The Fort Smith Historical Society had a called meeting May 31, 2006, at 2:00 PM in the board room of the Main Library. In the absence of the president, Billy Higgins, the meeting was called to order by the vice president, Ben Boulden.

Those attending were Jerry Hendricks, Pryor R. Cruce, Floyd Barger, Carole Barger, Ben Boulden, Becky Chancey, JP Chancey, Rena Westbrook, Jerry Akins, Clara Jane Rubarth, Charles Raney, Gene McVay, and Chloe Lamon.

Copies of the minutes of the last meeting held on April 21, 2006, were handed out and reviewed by the board. A motion to accept the minutes as read was made, seconded, and approved unanimously.

The treasurer's report was not available.

There was discussion of an offer by Boreham Library to digitize the Journal for online access by the general public. There were questions of the possible loss of income from the sale of back issues, if out of town members would quit subscribing, or if it would generate more interest in Journal sales. Carole Barger thinks it would not affect regular sales. It would still be less expensive to purchase a Journal than to download the entire volume. Jerry Hendricks asked how many are sold each year. Sales fluctuate, 3 or 4 complete sets are usually sold, and several single Journals. It was suggested that those with UAFS library cards could access free, and that we ask for free access to their materials. There were suggestions that we stay a year behind in running the Journals online, that we sell articles on line for $1.00 each, or $5.00 for the whole Journal, of setting it up to be paid by credit card, and of selling CD's. It was suggested that we have a commttee talk with someone from UAFS, and that we compose a list of questions to send to Billy Higgins, such as copywrite laws, family loans of pictures and articles, if anything submitted would become the property of the journal, etc.?

Carole handed out an Equipment and Supply Proposal listing items we need for the WWII Veterans Oral History Project. This included a 20 inch 2
Gig iMac computer to produce DVD's, QuarkSpress software to work on the Journal, 2 microphones w/stands, and a tripod and scanner. She discussed the need to get merchants involved with funding, and asked the board's OK to make a presentation to the Neighborhood Market, which can
also be used for other merchants. A move was made, seconded, and approved unanimously to prepare the presentation.

There was discussion of the need to apply for a grant for further funding. Carole and Joe Wasson have been using their own funds on interviews. They have never sought a grant before, need help in filing the application, and they need board approval. A motion was made, seconded, and approved unanimously to apply for the grant.

There was a suggestion that we get the Library to archive the materials already collected.

Ben said that he had been asked to join the board of the Fort Smith Museum of History, and asked if there were any objections. There were none.

There was a discussion of when the new by-laws became effective. It was noted that one of the board members, Deloris McMillan, had not attended meetings for nearly 3 years. A motion was made, seconded, and approved
unanimously to drop her from the board.

The next regular meeting of the Historical Society will be on July 19 at the Main Library. Ben asked if we could change the time from 2 to 5 p.m.. There was no objection to the time change.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by the Vice
President, Ben Boulden.

Respectfully submitted, Chloe Lamon, Recording Secretary