I don't have an answer to your problem about board members -- i avoid them
at all costs. But may I recommend this website for all the times you need a
reminder that crazy things happen all. the. time. You are not alone, my
friends!

http://whenyouworkatamuseum.com/



On Wed, Nov 19, 2014 at 10:01 AM, Hosley William <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Its gets so so tiresome. People who do the work we do - most of us for
> peanuts - we care so deeply about content, public service and institutional
> advancement. Having made personal sacrifices (some, not all) to serve this
> business - even though we get paid - you then wind up with some trustees
> whose cluelessness is only exceeded by their selfishness. The other
> trustees are often too polite to admonish one of their own and there you
> have it - a mess.
>
> I developed a trustee recruitment rights and responsibilities survey and
> checklist that I think is effective and could screen out wingnuts. Happy to
> share it. Not that every org can or should have the same policies - but
> trustees should have skin in the game - and it shouldn't be left to them
> entirely - or be utterly subjective what constitutes an in kind
> contribution and what is just self-serving nonsense - of the sort you
> describe.
>
>
>
>
> William Hosley
> Terra Firma Northeast
> Cultural Resource Marketing & Development Consultant
> 860-944-8349
> [log in to unmask]
> Join me on Facebook "Creating Sense of Place for CT",  "Housing History",
> "Our History Matters!" & more
> Skype - william.hosley
> Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/billhosley
>
>
>
> On Nov 19, 2014, at 10:28 AM, David Lewis <
> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> A quick rant, and then a follow-up question.
>
> We have a board member who seems to be wanting to thunk a dedication
> plaque on anything and everything that doesn’t move.  This board member
> is a wood-worker, and decided to make a new exhibit case (without talking
> to us, or asking if we wanted or needed a case) using materials that the
> museum purchased. He then puts a large brass plaque on this custom made
> case with the words "Built by (his name) and dedicated to (his father)" . .
> . . and the kicker -- this board member then submits the invoice to be
> reimbursed for the cost of the plaque?!
>
> *head thunk!*
>
> The same well-intentioned fellow stuck (he’s using double-sticky-foam
> tape) a brass dedication plaque —- this time dedicated to all who used to
> work in the building —- directly ON the original door to the museum’s
> historic building.  This door had been removed/replaced and is considered
> an artifact in our collection that he was asked to mount on a free-standing
> frame for an exhibit.
>
> *deep-sigh!*
>
> So, we’ll certainly have a “conversation” with him about not mounting a
> plaque directly ON an artifact, but does anyone have any suggestions,
> guidelines, that I can share. If this isn’t nipped in the bud I’m
> envisioning a museum that has little brass dedication plaques on
> everything, making it look like Minnie Pearl’s hat at a tag-sale!
>
> What I am really looking for is some photos per perhaps a cartoon of what
> NOT to do. Anyone have anything to offer?   Anyone want a hard-working,
> self-motivated board member?   I’ve one to donate to you -- and I won’t
> even ask that you put a dedication plaque on him crediting me! (he'll
> probably put the plaque on himself!)
>
>   - David -
> Curator, at some plaqued museum
>
>
>
>
>
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