Butterworth Center seeks volunteers for Dear Wyman porch party, plans regional preservation training

Representatives from the Butterworth Center and the Dear Wyman House asked the Davenport Historic Preservation Commission on Sept. 9 to provide volunteer commissioners for an upcoming porch party and to name a representative for a regional training-planning committee. Jan Stoffer, who works with the Butterworth Center and Dear Wyman House, said the porch party is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 21, from noon to 5 p.m.; the center seeks volunteers to staff an “ask me anything” table for one- to two-hour shifts (Stoffer suggested starting about 12:30 p.m. to avoid the earliest mealtime period). Stoffer provided an email contact, jstoffer@butterworthcenter.com, for volunteers and follow-up. The Butterworth Center is also exploring a training curriculum in partnership with historic-preservation commissions in Moline, Rock Island and Cedar Rapids. Stoffer said the plan is in early stages, with a possible five-session format next year covering topics for commissioners, staff and homeowners. Annette Lazot (Moline) and Diane Ostrich (Rock Island) were identified as planning-committee participants; the center requested one representative from Davenport to serve on the local planning team. Commissioners raised a quorum concern under open-meeting rules and were advised to coordinate volunteer participation through staff to avoid convening a quorum outside of a public meeting. Stoffer said involvement could be low-commitment — “an hour or two is fine” — and that she would follow up with an email to participants.