Basically, I'm very against uniforms. I've seen many people take them to 
ridiculously strict standards (down to what kind and color socks!).  They do 
have a place, but the stricter the uniform , the more unhappy the staff.   
Give the staff a choice.   A long sleeved t-shirt, in a color of their 
choice (or at least three different colors) with the logo of the museum on 
it can look wonderful with dress pants.   Allow for some individuality.   If 
you don't have a logo yet, let the staff design what they would like on the 
shirts.  It could be a fun contest of sorts!   Get their involvement in this 
process of transition.   To suddenly say "you are going to wear this!" 
without letting them get a chance to say whether or not they like it will 
cause problems.

Also, I do believe others have already brought up the cost of uniforms.   
Polo shirts are a bit more expensive than t-shirts but you may want to give 
the staff the choice of either.   If they choose a polo shirt, you may be 
able to ask them to pay the difference.

Elizabeth Caldwell
Graduate Student


http://www.freewebs.com/strawberriesncreame/
http://resumes.hotjobs.com/jubileel_insaneone/museumcurator




>From: David Lewias <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Staff uniforms
>Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2005 15:23:33 EST
>
>I've been reading what everone's comments and thought I'd add my two
>cents....
>
>I can see the need for "uniforms" (of some sort) -- but what about thinking 
>a
>bit outta-the-box?   Polo shirts and kaki's are a bit bland in my mind.   
>Is
>there some sort of other "costume" (or even an accessory like a scarf) from
>the Whaling era that could be appropriate?   I'm thinking of something like 
>a
>stripped shirt or perhaps a "sailor's-suit shirt"?
>
>I like Ann's comments about a white shirt and tie (that can be
>dressed-up/down).   But rather than a bland blue tie with the NHA logo, 
>what about some
>sorta fun (whimsical) whale tie -- remember the "fish ties" that were so 
>popular a
>few years ago -- *grin*   I know that you're located in Nantucket, and want
>to convey a professional image, but nobody ever said professional had to be
>"stodgy."
>
>Good luck with the hunt.   My family has property on Martha's Vineyard so
>I'll be eager to come over and see your new space when it opens this 
>summer.
>
>- David -
>David Lewis, Curator
>Aurora Regional Fire Museum
>www.AuroraRegionalFireMuseum.org
>P.S. For those wondering - yes, I wear a fire engine tie at all our formal
>museum events   :-)
>
>
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