Learning group granted charter

The Daily Star reported that the dreams of opening a children's museum in Oneonta have moved a step closer to reality with approval of a charter by the state Board of Regents.

Andrea Thies, vice president of the Oneonta World of Learning Board of Trustees, said she talked with state Department of Education officials on Friday who told her OWL had a five-year provisional charter to open a museum.

``It's fabulous,'' Thies said. ``That's really special and significant news.''

OWL submitted the application to the state in March, Thies said, and with the approval, OWL gains opportunities to apply for grants and resource support. Through the charter approval, OWL is incorporated, she said, and the organization is seeking nonprofit status.

OWL trustees will discuss charter approval and starting a capital campaign at their next meeting June 16, said Rachel Rissberger, OWL board president. Initial plans are to raise $1 million for a building, creation of exhibits and hiring a museum director, among other start-up costs, she said.
Three local mothers _ Thies, Rissberger and Amy Pondolfino _ have been working since September on generating ideas and support for OWL. The co-founders set a goal to have a permanent location for a children's museum with family-oriented programming. The closest children's museums are in Binghamton, Utica, Troy and Saratoga. In Oneonta, the Science Discovery Center is at the State University College at Oneonta.

In New York state, a museum seeking status as a nonprofit education corporation must have a charter from the Board of Regents, the state Education Department website said, and a provisional or absolute charter may be granted. A provisional charter is granted for three to five years to organizations that have reasonable prospects of meeting Regents standards, the website said. An absolute charter is granted to museums that meet the standards. Read more here.