The following is the text of a memo sent from the executive committee of the Boston Public Library Foundation to board members in August, 2008.
URGENT
BPL Foundation Board Members
As you are no doubt aware, the search for a new President of the Library successfully concluded last week with the naming by the BPL Board of Trustees of Amy Ryan. John McArthur and Jim Cash ably led the Search Committee (of which I was a member) in a truly nationwide search for our next President. Four very well qualified finalists (out of a screened pool of 160) were presented to the Trustees last week.
The Foundation has been asked to make a limited financial contribution to the compensation package that is needed to bring Amy Ryan in as the new President of the Library. She is an exciting new leader for the Library, and we want to do everything within our power to get her into the office. Her offer letter is to be composed of both the City’s commitment and the Foundation’s commitment.
The Foundation’s commitment would be (a) a one time $20,000 housing supplement to assist in the purchase of a home or condominium, and (b) reimbursement of documented travel, lodging and food expenses of up to four house-hunting trips to Boston from Minneapolis.
The Executive Committee has considered the matter. The Foundation’s authority for these payments is based on the original purposes of the Foundation in its Articles of Organization. Among the purposes of the Foundation are to enhance the visibility of the Boston Public Library and to engage in other educational and scientific purposes. We have been advised by counsel that subsidizing the compensation of an officer of the institution that promotes education and science as part of its mission is within the scope of the Foundation’s purposes.
Accordingly, we respectfully request that you waive notice of a special meeting of the board of directors of the Boston Public Library Foundation, consent to the taking of action by an email writing, and vote on the following resolution, which the Executive Committee unanimously endorses:
VOTED, that the Foundation make a special grant to the Boston Public Library restricted to (A) a one time $20,000 housing supplement to be paid to Ms. Amy Ryan to facilitate her move to Boston to assume the presidency of the Library, and (B) reimbursement of documented travel, lodging and food expenses for up to four house-hunting trips to Boston from Ms. Ryan’s current home in Minnesota.
Please give this matter your immediate attention as the timing of Ms. Ryan’s offer is critical.
Please vote by replying (“Reply All”) to this message with either the word “Approve Both”, “Approve Waiver, Disapprove Resolution” or “Disapprove Both” and your name. Approve Both will mean that you waive notice of a meeting to consider this matter, consent to taking action by email writing and approve the resolution set forth above. The other two possible responses are self-explanatory.
