A new feature has been added to the website...a blog by Kathleen Young. She will be sharing her thoughts and experiences of the park with us. To read her blog, click on the BLOG image on the right side of the homepage.

Who is Kathleen Young? Many know her as a docent, volunteer, past board member, and true friend of the park. The performing arts have been a part of her life for 25 years, performing regionally and nationally, and in recent years has pursued an interest in photography. In her free time she has been photo-documenting the condition of both historic cemeteries. When out and about, taking pictures or participating in events, she meets interesting people with interesting stories and thought it would be fun to share those moments and her love for being here. She said "It is important to keep the word out there that this Park matters. People still come from all over the world and ask, Where is Sutter's Mill?" It is Kathleen's hope that the blog will increase online visibility of the Gold Discovery Park Association and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and keep people curious about the rich history of Coloma.

During the annual retreat in January, the board evaluated GDPA's business potential. The Mercantile is the association's greatest source of income so it was one of the first considerations. With the park closure two days per week, the major cut in park capacity, and reduced school tours, it is unknown just how much of a financial hit the store will take this year.

The one paid position in the Mercantile is for a store clerk with no management responsibilities, and it was determined that the limited funds available for salary must be used for one, high level position. A new job description has been created, adding the following duties:

• Point of sales system management (operation, reporting, inventory, and database maintenance)
• Reestablish and expand an online presence 
• Oversight and management of an extension of the Mercantile...the Assay Office (in the old Post Office building) where minerals will be sold
• Coordinate new gold consignment and display to enhance gold sales

The board decided the most fair and open way to accomplish this change is to make the position available to the public. The job description has been listed on Craigslist.com and with El Dorado County EDD. You can view a copy of the document by clicking on the link below.

Retail Operations Manager Job Description

The 2010 Board of Directors met for the first time on January 9th at the annual retreat. The board's plan for 2010 is to evaluate and maximize the association's assets, increase fundraising activities and sponsorships, grow membership, and help DPR build the volunteer program.

Each year the new board sets the monthly meeting dates and times that work best for the current directors. This year the monthly board meetings will be on the 3rd Tuesdays of each month (February - December 2010) at 5:30 pm at the Broderick House. If there is a change for some reason, it will be posted on the website. The posted dates have been changed to reflect the new times on the Board of Directors webpage and the Upcoming Events calendar.

The GDPA 2010 Board of Directors

Lois Fortress - President

Crystal Barber - Vice President

Tal Jones - Secretary

Marjorie Sanborn - Treasurer

Fritz Erhardt - Director

This year Gold Discovery Day will be celebrated on both Saturday and Sunday, January 23rd and 24th. Come down to the park and enjoy the musicians, docents, and the many speakers. Laura Bekeart Dietz will share some family history during the Gold Rush.