Fewer Settlers Museum Board meetings likely

The Otago Settlers Museum Board seems likely to switch to less frequent, perhaps quarterly, meetings next year.

After board member Richard Thomson queried the modest volume of business discussed at recent meetings, held about every six weeks, some members suggested quarterly meetings might be better.

Nevertheless, extra meetings could be called if the need arose, board members said at this week's meeting.

The Dunedin City Council will later consider the timing of the meetings, involving the council-owned museum.

The Otago Settlers Association founded, developed and safeguarded the museum and its collection until the city council took over ownership through an agreement with the association about 20 years ago.

The association, which still has more than 1000 members and now operates as a "friends" of the museum, also continues to provide significant funding and other support for the institution.

Board chairwoman and former association president Dr Dorothy Page said she appreciated the view that sometimes relatively short meetings were being held and also noted the planned museum redevelopment was progressing smoothly.

Nevertheless, the board, with its association and council members, provided a "very useful liaison" between the museum, the association and the council, with museum director Linda Wigley, and council community life general manager Graeme Hall also closely involved.

She hoped continuity between meetings would not be lost if they were held too infrequently.