On February 8, 2010, The Landmark Society Board of Trustees approved a motion to cease museum operations at the Campbell-Whittlesey house on July 1, 2010, and to begin active marketing of the property in August.
The decision to close the house museum at Campbell-Whittlesey is the end result of over five years of strategic planning and in-depth studies of opportunities for the property’s use.
We’re holding a public meeting to welcome ideas for adaptive re-use of the site. It’s important to note that we all remain committed to the exploration of viable options that support the proper stewardship and the maintenance of the integrity of this historic treasure.
The meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. We will meet in the 8th floor conference room of the Powers Building located at 16 West Main Street, in Rochester. The meeting will be facilitated by our consultant, Laura Roberts. Trustees and staff will be on hand to answer question on the process – but the main focus of the meeting will be to gather public input on the re-use of the site, while maintaining the architectural integrity of this amazing Greek Revival house.
Parking is available at the Sister Cities Garage located at 28 North Fitzhugh Street, at a rate of $1.00 an hour. Although the Powers Building has several points of entry, the only entrance provided for our meeting will be through the 3rd level skyway positioned at the southeast corner of the Sister Cities Garage. Several greeters will be strategically stationed to assist attendees with navigation to the 8th floor conference room until 5:45 p.m. Please RSVP by calling Carolyn at 546-7029 x 10 or chaygood@landmarksociety.org
The Landmark Society: Revitalizing Yesterday, Protecting Today, and Planning for Tomorrow
www.landmarksociety.org
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Closure for NYS Parks and Historic Sites Proposed
The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today put forward a recommended list of closures and service reductions in order to achieve its 2010-11 agency savings target and help address the State's historic fiscal difficulties.
Governor David A. Paterson issued the following statement:
"New York faces an historic fiscal crisis of unprecedented magnitude. It has demanded many difficult but necessary decisions to help ensure the fiscal integrity of our State. The unfortunate reality of closing an $8.2 billion deficit is that there is less money available for many worthy services and programs. In an environment when we have to cut funding to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and social services, no area of State spending, including parks and historic sites, could be exempt from reductions. We cannot mortgage our State's financial future through further gimmicks or avoidance behavior. Spending cuts, however difficult, are needed in order to put New York on the road to fiscal recovery. Going forward through the budget process, I look forward to a productive dialogue with the Legislature on parks and historic sites, as well as other issues."
OPRHP Commissioner Carol Ash issued the following statement:
"The 2010-11 Executive Budget included reductions to every area of State spending. As such, the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation has today put forward proposed closures and service reductions to meet its agency savings target. These actions were not recommended lightly, but they are necessary to address our State's extraordinary fiscal difficulties."
###
A fact sheet on the proposed closures and service reductions is included below:
The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today put forward a list of closures and service reductions in order to achieve its proposed 2010-11 agency savings target and help address the State's historic fiscal difficulties. As part of a comprehensive plan to close an $8.2 billion deficit, the 2010-11 Executive Budget included necessary cost reductions to each executive State agency, as well as cuts to education, health care, social services, and every other area of State spending.
OPRHP's plan includes the closure of 41 parks and 14 historic sites, and service reductions at 23 parks and 1 historic site.
The plan also assumes $4 million in park and historic site fee increases that will be identified at a later date, and the use of $5 million in funds from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to finance OPRHP operations. These two actions were part of the 21-day amendments to the Executive Budget and are intended to reduce the number of parks and historic sites subject to closures and service reductions.
Specific recommended closures and service reductions are detailed here.
Governor David A. Paterson issued the following statement:
"New York faces an historic fiscal crisis of unprecedented magnitude. It has demanded many difficult but necessary decisions to help ensure the fiscal integrity of our State. The unfortunate reality of closing an $8.2 billion deficit is that there is less money available for many worthy services and programs. In an environment when we have to cut funding to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and social services, no area of State spending, including parks and historic sites, could be exempt from reductions. We cannot mortgage our State's financial future through further gimmicks or avoidance behavior. Spending cuts, however difficult, are needed in order to put New York on the road to fiscal recovery. Going forward through the budget process, I look forward to a productive dialogue with the Legislature on parks and historic sites, as well as other issues."
