Gygax Memorial Fund, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
GYGAX MEMORIAL FUND
Meeting Minutes
9/25/2025
Attending: Paul Stormberg/Pres.; Gail Gygax/Chairman of the Board; Dianne Carpenter/Secretary/Treasurer; Absent: Alex Gygax
Meeting called to order by Paul Stormberg, seconded by Gail Gygax.
Members discussed the upcoming launch of the GMF Kickstarter project to raise funds for the Gygax memorial statue. The project was initially uploaded to Kickstarter on 9/23/2025. Paul presented various aspects of the upcoming Kickstarter fundraiser project. The members reviewed the contents of the project as outlined on the Kickstarter site.
Paul made a motion to approve the GMF Kickstarter fundraising project, seconded by Gail Gygax. The board members unanimously approved the project. The GMF Kickstarter will officially launch on 10/1/2025, the date that Gary Gygax founded TSR.
In relation to outreach to the business/gaming community, Paul has sent 2060 emails to business/gaming contacts regarding the upcoming Kickstarter. And has engaged advertising campaigns on both Facebook and YouTube.
Regarding donors from prior fundraising, an email has been sent to all prior donors to inform them of the upcoming Kickstarter and to let them know that they will receive credit for their prior donation as per the current Kickstarter. Should donors wish to upgrade their donation, a process has been developed for that and it is listed on the Kickstarter Project site.
Discussion also took place with regard to the upcoming Dragon Days Fantasy Festival, which is scheduled for October 4-5, 2025. This is another GMF initiative which has been spearheaded by Paul Stormberg. The weather looks to be cooperating and a large turnout is expected. Over 50 vendors will be there.
Dianne Carpenter moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Paul Stormberg and unanimously approved by the Board.
Meeting Minutes Submitted by: Dianne Carpenter
GYGAX MEMORIAL FUND
Meeting Minutes
4-10-2024
Attending: Paul Stormberg/Pres.; Gail Gygax/Chairman of the Board; Dianne Carpenter/Secretary/Treasurer; Absent: Alex Gygax
The meeting was called to order by Gail Gygax and seconded by Dianne Carpenter.
Paul Stormberg /President reviewed the status of the GMF Memorial Project with the various Lake Geneva boards where approval is required:
2/20/2024 Parks Board—Unanimous approval of the location of the memorial in Library Park
3/11/2024 City Counsel—referral to Planning Commission
3/18/2024 Planning Commission Meeting—Unanimous approval by the Planning Commission for the site plan
3/25/2024 City Council—Unanimous approval of donation of memorial to the City of Lake Geneva, WI
In addition:
The board unanimously approved reimbursement for April 5-7 trip expenses for Paul Stormberg/Board President, along with additional GMF memorial project expenses :
The Lake Geneva 4/6/2024 meeting to discuss Dragon Days
The 4/7/2024 Wisconsin State Historical Society event panel and D&D history presentation
Site Plan by Steve Schmit/Lakeland Surveyors
Upcoming 7/26-28 EGG Con Trip to coincide with permanent Gary Gygax Day Proclamation by new mayor Todd Krause.
Upcoming 9/27-29 Dragon Days Horticultural Hall Rental
Upcoming 9/27-29 Dragon Days American Legion Hall Rental
The board also discussed participation in the following events as part of it’s mission toward community engagement:
July 27, 2024 EGG Con “Gary Gygax Day” Proclamation by Mayor Todd Krause with permanent proclamation to be announced at Dragon Days
August 7 Gen Con
Sept 27-29th Dragon Days (Last Chance to celebrate 50th Anniversary)
Other: GMF Awards Plaque at Lake Geneva Museum
Discussion also took place regarding the planned Kickstarter fundraising activity:
Setting a target date for the Kickstarter
Video work for advertising to be paid for out of Kickstarter funds
Artwork for Kickstarter project (October would be an ideal time)
Price of pavers and plaque donations ($250-$150,000)
The GMF Board also discussed the possibility of obtaining grants to support the building of the Memorial, including the following:
Wisconsin Tourism Commission and Economic Development
Gail Gygax called for the adjournment of the meeting, seconded by Paul Stormberg, with unanimous approval to adjourn.
