Durand Heritage Foundation Newsletter

Summer, 2003 Durand Heritage Foundation Newsletter
Foundation Business
DHF Board Reviews Projects and Makes
Plans at Spring Board Meeting
Board Members present at the meeting held April 26,
2003 at the home of Yvonne Cariveau in Mankato, Minnesota:
Mike Durand, President (03), John Durand,
Vice-president (03), Roger Durand, Secretary (03),
Yvonne Cariveau (04), Mary Kay (Durand Grant)
Brusegard (05)
Board Members Absent: Alice (Durand) Keppel,
Treasurer (04), Tom Bacig (04), Susanne (Durand
Foley) Krasovich (04), Richard Durand (04), Blanche
(Durand) Hammer (05)
Non-board Members Present: None
Mike Durand opened the meeting at 10:40 a.m.
Minutes
The minutes of the Fall meeting were approved.
Treasurer’s report
Alice Keppel forwarded the treasurer’s report for presentation
by Mike Durand. The bank balance on December
31, 2002 was $1,465. The board reviewed the
method of valuing inventory. A suggestion was made to
plot year-to-year expense, income, etc. for easier comparison.
The treasurer’s report was approved.
Election of Board of Directors members
No elections were held at this meeting. The secretary
noted that Mike Durand, John Durand, and Roger Durand
will be ending their terms as both officers and directors.
Mike Durand indicated that he will not seek reelection
as president. John Durand and Roger Durand
stated that they will continue to serve if re-elected.
Committee Reports
• Research Committee
Roger Durand reported that the research committee
has been inactive. However, Mike Durand and Roger
Durand met with Tom Bacig in Duluth in November
2002 and explored his varied interests and accomplishments.
The possibility of acquiring storage space at the
UM Duluth campus for the Foundation’s historical
documents was discussed with Bacig.
Yvonne Cariveau volunteered to co-chair the Research
Committee and suggested a meeting to establish areas of
research interest. It was agreed that if areas of focus
were identified, individuals could work independently to
gather information and present their work to the Foundation.
Roger Durand will host a meeting in early summer
to pursue this plan.
Mike Durand reported on his work with Ron Balding
to correct and revise Jean Durand et sa Posterite prior
to the next printing. Converting the document to digital
media will improve the quality and decrease printing
cost. The board agreed that the next edition should be of
“heirloom” quality that uses a standardized color
17
scheme for Foundation publications. Other considerations
included using hardcover bindings and adding a
list of descendant names.
• Records Committee
Blanche Hammer continues to update the family tree.
• Newsletter Committee
John Durand continues to edit the newsletter. His goal
of having “regional” editors is within reach. He expects
Ellen Durand Olson will accept the challenge of being
the regional editor for the “Wisconsin” Durands” and
that Diane Zimmer (Maurice Durand family) will represent
the western states. Roger Durand volunteered to be
regional editor for the “Minnesota Durands”—
descendants of Nazaire and Joseph Durand. After discussing
the editor’s workload it was agreed to continue
publishing the Newsletter four times per year.
• Membership Committee
Membership renewals continue at a favorable and expected
rate. The total member database includes 212
names. There were 17 new members in 2002 but only 3
to date in 2003. The memberships of some 48 members
are past due as of the end of 2002. These former members
are considered inactive and no longer receive the
Newsletter. However, they have all been sent a reminder
letter with a preaddressed return envelope. A considerable
number of memberships expire in 2003, which, if
renewed, should help to improve cash flow.
The board decided not to pursue a “referral” method of
soliciting potential members (see New Business below).
Old Business
Durand Foundation Website
Yvonne Cariveau reported the successful transition of
the Foundation’s host web site to her company’s servers.
The transfer will result in significant financial savings
and improvement in quality and content.
The board discussed the untapped capabilities available
to us through electronic media. Possibilities discussed
included email, advertising, storage and archiving
of photos, family narratives, and research newsgroups.
The board took no formal action as a result of
the discussion.
Acceptance of Advertising in Newsletter
At its Fall, 2002 meeting the board approved the solicitation
of advertising for the Newsletter and the website.
No ad agreements have been made to date.
New Business
Membership marketing campaign
Mike Durand volunteered to lead a marketing effort to
both attract new members and “spread the word” of our
existence. To date the Foundation has not targeted a
population of potential members for a mail campaign.
The board agreed to fund a mail campaign for up to
$150 to be implemented by Mike Durand. Yvonne
Caviveau offered to aid in designing a postcard or flyer.
(Continued on page 18)