Historical Commission Agenda and Packet 2023 07 19

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Historical Commission Agenda May 17, 2023 Page 2 of 2 7. Gordon Madonna — Original black and white photos of Louisville Grade School, digitized photo of first house built in Bella Vista subdivision D. Advice sought on donations of other artifacts being offered: No advice sought XI. List of questions that the City Manager would like boards and commissions to discuss this month and report back on: The Commission discussed the following questions 1. What do you consider to be the purpose and role of your body? Do you have suggestions on changing that role in the future?: Commission members began by discussing what the bylaws say about the Commission being an advisory board to City Council. They stated that they felt that based on this, one of their main purposes is to advocate for the Historical Museum. There are not always things for them to advocate about, but even if there isn't something big to bring to City Council's attention, the Commission can consider sending someone to speak at a City Council meeting to invite people to attend Museum programs such as the annual vintage baseball game. The Commission considers another of their main roles to be representing the public and giving feedback to the Museum staff. Commission members feel that they connect the Museum to the community by being a sounding board for the Museum and by sharing information about Museum projects and programs. The members observed that they are not a working board and nor are they a controversial board, but they feel strongly that the Commission provides an important service to the City and to the community. 2. What have been your greatest successes? What about your greatest failures?: Because the Historical Commission is not a working board and is not project -oriented, the members said that they don't think about what they do in terms of successes or failures. Rather, their role instead is to provide feedback to the Museum, provide guidance, and ask questions. However, one thing that the Commission members pointed to as definitely being a success is the Pioneer Award program that recognizes individuals and organizations who have "pioneered" and contributed to the welfare and success of the Louisville community. (The award is presented at the Chamber of Commerce awards dinner, then it also appears in the Louisville Historian and other Museum communications, on the Museum website, and in social media). It was mentioned that in recent years, the Commission has selected people who are currently involved in working for the betterment of the city as opposed to people who lived a long time ago. It was noted that the Pioneer Award brings positive recognition to the recipients, the Historical Commission, and the