by Terri Torres
Meeting was held at Dameron Hospital's conference room A. Those in attendance were Mel LaGasca, Virgie Melear, Anita Bautista, Bob Cabigas and Terri Torres. Also in attendance were guests Manuel Fernandez of Manuel Fernandez and Associates of Oakland, Nat Duenas of NJG Duenas International of Burlingame, Dan Mendoza of eCashExpress in San Francisco, Vince Wong and Burt Gabriel -- all members of a design consultant team.
Mel LaGasca welcomed the group and after introductions, gave a brief history of FANHS and our museum project.
The consultant team is interested in helping us and is also interested in working with the Little Manila Foundation. They told the committee how they could be of service to our group and gave examples of other projects they had worked on. They talked about what steps our group would have to go through to have a museum in the Little Manila area.
Their suggestions included creating a "master plan" that would be presented before the City Council (which would include ideas for drawing in the community and regional visitors to the museum which would also be beneficial for the Little Manila area), creating short term and long term goals, working with the Little Manila Foundation group, checking with Stockton's Redevelopment Agency and Economic Development Agency and other city agencies for support, and getting the support of the area's Filipino organizations.
They suggest that the consultant team could be hired by the city to make the "master plan" of our museum and the Little Manila Foundation a realization.
Mel explained that our next step was to communicate with our National FANHS office and to obtain legal assistance to finalize the museum bylaws and proposal before we could consultant with the team again.
Mel thanked the consultants for their time and help and offered to take them on a tour of the Filipino Plaza and the Little Manila area after the meeting.
Terri informed the team the next Little Manila Foundation meeting was scheduled for March 9 and that she would send them a reminder notice when applicable. She also stated that she would speak with those in charge of the Little Manila Foundation to explain the consultant team's interest in the two projects.
Meeting was adjourned at 12 PM. Next meeting will be March 2, 2002, in the same place after the regular chapter meeting.
Meeting was held at its new scheduled meeting place -- Dameron Hospital Conference Room A. Those in attendance were Deanna and Moreno Balantac, Virgie Melear, Anita Bautista, Terri Torres and Mel LaGasca.
It was brought to order at 10:20 AM by Mel LaGasca.
Virgie Melear reported that the balance of the Museum Fund CD was $6,514.54 as of 10/1/01.
Mel reviewed what he had reported at the Central Valley Chapter's meeting that was held on Nov. 18. He brought them up to date on our current status and asked for their views regarding the project. The CV Chapter's main concerns were ownership of the project, how the funds for the project would be handled and raised, and how much involvement National FANHS would have. Mel stated at that meeting and at this meeting that he would contact National again for clarification of these matters.
Terri Torres suggested that Mel also ask Art Villarruz and Dorothy Cordova to put the museum project on the next Trustee meeting's agenda for further discussion and clarification.
Mel reviewed the "Action Items Timeline" that he had passed out in September and how much progress we had done to date. We still need to finalize the Museum Bylaws and need help with the legal matters. He reviewed the floor plans that he had drafted for the museum and the money generating ideas on how to sustain the museum once it is operational.
Mel suggested that each committee member keep track of any expenses they incur due to this project for accountability.
Mel stated he would write an article for our chapter's January 2002 newsletter that would contain updated information regarding the project.
Anita Bautista gave Mel information regarding the Wong House (Ente Mansion) as a possible site for our museum. It is already a registered historical landmark and it can't be remodeled structurally, but it could be redecorated. Mel will check into it.
Virgie Melear gave Mel information from Maria Vea about a person who might have funds to donate to our project. Mel will keep this information for future reference to use once we have a grant proposal drafted.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:45 AM.
Next meeting will be January 5, 2002, 10 AM at Dameron Hospital, Conference Room A