Frank,
First of all, your board should realize what a wonderful confirmation this
is of the good work you are doing at your institution. It's a compliment to
you and your board that this other historical society wants to mine you for
your expertise and good ideas.
Second, your board should step back and consider what a wonderful
opportunity this is to collaborate with another institution. Collaborative
programming helps leverage limited resources, and limited staff time. Your
two organizations may or may not end up doing programs together, but this
certainly gives you a position to identify areas of collaborative
possibility when they arise. This board role will not only serve the other
historical society, but it greatly benefits your own museum. This is a
win-win for both organizations. Has your board considered the fact that
your participation on this other board can introduce a whole new audience to
your museum because every new person you meet will learn about your museum
as well? When your prominence rises in the community, you bring your museum
with you. Have they considered the professional development opportunity this
provides you - the governance perspective? This can only make you a more
effective director. Your experience on the other board can also give you a
lot to share with your own board - policies, fundraising ideas, membership
strategies. It's not like these are trade secrets, and it's expected that
you might freely share best practices between the two organizations.
There are a limited number of scenarios where a conflict of interest could
arise here, where you would have to be strict about your board role in one
organization, and your management role with the other, and be clear about
who you are serving when. Competition for an artifact might be one conflict,
or fundraising might prove challenging if you both cultivate a similar donor
base. But serving on the board is not, by any stretch, a conflict of
interest.
Why your board is distrustful of your ability to manage your time is another
issue altogether, and that's really what you may need to confront. After
all, if you chose to volunteer with your local Cancer Society or school
board on your personal time that's really not the business of your board.
They should be very pleased at your active participation in your community,
whether it's the Rotary Club, or another museum's board - in fact, it should
be in your job description that you actively participate in your community
with other organizations.
Best,
Melissa Rosengard
Western Museums Association
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Frank Grean
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 4:59 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Serving on a board
Currently I am serving as director for a small local history museum. I have
been asked to join the board of directors for an historical society in a
nearby city. The society's director assures me that this is not a conflict
of interest but more of a cooperative effort for historical events and
activities in the area.
I have served on the board for an historical society when I lived in another
state (a larger city than this), and there was no problem, and I still do
not see a problem, however the board for the small museum where I work is
very jealous of my time and will have many reasons to deny this.
BTW, the board I would be joining does not meeet during my work hours.
I'm sure I've left out some pertinent particulars, and would be glad to
answer further questions, but mostly I'm interested in others' thoughts on
the subject.
Many thanks,
Frank
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