On Wed, 10 Apr 2002, John McAvity wrote:

++++ [CLIP] ++++

> To state the obvious,  the issue is one of resources.   Currently ICs depend
> not on ICOM but on the good will of their members in order to function.
> As one who has hosted several IC meetings and conferences (often these are
> more of conferences than simply meetings!), I can testify that the burden of
> financial support is faced by members.   IC volunteers or their institutions
> pay for mailings, they cover all the costs for organization of meetings,
> stuff envelopes, pay for translation costs, travel, write and distribute
> minutes, sometimes even pay for ICOM representatives to attend their
> meetings!

++++ ALL TRUE.  IN MY ORIGINAL PAPER TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEES TASK
FORCE I ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THIS CREATES A MASSIVE "DEMOCRATIC
DEFICIT": ICOM MEMBERS CAN ONLY SEEK OFFICE WITHIN AN INTERNATIONAL
COMMITTEE IF THEY CAN PROVIDE SUCH SUBSIDIES - EITHER FROM AN INSTITUTION
OR FROM THEIR OWN EARNINGS OR SAVINGS.  BLUNTLY, IS THIS THE RIGHT REASON
FOR SELECTING SOMEONE AS A COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON OR SECRETARY?


+++++ [CLIP] +++++

> What if an IC goes into serious debt?   Will ICOM assume this debt?

DURING MY FIRST TERM ON THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (1989-92) THIS ISSUE WAS
RAISED BY AN INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE THAT OWED A NATIONAL MUSEUM A VERY
LARGE SUM - CERTAINLY SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS - FOR THE PRINTING OF
COMMITTEE PUBLICATIONS.  A REQUEST TO THE EC FOR A SPECIAL GRANT TO PAY
OFF THE DEBT WAS TURNED DOWN.  I NEVER HEARD WHAT HAPPENED IN THE END -
WHETHER  THE MUSEUM "WROTE OFF" THE DEBT, OR WHETHER THE COMMITTEE'S
FORMER OFFICER(S) PAID THE DEBT PERSONALLY.



Patrick Boylan

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