Resources for the
Board of Directors of Friends of Hearthstone, Inc.
Hearthstone welcomes its newest board members. The community as well as Hearthstone’s volunteers and staff thank each and every one of our board for dedicating their time, talent, and insights to serve the museum and its mission.
Nina Block, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse at Rogers Behavioral Health and Elisha Smith family member, owners of Menasha Corp.
Hannah DCamp, Adult Services Department at Neenah Public Library
Adam Galambos, Professor of Economics and on Business & Entrepreneurship Faculty at Lawrence University
Fred Hoida, retired from Foremost Dairy Farms and Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and volunteer at Mary Beth Neinhaus Senior Center
Ronell Hubanks, Graphic Designer at Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, non-profit organizer and college football coach
Danielle Schneeberg Iddrisu, Community Engagement Coordinator at Leaven, Inc. holding a Master’s Degree in Public History and past Volunteer Coordinator at Hearthstone
Laura Ann Kamm, real estate investor and restorer, Treasurer at Hearthstone
Thomas Mischka, retired industry executive with extensive board experience with the Appleton Emergency Shelter, Chaps, Sexual Assault Crisis Center
Antoinette Powell, retired Lawrence University Music Librarian and Associate Professor Emerita, board member of Old Third Ward Neighborhood Association, Board President at Hearthstone
Brigid Vance, Associate Professor of History and on Business & Entrepreneurship Faculty, Lawrence University
Below are links to important documents that will help new and current Board members alike in their duties as a director. Please review them. If any questions arise, please do not hesitate to contact George Schroeder, Executive Director, at gschroeder@hearthstonemuseum.org or 920 730 8204.
Table of Contents and Introduction to Board of Directors Materials
General Operations Information
Bylaws of Friends of Hearthstone, Inc.
Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual
Board Adopted Policies
Conflict of Interest Policy and Annual Statement
Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Record Retention and Document Destruction Policy
Policy and Procedures for New Initiatives
Required Training for all Board, Staff, and Volunteers
Neuro-Diversity Training (password is Rogers1882)
LGBTQ+ Identities Training (password is Rogers1882)
General Board Training
Best Practices for Board Service for Historic Sites
AASLH Statement of Standards and Ethics
What Makes a Good Current Board Member
Board of Directors Recruitment - Matrix
How to Turn Your Board Members into Fundraisers
How to Become an Expert in the Conversation of Endowment
Board Minutes
June 26, 2026
Periodic Financial Information
Most Recent Form 990, 2025 (filed May 10, 2026)
Note on financial information:
The accounting procedures used by Friends of Hearthstone, Inc. must conform to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS INCLUDES USING THE CASH METHOD OF ACCOUNTING. This approach better reflects the operations of the museum and reduces the bookkeeping burden when it comes to certain operational aspects of the museum such as advanced ticket sales than does an accrual basis. Please see the Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual for details.
Under this cash basis, the Statement of Activity in the Management Report for 2025 clearly shows a net operating surplus of $17,205.73. However, the IRS requires that Form 990 incorporates depreciation and other expenses which are NOT USED in cash basis accounting. This, despite the fact that the museum pays EVERY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IN CASH.
There are two major categories of non-cash deductions that must be included on the tax return.
1) Depreciation
Depreciation for 2025 totaled -$41,789. See Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization in the above return.
For example, the museum is still depreciating the purchase price paid to the Mares family for the residence on Dec 12, 1986. This alone accounted for a $5486 deduction against the net operating surplus in 2025. Likewise, the museum is still writing off 50 other capital expenditures. These include the 36 year old handicap lift, the lower level restoration from 1994, the porch restoration from 2013, restoration of all the interior spaces through 2018, and constructing the parking lot in 2018. This is in addition to more recent restorations including the roof, chimneys, exterior woodwork, and new boiler over the past six years. In fact, it would be reprehensible if there were no depreciation expenses as the mission of Friends of Hearthstone, Inc. is to preserve, as well as interpret, the residence.
2) Other Expenses
Other expenses that must be included on Form 990 are illustrated by PART XI, LINE 9 - OTHER CHANGES IN NET ASSETS EXPLANATION RETURN ON ASSETS HELD BY COMM FDN -$37,770 on Schedule O. This is the paper loss from the Community Foundation's handling of the endowment. While it has nothing to do with the operating expenses, it must be included on the return.
As a result, when depreciation and other deductions are included, they make it appear on the tax return that the museum had a net operating loss in 2025. This is not true. To put it simply, the museum pays cash for everything and it cannot spend money it does not have.