In a message dated 96-09-06 21:08:21 EDT, [log in to unmask] (John Martinson)
writes:

>What are your opinion(s) on Board members making
>friends and socializing with a Director's staff?
>And if a Board ask they want to speak to staff
>members, is that proper?

In my last position, we were occasionally banned from speaking directly to
the Board for two reasons: the Board was usually trying to circumvent the
director and wanted something done quickly or was trying to show the director
up as incompetent (which he was not) OR the Board member was attempting to
use their position to get something which was not in the best intereast in
the museum and/or museum staff as a whole. As long as the Board is not
attempting to undermine the director or manipulate the staff, I found there
were several occasions where it was indeed appropriate for staff to
communicate directly with the Board.
>
>Especially where rumors begin to surface, and one
>knows the skuttle-butt came from the staff member
>about you.

In my experience, when rumors are circulated about a staff member, it usually
means they are feared by someone. In every rumor there is a grain of truth -
the question is, is that rumor generating positive or negative results for
you?
>
>IMHO, Board's should leave the issues to the director,
>and/or if there is a problem, go directly to the director.

I would agree, but what if the director is a poor communicator and not adept
at delegating according to his staff's strengths (and replacing him is not a
viable option?) What if the director is not skilled at handling the issues in
question?

>It has made a conflict of interest with trust for the
>board member, and more distrust for the staff member.

Welcome to my world of experience with Board members :-)

While on the subject of ethics, I would like to pose a question. I am not an
expert in the AAM Code of Ethics, but - When is it ever acceptable for a
donation (previously given) to be auctioned off to raise money for a museum,
only to be bought at auction by the original donor and redonated. This came
up in a discussion amongst a group of museum professionals and it occurred to
me that if it was ethical or legal, art museums and Rembrandt owners would be
making a killing! Any feedback?

- Adrienne