Meeting Minutes Submitted by: Dianne Carpenter
GYGAX MEMORIAL FUND
Meeting Minutes
9-29-2022
Attending: Paul Stormberg/Pres/; Gail Gygax/Chairman of the Board; Dianne Carpenter/Secretary/Treasurer Absent: Alex Gygax
Gail called the meeting to order.
The Board reviewed information that the President and Chairman received from the GMF consulting attorney.
Paul presented further information regarding the proposed Dragon Days. Paul will be attending the Meeting of the Whole with the various elected officials in Lake Geneva, including the Mayor. The GMF Memorial and Museum projects will be a part of and benefit from the events in Lake Geneva. The Mayor has been very positive about the Dragon Days project and is favorable to the GMF project. There is a “soft opening” planned for October 2023 and full opening in the fall of 2024.
Various other projects and ideas for the GMF were discussed. Due to the ambitious memorial project which the board hopes to become a site for tourism in the town of Lake Geneva, the GMF continues to push forward on the idea of a new location for the Memorial, with a naming of that area as “Gygax Park.” Publicity in the Visit Lake Geneva publication as well as other projects to move the awareness of the Memorial initiatives were discussed, including the Geneva Lake Museum. Potential involvement with the Strong Museum and Smithsonian were discussed.
Paul is continuing his work on building a Kickstarter project for the GMF.
Paul also noted that the board continues to be interested in buying a bench with a plaque to honor Gary Gygax. The location of the bench would be in the area of the proposed Gygax Park.
Paul noted that the bill for our consulting attorney should be sent to Mike Buttleman for payment.
Dianne proposed that the meeting be adjourned. Gail seconded. All were in favor.
Minutes submitted by: Dianne Carpenter
GYGAX MEMORIAL FUND
Special Session
Meeting Minutes
7-28-2022
Attendees:
Paul Stormberg, Gail Gygax, Alex Gygax, Dianne Carpenter
The meeting was called to order by Gail Gygax.
The members of the Board reviewed the information presented at the last board meeting on 7-14-2022. Paul Stormberg presented his communication as the board president and Gail Gygax as Chairman of the Board, with the board’s consulting attorney. Upon the advice of the board’s consulting attorney, the Board voted regarding the information presented at the last board meeting on 7-14-2022. The vote was unanimous, indicating agreement with the information presented.
Dianne called for adjournment of the meeting. Gail Seconded. All voted in agreement.
Note: subsequent to this meeting, Gail Gygax changed her vote to “No.”
Meeting Minutes Submitted by: Dianne Carpenter
GYGAX MEMORIAL FUND
Special Session
Meeting Minutes
7-14-2022
Attendees:
Paul Stormberg, Gail Gygax, Alex Gygax, Dianne Carpenter
Special Guest: Attorney Advisor
Paul Stormberg called the meeting to order:
The financial status of the GMF was reviewed and discussed. Various topics were presented and reviewed. The board members will take into consideration the information discussed and will reconvene once there has been a review of the information presented.
Dianne voted to adjourn the meeting. Gail seconded. All members agreed.
Meeting Minutes submitted by: Dianne Carpenter
GYGAX MEMORIAL FUND
Meeting Minutes
5-12-2022
Attendees:
Paul Stormberg, Mike Buttleman, Gail Gygax, Alex Gygax, Dianne Carpenter
The meeting was called to order by Paul Stormberg.
Roles of the GMF members were discussed:
Chairman of the Board-Gail Gygax
President- Paul Stormberg
Vice President- Alex Gygax
Secretary/Treasurer-Dianne Carpenter
Accountant: Mike Buttleman
Paul gave a report of the various activities he has been involved with in order to promote the GMF. The initiative involving the GMF museum project was discussed. Gail is lending the stained glass Hobby Shop Dungeon sign and the Lake Geneva Regional News is covering the event. Paul will continue to attend Lake Geneva Museum Board meetings in order to provide interface with the GMF. There will be various activities at the Lake Geneva Museum during Gary Con, to include a “soft opening” of the GMF exhibit honoring Gary Gygax.
Paul also discussed other initiatives that are in progress The idea of a Dragon Days event for the town was discussed. Paul is developing a walking tour map of Lake Geneva, involving significant sites pertaining to Gary Gygax. This will be another initiative to bring awareness to the fund. There will be video recording of the event.
The idea of a GMF booth at Gary Con was discussed.
Paul indicated that there have been updates to the GMF website.
The overall financial status of the GMF was discussed. In addition Paul presented a summary of his work for the GMF and the board unanimously approved several expenditures for reimbursement along with reimbursement for Paul for work on the Fund’s various projects.
Dianne called for the adjournment of the meeting, Gail seconded and all voted in agreement.
Meeting Minutes submitted by: Dianne Carpenter
GYGAX MEMORIAL FUND
Meeting Minutes
10-28-2021
Attendees:
Paul Stormberg, Mike Buttleman, Gail Gygax, Alex Gygax, Dianne Carpenter
The meeting was called to order by Paul Stormberg
1) Interest by the town on Lake Geneva in the Memorial project was discussed. Mayor Kline has taken a positive interest in the project.
2) Legal issues were discussed.
3) Launch of the new GMF website was a topic of discussion.
4) Progress on the Memorial project regarding a display at the Geneva Museum. A table and chairs were donated through a procurement by Paul.
5) Gail reviewed the status of the GMF project regarding the town of Lake Geneva Parks Board requirements for the GMF to provide funding to maintain the statuary.
6) Paul discussed a fundraiser project to assist with funding the building of the statue. The committee has been strongly considering a significant change in the artistic direction of the statuary, making it more costly. A Kickstart project was discussed.
7) The members discussed a change in the location of the memorial due to the significance of the project and how it could contribute to tourism in Lake Geneva. Gail reviewed the process of the Planning and Parks Commission and the process regarding getting a different location for the GMS approved via the City Counsel.
8) Paul discussed various ideas he has regarding bringing attention to the GMS and also to bring tourism to the town of Lake Geneva. With 2024 being the 50th Anniversary of D & D, it would be good timing for the GMF to get the support of the community for the project. involvement of the Chamber of Commerce regarding economic development was discussed. Paul indicated the next step would be to meet with the Economic Development Group of the Chamber of Commerce.
9) Paul also discussed the progress with the Lake Geneva Museum Board. There will be a presentation on Nov 8. There will be a press release in the Lake Geneva Regional News.
10) Paul also presented the idea of the GMF purchasing a Park Bench in the park area where the GMF would like to relocate the GMF Memorial. The cost of the bench is $3,600 and would be donated to the town by the GMF.
11) Reinstatement of Gail as a voting board member was discussed. A vote was taken and passed. Business cards for board members, particularly Paul was discussed.
12) Accounting for GMF expenditures was discussed. It was agreed that any expenditures exceeding $2,500 would require Board approval.
13) The idea of a donations account on the GMF website was discussed. Connection with the Kickstarter was discussed.
Dianne Moved to adjourn the meeting. Gail seconded. All voted in favor.
Meeting Minutes submitted by: Dianne Carpenter
GYGAX MEMORIAL FUND
Special Session
10-7-2021
Attendees:
Paul Stormberg, Mike Buttleman, Gail Gygax, Alex Gygax, Dianne Carpenter
The meeting was called to order by Paul Stormberg
1) Discussion took place regarding accounting procedures for GMF expenses. The need to have Bill Pay for routine subscriptions was discussed such as regular expenditures to maintain the website etc. Also access to a credit card was discussed.
2) GMF accounting procedures were also discussed for credit card/petty cash expenses.
3) The GMF Memorial Committee was discussed as well as various activities in the area
4) Gail’s role as Chairman of the board was discussed (calls board Meetings and directs policies)
Dianne moved to adjourn the meeting. Gail seconded.
The meeting was adjourned.
Meeting Minutes submitted by: Dianne Carpenter
