0404brca1

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

TO:	The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents
FROM:	Kathy A. Ahearn
COMMITTEE:	Full Board
TITLE OF ITEM:	Summary recommendations with respect to charter applications
DATE OF SUBMISSION:	March 29, 2004
PROPOSED HANDLING:	Approval (Consent Agenda)
RATIONALE FOR ITEM:	Granting of charter applications pursuant to statutory authority
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goal 2
AUTHORIZATION(S):

SUMMARY:

Attached are summary recommendations with respect to charter applications. A total of 4 charter actions are recommended involving 4 institutions, including 2 museums and 2 historical societies.

I recommend that the Regents approve each application in accordance with the recommendations contained in the respective summaries.

l. Cultural Education

PROVISIONAL CHARTERS

No. 1

JUDAIC CENTER FOR HISTORY AND CULTURE OF CENTRAL NEW YORK

Syracuse, Onondaga County

The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to preserve the history of Jews in the Central New York community and the surrounding area; to encourage the growth of local Jewish culture and provide a variety of services and programs not provided by other Jewish organizations; to gather, collect, own, hold, preserve, exhibit, display and make available for study artifacts, books, manuscripts, photographs, historical documents, films and other records and materials relating to the history and culture of Jewish people in the Central New York area; to bring together those people interested in local Jewish history, encourage public interest in that history, and sponsor historical meetings, programs and events, sponsor exhibits, and issue publications, utilizing all means of communication including printed materials, electronic mail, videoconferencing and website information; to create organizational ties to other local and national Jewish groups, libraries, museums, and like organizations, and to work to bring their resources to Syracuse; and to provide assistance to individuals and groups doing research using the materials maintained by the corporation, internet resources, or relationships developed by the center with other Jewish cultural and historical organizations. Clifford A. Siegfried, David W. Palmquist and the Office of Cultural Education recommend that a provisional charter be granted for a period of five years.

No. 2

MARSHALL HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Deansboro, Oneida County

The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to promote and encourage original historical research; to disseminate and encourage a greater knowledge of the history of the state of New York and particularly of the town of Marshall and its environs; to gather, preserve, display and make available for study artifacts, relics, books, manuscripts, papers, photographs, and other records and materials relating to the history of the state of New York and particularly of the town of Marshall and the surrounding area; to encourage the suitable marking of places of historic interest; and to acquire by purchase, gift, devise, or otherwise the title to or the custody and control of historic sites and structures, and to preserve and maintain such sites and structures. Clifford A. Siegfried, David W. Palmquist and the Office of Cultural Education recommend that a provisional charter be granted for a period of five years.

No. 3

NORTH TONAWANDA HISTORY MUSEUM

North Tonawanda, Niagara County

The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to procure, collect, care for and display objects of lasting interest or value pertaining to the history of the people and community life of North Tonawanda in an institution open to the general public, and carrying on activities that foster a better understanding of that history; to maintain a website devoted to the history and community life of North Tonawanda and the museum; to publish brochures, booklets, newsletters, and other material concerning the history and community life of North Tonawanda and the museum; to publish brochures, booklets, newsletters and other material concerning the history and community life of North Tonawanda and the museum; to seek the preservation and maintenance of sites and structures important to the history and community life of North Tonawanda; to undertake education programs that promote a greater awareness, appreciation and knowledge of the history and community life of North Tonawanda by the general public; and to obtain, receive and administer funds for the above purposes. Clifford A. Siegfried, David W. Palmquist and the Office of Cultural Education recommend that a provisional charter be granted for a period of five years.

No. 4

ST. LAWRENCE POWER & EQUIPMENT MUSEUM

Rensselaer Falls, St. Lawrence County

The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to establish and operate a museum in St. Lawrence County, New York that will enable the public to view and understand the operation and utilization of antique engines, tractors, trucks, autos, machines, and equipment; to provide a better understanding to the public of the role of such mechanisms in the development of rural America; to exhibit, display, demonstrate, and show such mechanisms at field days, fairs, exhibitions, and other public programs; to preserve, maintain, repair, reconstruct, refurbish, recondition and overhaul these mechanisms; and to promote the public’s interest in preserving such historic mechanisms. Clifford A. Siegfried, David W. Palmquist and the Office of Cultural Education recommend that a provisional charter be granted for a period of five years.

Regents Meeting

April 19 and 20, 2004

CHARTERS

CULTURAL EDUCATION

PROVISIONAL CHARTERS

1. Judaic Center for History and Culture of Central New York , Syracuse

2. Marshall Historical Society, Deansboro

3. North Tonawanda History Museum, North Tonawanda

4. St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum, Rensselaer Falls

The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents