There are established codes of ethics in the Museum world and many fine
volumes on the rights, priveleges and obligations of governance. I have
worked with boards who have a variety of vested interests. Providing they
don't attempt to exercise these interests in a manner that is self serving,
or to the detriment of the institution, I can see no problem.
Even ICOM, who were at one stage appeared to be dead against any form of
consultant in the membership ( Patrick Boylan may correct me in this of he
is reading this mail ) now has accepted consultants in their fold - dealers
Patrick?

For books on governance, have a look in the nonprofit or museum sections of
DR DRUM's Not For Profit Bookshop, at this address:
http://members.tripod.com/~DrDrum_2/Bookshop.html

best wishes
Roger
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-----Original Message-----
From: Sharon Koomler <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Saturday, 16 January 1999 5:18
Subject: Re: Dealers, Conflict of Interest?


>Lucy,
>
>re: your concerns about dealers associated with museums.
>
>Your points are taken.  But the reality for our committees is that they are
>advisory only, not policy making.  It is important for me as a curator to
be
>knowledgable enough about our collection to understand the pro/con of
>accessioning/deaccessioning objects.  We have clear policies regarding both
>activities. and the decisions are made by a tiered team.
>
>It is true that there may be dealers who will use the institution to gain
some
>credibility.  That is why we cultivate and invite our board members rather
>than respond to unsolicited offers.
>
>I rely on my relationships with dealers and collectors, probably more than
>they gain from their relationships with me or my institution.  There are
some
>I will not "deal" with, but there are many who have earned my respect.
>
>Again, I would hesitate to eliminate dealers from participation in museums.
I
>am interested to hear additional thought on this.
>
>Sharon Duane Koomler
>Curator of Collections
>Hancock Shaker Village
>Pittsfield MA  01202
>