The Manitoba Agricultural Museum held its 2009 annual general meeting March 20, 2010. Business included presenting the financial report for 2009, electing directors, committee reports, discussing camping arrangements on the grounds, traffic flows on the grounds during the reunion and a possible name change for the reunion.
2009 was a success financially for the museum and the financial committee reports that the museum is in the “black” with a small profit. The museum had a significant capital outlay in 2009 in the form of the grandstand roof which was erected in the summer of 2009. The finance committee also reports that between money that the museum had saved for the roof project over the years and various grants the museum received for this project, the costs of the roof have been met. There is some work remaining to do such as the addition of a skirt to the roof, reworking the grandstand electrical system and permanent mounting of the arena lights on the roof. The total costs of this project will be over $200,000. However, the roof makes the grandstand a more useable event facility as well as protecting the wooden grandstand from the elements and extending the grandstand’s life. The museum is looking for further events to utilize the grandstand and is open to renting out the facility. A local group rented the facility for an evening in August, 2009 in order to stage a benefit concert.
Dr. Gerald Dueck stepped down from the Presidency of the museum and the Board of Directors of the museum in January, 2010. The January board meeting represented the 106th board meeting for Gerald so Gerald has done a lot of work for the museum and citizens of Manitoba. The museum would like to take this occasion to thank Gerald for all the work and effort he has devoted to the museum. Chad Bodnarchuk stepped into the President’s position in January. Chad has been on the board for some time now and has a long experience with the museum, even working with the museum as a summer student.
Re-elected to the Board of Directors were Rosalie Beamish of Hamiota and Cory Christison of Brandon. Returning to the board after a hiatus of four years is Brad Moorehead of the Douglas. A fresh face to the board is Glen Lennox of Winnipeg, who also farms at Shoal Lake.
The various committees of the museum reported on their 2009 activities. The steam committee reports that non-destructive testing of boilers was carried out in 2009 as per regulation. The boilers on the operating engines at the museum – Case 50, Case 65, Case 110, Gaar Scot and Reeves engines- all passed. These engines are still subject to an annual inspection. The issues with the licensing of the lap seam boilers still continue. The committee is still hoping to resolve these issues with the various authorities who have jurisdiction over boilers and have the steam engines equipped with this type of boiler back in operation.
The tractor and equipment committee reports a successful year with various pieces of equipment that have not run in recent years being brought back to life. A new safety policy was in place in 2009 and was well received by volunteers and other operating machinery on the museum grounds. Everyone complied with the new rules.
The office reports staffing at the museum was challenging in 2009 with a number of long term staff moving on with their careers and lives to other jobs or motherhood. While the museum misses them, the museum must press on and has hired replacement staff. Eight summer students were employed in 2009 along with a further three young people with various other programs.
For the second year the museum is partnering with the Manitoba Arts Stabilization Inc in its program Performance Building. The museum accesses some funding and constructive advice and resources to assist in Board of Directors development. To qualify for this program the museum had to exhibit; realistic and achievable goals, no long term debt due to operating losses, a clear and focused artistic purpose supported by the community, at least one full time manager, an active governing board, , ongoing private sector support, long term planning and assessment processes, readiness and capacity to adapt to change, working capital reserves and community spirit. Working toward developing a stronger Board of Directors will serve the museum well as it moves into the future.
Finally the office is pleased to say the Hands On program run for schools was very popular with over 850 students taking part in the various activities of the Hands On program. Teachers have submitted surveys and the office is considering them in order to keep program fresh and interesting to the students and teachers.
The donations committee reports a variety of donations over the last year. On display at the annual general meeting was one 2009 donation of a large folding, display of actual plants of the various crop varieties grown pre World War One.
The Manitoba Agricultural Museum Auxiliary reports a successful and eventful 2009. The auxiliary also reported sad news of the passing of various members that were active over the years and will be sadly missed. They also report new members coming forward. The auxiliary catered lunches through the year, provided lunch and supper at the Hamfest and operated the dining hall at the reunion. Their hard work is gratefully appreciated. The Auxiliary donated $4,000 to the museum for the hiring of a summer student. The Auxiliary also undertook to make repairs and maintenance in the Homesteaders Village area of the museum.
The Reunion Ladies Activities saw another successful summer in 2009 and anticipate their 30th year of operation in 2010. The ladies continue to follow their mission by offering displays creating awareness of how women were a strong part of agricultural development over the years.
At the 2008 annual general meeting the board was directed to come up with some possible new names for the Threshermen’s Reunion and Stampede as Threshermen is a term no longer in common use in Manitoba. Reunion also implies an event not normally open to the public. The result is that many urban dwellers think the Threshermen’s Reunion is a reunion for the Threshermen family. A name change may make the annual event at the museum more appealing to urban dwellers such as in Winnipeg. As the museum has been authorized by the province to use Provincial Exhibition in its title, possible new names that were developed by the board included “The Manitoba Heritage Exhibition”and “Provincial Heritage Exhibition”, among other names. However after consideration by the museum members at the 2009 annual general meeting, the members indicated that the name Threshermen’s Reunion and Stampede should be retained.
As well as the name change volunteer camping on the grounds was discussed along with future plans regarding camping on the grounds. Traffic flows on the grounds during reunion were also discussed and an updated traffic plan presented. This plan was well received.
The AGM was then adjourned for lunch. With 2009 behind the museum, the museum is looking forward to 2010 which promises to be an exciting one with the Rumely Products Collectors Expo being held in conjunction with the reunion this year. Rumely collectors as far away as Alberta and various US states have indicated to the Rumely Expo committee they plan to attend along with their tractors. A very large Rumely plowing event at the Expo may be in the offing, so stay tuned! The Rumble on the Prairies in 2010 may be turning into Thunder!
