Suggested activities for the Lake Forest Foundation during 1977

Prepared for the Lake Forest Foundation

By Paul E. Sprague

Historic Preservation Services

1. Educational

A. Newsletter

1. A bimonthly newsletter to members can be of immense value in keeping the aims of the organization before the public. It might be used to:

a. Educate the public in the aims of historic preservation

b. Provide reports on meetings and activities of the' Lake Forest Foundation

c. Provide notices of meetings, conferences, tours, lectures and gatherings of interest to preservationists

d. Provide news of preservation activities elsewhere in Illinois and the nation

e. Appeal for assistance with legislation, fund raising, etc.

f. Provide information on tax laws, easements, etc.

2. A newsletter requires one dedicated person with writing ability and several assistants. This should be their only job in the Foundation.

3. The foundation should join national organizations so that literature is received regularly.

B. Lectures

1. A lecture series on local preservation; preservation in Illinois and elsewhere; the need for preservation in Lake Forest; preservation techniques, etc. should be established. Prominent out-of-town preservationists should be included in order to attract an audience from outside Lake Forest-- which in turn will help to attract larger audiences from Lake Forest

2. Lectures on other subjects might also be sponsored but only with the idea of advertising the Lake Forest Foundation and local preservation problems

3. Such a series requires another dedicated person and several assistants

C. Tours

1. These might best be organized for members of the foundation to urban areas in Illinois and elsewhere to study problems and solutions to urban conservation

2. Again, this might easily be handled by one well-organized person with several assistants.

D. Conferences

2. Membership

A. A dedicated leader assisted by volunteers is required

B. The organization of this important activity should be pyramidal in fashion so that the ultimate support is carried by volunteers all over Lake Forest

C. The latter become the local block leaders and

1. Solicit membership

2. Direct attention to local problems

3. Organize persons in their areas for letter writing campaigns, and similar assistance as required

D. Direct mail and other similar forms of soliciting members is also in order

E. Posters, membership blanks, and the like, their design, printing and distribution also comes under membership

F. Organization of a volunteer program to assist in every way: memberships, tours, lectures, newsletter, administration, etc. would also be in order. Here another dedicated person would be needed to supervise this program.

3. Fund raising

A. In addition to memberships, appeals should be made to: foundations, federal and state agencies, the municipality, private organizations, individuals

B. Funds are required for:

1. Operational expenses

2. Legal expenses

3. Planning studies

4. Revolving funds for:

a. Assisting owners

b. Purchase of options

c. Purchase of easements

d. Purchase, repair, and resale of property

4. Policy matters

A. The board should continue to discuss the aims and goals of the organization, working slowly to establish priorities and policies

B. I recommend that the board also commission a number of planning studies that would supply essential information on preservation problems and recommendations for action by the Foundation