OPRHP Commissioner Carol Ash issued the following statement:
"The 2010-11 Executive Budget included reductions to every area of State spending. As such, the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation has today put forward proposed closures and service reductions to meet its agency savings target. These actions were not recommended lightly, but they are necessary to address our State's extraordinary fiscal difficulties."
###
A fact sheet on the proposed closures and service reductions is included below:
The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today put forward a list of closures and service reductions in order to achieve its proposed 2010-11 agency savings target and help address the State's historic fiscal difficulties. As part of a comprehensive plan to close an $8.2 billion deficit, the 2010-11 Executive Budget included necessary cost reductions to each executive State agency, as well as cuts to education, health care, social services, and every other area of State spending.
OPRHP's plan includes the closure of 41 parks and 14 historic sites, and service reductions at 23 parks and 1 historic site.
The plan also assumes $4 million in park and historic site fee increases that will be identified at a later date, and the use of $5 million in funds from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to finance OPRHP operations. These two actions were part of the 21-day amendments to the Executive Budget and are intended to reduce the number of parks and historic sites subject to closures and service reductions.
Specific recommended closures and service reductions are detailed here.
Oishei program focuses on basics
Buffalo Business First reported that the region’s largest private foundation has launched an initiative aimed at addressing basic human needs.
The John R. Oishei Foundation has invested $1 million in the initiative, designed to help residents find the help they need right in their own backyards.
The program will include three traveling teams comprised of nonprofit professionals with expertise in human and social services. The teams who will move throughout Erie and Niagara counties over the next two years, spending up to a month in each community.
Each team will work directly with agencies which already deliver services in the local areas to identify existing services as well as service gaps. At the end of each month in the given community, the team will hold a week-long community resource event to assist individuals and families who require human services support. Read more here.
The John R. Oishei Foundation has invested $1 million in the initiative, designed to help residents find the help they need right in their own backyards.
The program will include three traveling teams comprised of nonprofit professionals with expertise in human and social services. The teams who will move throughout Erie and Niagara counties over the next two years, spending up to a month in each community.
Each team will work directly with agencies which already deliver services in the local areas to identify existing services as well as service gaps. At the end of each month in the given community, the team will hold a week-long community resource event to assist individuals and families who require human services support. Read more here.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
FREE Information Sessions on Filing the 990
The NY Council of Nonprofits' national partner, the National Council of Nonprofits, is offering two FREE webinars for you and your board members!
Get Ready, Get Set, Go! IRS Filing Requirements for Charitable Nonprofits
Two national webinars: February 23 and March 23, 2010
Register Now
Are you prepared for this year's tax filing deadline? Did you know that tax-exempt organizations could have their status revoked for not filing the annual Form 990? The National Council of Nonprofits will host two free webinars presented by the IRS for nonprofit organizations to learn about the resources available and answer questions about filing your IRS Form 990.
These webinars will include:
Get Ready, Get Set, Go! IRS Filing Requirements for Charitable Nonprofits
Two national webinars: February 23 and March 23, 2010
Register Now
Are you prepared for this year's tax filing deadline? Did you know that tax-exempt organizations could have their status revoked for not filing the annual Form 990? The National Council of Nonprofits will host two free webinars presented by the IRS for nonprofit organizations to learn about the resources available and answer questions about filing your IRS Form 990.
These webinars will include:
- Critical steps to take now in order to protect and preserve your tax exemption.
- Review of the filing requirements for nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, and the consequences of not filing (or filing an incomplete) Form 990-series return. Tax-exempt organizations now stand to lose their tax-exempt status if they do not file the Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N (e-postcard) for three consecutive years-these revocations will begin in 2010).
"Learn from the Experts: What Forms Must Nonprofit, Tax-Exempt Organizations File to Meet IRS Requirements and Preserve Tax Exempt Status?"
Tuesday, February 23
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Eastern
- What forms are tax-exempt organizations required to file with the IRS annually?
- What information is required to be reported on the forms?
