September 2024 Update

Hello from Renton Historical Society,

Over the last few months, RHS has been hard at work developing the administrative infrastructure required to maintain a functional nonprofit organization. We’ve written new policies and procedures, and revised those of the past, to account for the operational separation and ensure consistent, sustainable work flow. All RHS liabilities have been made current, our quickbooks accounting has been modernized, and our relationship with KeyBank has been expanded to protect RHS assets from fraud. 

We’ve also successfully navigated the transition of account management. In the recent past, nearly all third party relationships were being managed through the Renton History Museum. However, RHS leadership has taken responsibility for these relationships and has been able to ensure continuity for the third parties that RHS relies on for day-to-day operations.

An example of this is one of RHS’s most consistent historical partners, 4Culture. This nonprofit has funded RHS efforts for over a decade through their Heritage Sustained Support grant. RHS leadership was tasked with meeting with 4Culture representatives to discuss the transition, and submitting our first independently written major grant. We’ve submitted, and will update you as soon as we hear back. 

Another mission critical development is that our star employee, Leigh Gath, has taken on the monumental task of moving the local copy of the artifact digital database to a modern, online version of the software. She has cleaned up the data and is working with PastPerfect to complete the transfer. The online copy may well be functional by December 2024 - far ahead of schedule!

At the end of September, RHS leadership will be meeting with City of Renton leadership at the Museum to have a discussion about the artifacts and exhibits, the structure of public membership, and what mutual support is possible. Discussions between RHS and City leadership have been exceptionally positive, and we are optimistic that this meeting will eventually lead to the solidification of a memorandum of understanding that benefits all Renton residents.

Sincerely, 

Christopher Howell - President of the Board of Directors

president@rentonhistory.org