River Falls Library Foundation Minutes September 2026

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Call to order: President Rita Kozak called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.

Present: Rita Kozak, Anna Zalusky, Mary Baumgartner, Linda Jacobson, Patricia La Rue, Sarah Nelson, Linda Vivoda-Sadee, Tanya Misselt (Library Director, Ex-Officio), Library Board Trustee Rebecca Ferguson. Linda Jacobson.

Absent: Callie Trautmiller

Approval of meeting minutes:  Motion to approve the meeting minutes from June 24, 2026.  Theresa moved to approve the minutes, Mary seconded. Motion passed.

Financial report:  Sarah reported.  Provided all the requested information to the accountant to perform the audit.  Expecting additional information will be needed.  Return will be due mid-November.  Reconciliation has been completed with Tanya and Alice regarding campaign donations, withdraws and purpose.  Balance of campaign account with Edward Jones is $327,680 including interest.  Sarah provided a snapshot of where our balances were as of August. Checking account $16,000, all donations go in there then the Capital Campaign donations go over to the Capital Campaign account.  We have about $899,000 in the St. Croix Valley Foundation.  We have an Edward Jones account, 3.5-4% interest, $12,000.  And our Foundation investment account with $370,000.  Financial highlights.  Service charge for the movie theater check which went uncashed, and then cashed after we sent second check.  Sarah has a collection of cards for a promotional done regarding the Foundation.

Rita questioned about “what after the audit”, we start again in February. Rita commended Sarah for how much effort she has had to put into getting this audit done.  Many questions, many hours, much digging for the information needed.  Sarah graciously accepted the praise.  Sarah warned that the accountant may give us her “findings.”

Membership report: Linda Jacobson had not arrived yet.  One new member.  Sarah mentioned that it would be nice to know who our members are, or those who gave donations.  We don’t know who these folks are.  We don’t need the dollar amount just want to be able acknowledge their support.  All agreed that it would be nice to recognize the members and donors but question of how to handle the information.  To be discussed in the future.

Library Director report: Tanya Misselt.  Starting to get programing up and running.  Provided flyers and promo literature of what is coming up.  Went over the various events.  $169,000 received in additional flexible facilities program has been received and must to be spent, product must have arrived, invoiced and paid by November 30th to collect the funds.  Another grant has been completed to a donor who invited us to apply. Did not achieve a full million for the endowment with the Foundation.  We’ll have $250,000, a good seed.  Continue to develop.  Further to discuss in January letter.  Rita asked if that would create two funds?  Specify to the endowment or a general contribution.  Sarah offered to keep it as Capital Campaign or Foundation donation.  Tanya stated that unless there is a tax reason, the Capital Campaign is over at the end of 2026.  To be revisited.  Inspire people to donate more.  We will come back to it.

As the Library Board is scheduled to have their last meeting in December, suggest to have a joint meeting to celebrate.  We need to acknowledge that we did something incredible.  Rita stated that we have business to attend to because there will be those who will be leaving the Board.  Monday, December 7th, is the Trustee meeting, the Foundation meets later in the month.  All agree that it sounds like a good idea.

Discussion on the design of the Foundation refrigerator magnet.  Created by Alice.

Solarium we need more fire extinguishers to pass inspection.

Old Business:

Discussion on annual or lifetime memberships.  Lifetime memberships are easier, but annual memberships encourage additional funds to be donated.  Raise the amount.  It is currently at $10.  Raise it to $20 for both individuals and family.

Annual appeal plans. Sending letters out, need template, send out in December.  Discuss in January.  Don’t have a November meeting, so end of October.  Letter goes out 2nd or 3rd week in January.  Need info by October meeting, review the letter in October.  Then get comments from everybody.

Board positions for 2027.  Discussion.  Rita will not be returning.  Callie will be back until end of 2027.  Sarah will return, up for another two years.  Linda through 2017 and will stay on.  Anna through 2027 and will stay on.  Other Linda is up in December, will return.  Patricia done in December and will be returning as will Mary and Theresa.  We have some open positions on the Board, but we have enough.  Any new names bring to October meeting.  Will discuss President position.  This has been a tough year, more work than normal during this Capital Campaign and audit.

Tech Petting Zoo is up and scheduled.  3-D printer is out.

Future Business:

Map sale was discussed and determined to be more work than the value.

Philanthropy education maybe next Spring but not for right now.

Lorraine Davis and Mary may go to The Sycamore (Senior living) to have a table about the Foundation. This would be in October.

Returned to discussion of names of donors and members to acknowledge.  Discussion of putting in the newsletter.  Odd time, need to recognize donors, but they have gone to the Capital Campaign.  Library cannot publicize the name.  People purposely bought to have their name on the rooms, and wall.  This is just for or us to know who they are.  For an example, Linda’s mom was a donor for so long and the Foundation didn’t even know that.  Will discuss just having the names available so we can thank them.

Discussion returned to the design of the refrigerator magnet.  Order more like 250 and not 500.  Hand out from the tables we attend at awareness events.  Keep the word support on the magnet.  Decided no. 1, with “proud supporter” on the magnet . Foundation member gives them out as they see fit.  There is a small QR code on the magnet.  All agree that Alice did a phenomenal job on the magnets.

Theresa will attend the Board of Trustees meeting in October.

Mary will attend the November Board of Trustees meeting.

December is our clean up month but if a Trustee member wants to attend our December meeting they are welcome but not necessary.

No additional business.  Linda J. moved to adjourn, Linda V. seconded.  All approve meeting ended at 7:18 p.m.