This sounds like an easy peasy.... (well maybe).  I'd suggest that you
explain the IRS and legal issues that preclude changing it to a loan, and
give her the option of putting documentation in the file as to the
repository she would like to have it transferred to in event of museum
closure.  I've found that is usually a satisfying solution when they are
simply worried and don't really want the item back.

Lucy Sperlin
Butte County Historical Society
Oroville, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Sarah LeCount
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2012 11:31 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Accession Policy question regarding gifts to loans

Hi Ramona!

Wow, that's a new twist!  I wonder why she is requesting the change, even
though she does not want the pieces back and she believes her heirs will not
want them. The basic issue is, as I see it, that if you were to make the
gift into a loan, you would have to deaccession it first. Generally,
deaccessioning policies state that the objects should not go back to the
donor, but should be placed in another museum or sold through public
auction.  Additionally, if she were allowed to change the gift into a loan,
what would happen upon her eventual demise?   I hope she will listen to
reason - keep us posted on what happens!

Sarah
Collections Coordinator, Rochester Museum & Science Center





---- Ramona Renfroe <[log in to unmask]> wrote: 
> We are in the process of reviewing our Collections Policy and have
> encountered a situation that could pose a difficult precedent. 
> 
>  
> 
> Six years ago a donor gave the museum three pieces of 19th century
furniture
> that have become a major portion of one of our exhibits. The closure of a
> regional museum and the disbursement of their collection have concerned
this
> lady for the stability of local museums in general. The situation is
further
> complicated by her relationship to certain Board members which has
elevated
> it beyond the wording of the Deed of Gift to an emotional discussion. She
> wishes to change these items from "gift" status to "loan" status "just in
> case" the same fate were to befall our museum. She does not want the
pieces
> back nor does she think that her heirs will want the pieces in the future.
> Board members' reactions have been varied and have placed our Collections
> Committee on alert to the sensitivity of this particular incident.  
> 
>  
> 
> Have any of the List members encountered a similar situation or do you
have
> policies in place that address such circumstances? 
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Ramona
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Ramona A. Renfroe
> 
> Director
> 
> Museum of Ashe County History
> 
> 301 E. Main St. / PO Box 1404
> 
> Jefferson, NC  28640
> 
> Phone: 336.846.1904 / fax: 336.846.1932
> 
> [log in to unmask] 
> 
> 
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