Barbara,
I would caution you and your board very earnestly to be cautious about
coming under complete city control. Your institution is already in a
delicate political situation, if y’all became city employees life could get
really strange. For example, you might have to hire the mayor’s daughter for
the position that you are advocating for, or you may lose an employee who
may run afoul of the current (or future) administration. Worst case
scenario, would be if the city took your museum over in order to completely
defund it and save the funds expended. Caveat.
-Nicholas

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of BARBARA TAYLOR
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 3:52 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: Memo of Understanding


Dear Sandra,

The High Point Museum has had a contractual agreement with the City of High
Point since 1978.  Essentially the city agreed to support the staff and
utility line items in our budget.  (This roughly equates to 2/3rds of the
budget). The City owns our buildings , and pays for major repairs.  They pay
for insurance on the structures.  This includes our six historic structures
and our modern facility.  We insurance for contents... and collections.  The
staff are not City employees.  We receive a "budget"each year, and the money
is paid in quarterly allotments.  Our Board owns the collection.  This year
we requested a new position but were turned down (economics). (Unfortunately
when we expanded three years ago we didn't get the position then, when we
should have).  We have one City Council person on our board as a "liaison".
They have no real voting power.  However, in recent years we have been very
lucky to get strong advocates!

Under separate cover I will be happy to send you the document.  As it was
written in 1978, there might be better ways of stating things.

We do not get 100% of salary support...if you include health and retirement
benefits (which we try to do!!)  The Board pays for the rest of
operations... raising money from memberships, fundraisers,etc.

The relationship has worked pretty well for us.  Recently the city asked if
we would like to totally come under their umbrella!!  Rather strange for
these economic times.  We are going to see if this would benefit us.  I will
keep you posted.

Barbara Taylor
President
High Point Museum
High Point, NC  27262
336-885-1859
www.highpointmuseum.org <http://www.highpointmuseum.org>
[BARBARA TAYLOR]  -----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Sandra L. Harris
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 1:04 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Memo of Understanding
Helo all-

I am looking for models in which a museum partners with a government entity
and creates a Memo of Understanding concerning land use, construction and/or
shared responsibility for operaton costs.

If anyone has a sample document they are able to share I would greatly
appreciate it. We are exploring how a relationship with City govt could be
designed in the above areas to benefit both parties.

Any advice or lessons learned would also be appreciated!

Regards,
Sandra L. Harris
Executive Director
The Neon Museum
821 Las Vegas Blvd. North
Las Vegas, NV 89101
p. 702-387-6366
f. 702-477-7751
www.neonmuseum.org <http://www.neonmuseum.org>
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