VMNH board approves electronic‑meeting policy, emergency plan, fees and officers; highlights budget and accreditation work

The Virginia Museum of Natural History board of trustees on May 17 approved a set of administrative policies and operational items, elected officers and passed several resolutions of appreciation for departing trustees while hearing committee reports on the FY2026 budget, accreditation and facilities projects.

Key votes at the meeting included adoption of an updated electronic‑meeting policy to reflect 2024 changes to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), approval of a revised emergency action/COOP plan provided for accreditation review, adoption of a revised code of ethics with minor editorial edits, and approval of a new pricing proposal for admissions and programs. The board also approved the minutes of its Feb. 1 meeting, elected a slate of officers and approved resolutions recognizing trustees rotating off the board.

The electronic‑meeting policy updates incorporate language added to FOIA in the 2024 General Assembly session. Staff summarized two participation scenarios: remote participation where a quorum is physically present and members may participate remotely only if they meet one of the statutory conditions (for example living more than 60 miles away or as caregiver/medical reason), and fully…