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ACROSS THE BOARD
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St. Louis
Science Center constantly changing, like science itself.
By Pam Droog
With the grand reopening of the James S. McDonnell Planetarium behind
them, one would think the board members of the St. Louis Science
Center could relax. But since the remodeled, 38-year-old attraction
debuted on June 22, attendance has soared. In fact, in July, more
than 50,000 people experienced the Planetarium’s new space station.
thus the Science Center served 241,000 people in July alone — 50,000
more than last year at the same time. And that means the hardworking
board also is busier than ever.
Above:
With the grand reopening of the James S. McDonnell Planetarium behind
them, one would think the board members of the St. Louis Science
Center could relax. But since the remodeled, 38-year-old attraction
debuted on June 22, attendance has soared. In fact, in July, more
than 50,000 people experienced the Planetarium’s new space station.
thus the Science Center served 241,000 people in July alone — 50,000
more than last year at the same time. And that means the hardworking
board also is busier than ever.
“This certainly tests the organization,” says C. Ray Holman, chairman
of Mallinckrodt, Inc. and chairman of the Board of Commissioners
at the Science Center. “But these are wonderful problems to have,
especially when you’re dealing with people so eager to enjoy and
learn about science.”
Actually, the Science Center has two boards, commissioners and trustees.
By law, the 14-member Board of Commissioners includes seven appointed
by the Mayor of the City of St. Louis and seven by the St. Louis
County executive. “They are the core of the operation. They act
as the executive committee of a larger board,” says Doug King, president
and CEO of the Science Center. “The commissioners listen to our
recommendations as representatives of the public, since the taxpayers
own the Science Center.” Commissioners meet quarterly to review
and approve policies and budgets. They can serve two four-year terms.
But, since 14 people are not enough to do everything that must be
done, the Board of Trustees was created. There’s no limit on the
number of trustees, which now number around 60. They also meet quarterly,
and can serve up to four two-year terms. Jerry Ritter is the president
of the Board of Trustees.
“Trustees serve on operating committees, along with commissioners
and volunteers, and that’s where the real work gets done,” King
says. “But we make no distinction between trustees and commissioners.
We need them all.”
Most commissioners start as trustees, but there’s not a direct progression,
King notes. To keep the slots filled, an active nominating committee
looks for a broad cross-section of business and community leaders,
educators and scientists.
“We try to have people who are professionally competent and personally
compatible, and I think we’ve accomplished that with our board.”
Holman says. He points out Science Center commissioners include
five Civic Progress CEOs and two former presidents of the St. Louis
School Board. There are also six African Americans, and the next
chairman after Holman is a woman, Donna Wilkinson, president of
The Wilkinson Group, Inc. “I think that speaks well to our commitment
to diversity and the talent we have on our board,” Holman says.
Besides talent, Science Center commissioners must commit two other
“t’s,” time and treasure, Holman adds. “Each individual has unique
and very important talents. And, let’s face it, we want board members
to contribute financially to the extent their resources permit.”
Board members’ financial support went a long way toward raising
the $13 million required for the Planetarium renovation. The project
kicked off with three large gifts from the John F. McDonnell and
James S. McDonnell families, The Boeing Company and Mr. and Mrs.
William R. Orthwein Jr. Other corporations, foundations and individuals
also contributed.
Overall, the Science Center has an objective to have a positive
cash flow of $2 million annually. Holman explains, 40 percent of
its funds come from operations, like OMNIMAX® admissions, and 20
percent from individual/corporate donations and memberships. “The
other 40 percent comes from the Zoo-Museum Tax District, which is
a very important and stable source of revenue, but it doesn’t go
up as fast as general spending or organizational needs,” he says.
As a result, fundraising is a key aspect of board members’ activities.
“We’re always accessing their thoughtful input regarding who they
know,” King says. They also help plan the Science Center’s biennial
gala, The Big Bang, set for Dec. 8 in the new StarBay at the Planetarium.
The previous gala raised more than $400,000 through a combination
of individual and corporate support.
The board also is engaged in strategic planning for now through
2006. “The future changes almost daily with scientific and technological
advances,” King says. “That compels us to examine everything we
do and look at our needs for the future.”
Specifically, King says, besides making sure the Science Center
is fun, the board must make sure the Science Center fulfills its
educational mission—particularly since the economy increasingly
will be driven by science and technology.
“We’re going to need a qualified technological work force, so a
lot of our growth has been and will continue to be in developing
offsite opportunities,” King says. “We’re taking our programs to
the people.” The Science Center has formed partnerships with Compton-Drew
Investigative Learning Center, a magnet school next door, plus many
other regional school districts, YMCAs and community organizations
to provide customized science education programs. A special emphasis
is on stimulating minority students and women to consider pursuing
careers in science and technology.
The bottom line is, “science, if presented the wrong way, truly
can be a boring turnoff to young people who make up their minds
against it at an early age,” Holman says. “But the board believes
people can come away with a positive feeling toward science and
technology after just a few hours at the Science Center.”
Pam Droog is a St. Louis-based free-lance writer. |
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