- Why your organization may need to file NOW, so that it won't lose its tax-exempt status
- How to file complete, accurate returns to avoid IRS penalties.
There is no charge for nonprofit organizations or their board members for these webinars. Advance registration is required by February 22, 2010.
"Hear from the IRS: What The IRS Has Learned After One Year With the Redesigned Form 990"
Tuesday, March 23
3:30 pm - 4:30pm Eastern
- What trends has the IRS observed in the first season of redesigned Form 990 filing?
- What mistakes are most commonly being made by nonprofits on the redesigned Form 990?
- What can a nonprofit do to streamline the filing process?
- What are the answers to frequently asked questions about completing the 990?
There is no charge for nonprofit organizations or their board members for these webinars. Advance registration is required by March 22, 2010.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Some leaders optimistic about 2010
The Buffalo News reported that more local business leaders are optimistic heading into 2010 than they were last year, but the majority in the Buffalo Niagara region still expect things to stay gloomy or get worse, according to a survey released Wednesday.
A survey commissioned by First Niagara Bank and conducted by the Siena College Research Institute questioned business heads on their feelings about current economic conditions in their industries and in New York State, as well as their expectations for the year to come.
“We’re moving in the right direction, but we have a long way to go,” said Donald Levy, director at the Siena College Research Institute. “We are in the beginning of a slow, cautious recovery, but the general public will not feel the benefits of it immediately.”
In the poll’s overall business confidence index of 0 to 200, Buffalo Niagara scored a 79.6. That’s a 113-percent increase over last year’s score of 37.2.
When asked just about their future expectations, Buffalo Niagara scored an 87.4, increasing 88 percent over last year.
Of those surveyed, 25 percent of business leaders here said they believe business conditions in New York State will improve, more than twice as many as felt that way heading into 2009.
And while 46 percent expect conditions to get worse, that number is down from 75 percent last year. And another 28 percent expect conditions to remain the same in 2010. Read more here.
A survey commissioned by First Niagara Bank and conducted by the Siena College Research Institute questioned business heads on their feelings about current economic conditions in their industries and in New York State, as well as their expectations for the year to come.
“We’re moving in the right direction, but we have a long way to go,” said Donald Levy, director at the Siena College Research Institute. “We are in the beginning of a slow, cautious recovery, but the general public will not feel the benefits of it immediately.”
In the poll’s overall business confidence index of 0 to 200, Buffalo Niagara scored a 79.6. That’s a 113-percent increase over last year’s score of 37.2.
When asked just about their future expectations, Buffalo Niagara scored an 87.4, increasing 88 percent over last year.
Of those surveyed, 25 percent of business leaders here said they believe business conditions in New York State will improve, more than twice as many as felt that way heading into 2009.
And while 46 percent expect conditions to get worse, that number is down from 75 percent last year. And another 28 percent expect conditions to remain the same in 2010. Read more here.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Recent Thefts in Museums Highlight Need for More Security and Risk Management
This was a recent message from the Upstate History Alliance in response to recent increase in museum thefts in NYS:
Hello UHA members,
In light of the recent news and the number of thefts at museums and historical societies in NY we thought this might be an opportunity to share some museum security resources and start a discussion on how we can best protect our collections. Below are some resources provided by the American Association of Museums to get us started.
What are your best prevention resources? Please share them with us. Do you train your volunteers on security issues? What are you own procedures?
Theft
The Association of College & Research Libraries (a division of the American Library Association) issued Guidelines Regarding Theft in Libraries. The guidelines outline ways to prevent theft and steps to take after a theft has been discovered. An appendix has a list of networking resources for protection and recovery.
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/standards/guidelinesregardingthefts.cfm
The Museum Security Network has an article on Surviving a Collection Loss:
Working with Law Enforcement. It offers tips to prevent loss and actions to
take after a theft to assist in recovering the property. It also offers a
compilation of agencies and websites for reporting stolen property
http://www.museum-security.org/donh.htm
http://www.museum-security.org/
Security
The American Society for Industrial Security provides General Security Risk Assessment Guidelines (PDF). This 26-page document outlines a 7-step process for identifying security risks and developing appropriate solutions. Though not specific to museums, the principles are applicable. It includes a glossary of terms, a process flow chart, and a bibliography.
http://www.tisp.org/index.cfm?pk=download&id=10948&pid=10261
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (UK) offers Security in Museums, Archives and Libraries: A Practical Guide (PDF). This 182-page comprehensive publication addresses building security, alarms, retail security, personal security, bag searches, key control, operating procedures, contractors, couriers, security staff, and crisis management planning. It includes sample forms for reporting incidents and crimes. It also has information about the government indemnity program that is specific to the UK. The Council partners with other cultural organizations to present Collections Link, a website with practical advice and short fact sheets on security topics, such as the use of CCTV, advice for architects and planners, and
display cases.
http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/take_care_of_security
The Northeast Document Conservation Center has a technical leaflet on Collections Security: Planning and Prevention for Libraries & Archives.
It discusses strategies for preventing theft and vandalism of collections, responding to a breach of security, and creating an effective security plan.
It includes a sample patron registration form, a sample procedures information sheet, and a lengthy bibliography.
http://www.nedcc.org/resources/leaflets/3Emergency_Management/11CollectionsSecurity.php
Hello UHA members,
In light of the recent news and the number of thefts at museums and historical societies in NY we thought this might be an opportunity to share some museum security resources and start a discussion on how we can best protect our collections. Below are some resources provided by the American Association of Museums to get us started.
What are your best prevention resources? Please share them with us. Do you train your volunteers on security issues? What are you own procedures?
Theft
The Association of College & Research Libraries (a division of the American Library Association) issued Guidelines Regarding Theft in Libraries. The guidelines outline ways to prevent theft and steps to take after a theft has been discovered. An appendix has a list of networking resources for protection and recovery.
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/standards/guidelinesregardingthefts.cfm
The Museum Security Network has an article on Surviving a Collection Loss:
Working with Law Enforcement. It offers tips to prevent loss and actions to
take after a theft to assist in recovering the property. It also offers a
compilation of agencies and websites for reporting stolen property
http://www.museum-security.org/donh.htm
http://www.museum-security.org/
Security
The American Society for Industrial Security provides General Security Risk Assessment Guidelines (PDF). This 26-page document outlines a 7-step process for identifying security risks and developing appropriate solutions. Though not specific to museums, the principles are applicable. It includes a glossary of terms, a process flow chart, and a bibliography.
http://www.tisp.org/index.cfm?pk=download&id=10948&pid=10261
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (UK) offers Security in Museums, Archives and Libraries: A Practical Guide (PDF). This 182-page comprehensive publication addresses building security, alarms, retail security, personal security, bag searches, key control, operating procedures, contractors, couriers, security staff, and crisis management planning. It includes sample forms for reporting incidents and crimes. It also has information about the government indemnity program that is specific to the UK. The Council partners with other cultural organizations to present Collections Link, a website with practical advice and short fact sheets on security topics, such as the use of CCTV, advice for architects and planners, and
display cases.
http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/take_care_of_security
The Northeast Document Conservation Center has a technical leaflet on Collections Security: Planning and Prevention for Libraries & Archives.
It discusses strategies for preventing theft and vandalism of collections, responding to a breach of security, and creating an effective security plan.
It includes a sample patron registration form, a sample procedures information sheet, and a lengthy bibliography.
http://www.nedcc.org/resources/leaflets/3Emergency_Management/11CollectionsSecurity.php
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Survey to understand environmental interests of WNY
The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has created a survey to understand the environmental interests of the WNY public. This information will help guide the development of a new website for Western New Yorkers interested in environmental news and activities.
Complete this survey by January 15, 2010 and be entered to win an iPod nano or $100! To be eligible to win a survey prize, you must live in Western New York.
The survey can be completed at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/wny-environmental-issues-and-news.
Complete this survey by January 15, 2010 and be entered to win an iPod nano or $100! To be eligible to win a survey prize, you must live in Western New York.
The survey can be completed at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/wny-environmental-issues-and-news.
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