I am forwarding this message from the Executive Director of the Canadian Museums Association. Canadian Museum professionals have an amazing opportunity  to comment on how the federal government views/validates/funds our museums -- let your voice be heard.

Caroline Posynick
Contract Collections Manager
Victoria, British Columbia
currently at Government House, BC
Office of the Lieutenant Governor and
The Ceremonial Home of all British Columbians
http://www.ltgov.bc.ca/default.htm

ps Mr McAvity gave me wonderful advice on how to 'do more' to use my museum studies degree and land a museum job. He said to keep networking, continue to have hope and my time will come. He was right, and I appreciate his confidence. . . in both opportunities available and my responsibility to keep searching.

From: "John McAvity" <[log in to unmask]>
>URGENT REQUEST
>
>Last week CMA sent out a notice to remind you of the approaching deadline for input over the development of a new Canadian Museums Policy with much needed new funds.  Some people are finding this deadline difficult..
>
>I am actually on vacation now in NB but I am so concerned that I am writing this message to all of the museum community to take action now.
>
>To date, the Dept of Canadian Heritage has not had many responses so this is a critical issue--only 14 which I hope is not a barometer of interest in this critical issue as we are all agreed over the need for new funding for museums across Canada.
>
>That deadline for your input is August 31 and  I STRONGLY urge you to send in your input regardless of how lengthy or informal--- simply do your best to get something in.
>
>A few people have complained over the deadline, however, in fairness to the Department, they issued this invitation in mid June with a deadline of August 31 which should be enough time.   CMA has sent out several notices reminding you of this deadline and we have been sending out other annoucements since last autumn on this issue.  This is  YOUR OPPORTUNITY FOR INPUT.   Take advantage of it.
>
>CMA has worked very hard on this matter and we want to see a new Policy introduced as soon as possible.
>
>Timing is critical..... The reality is we have a Minister (Hon. Liza Frulla) who is completely committed to bring in a new policy with major new funding which we have long requested.   However, we are facing an election, likely in February or March, so we need to pull together as a community to achieve this new policy BEFORE an election while we have a supportive minister, otherwise we may be waiting for many more years!
>
>Send in your views but also to help us lobby for a new policy and new funding..  CMA has estimated the new programs it has recommended to be about $75million per year, which would bring the museum community across Canada on the same level with other cultural sectors.   We have proposed a new program called Museums in Communities which would provide multi-year funding of from $25,000 to $400,000 per year for museums.
>
>Presently MAP is at $9 million per year and other federal programs offer additional assistance but our sector is well below others and has not benefited from new programs or a new policy.
>
>Please join us in this exercise.  Send in your views to Dept of Canadian Heritage and help us lobby other cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament for this result which is what we all want and need.
>
>Would you please meet with your Member of Parliament to brief him or her on this issue?
>
>For a copy of the Discussion Paper from Dept of Canadian Heritage, please go to www.canadianheritage.gc.ca or use this link: http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/ph/pubs/mus-pol-mus/pdf/guide_e.pdf
>
>For further information on CMA's recommendations, go to www.museums.ca and look at our Advocacy Alerts.
>
>Thank you for your support!
>
>John McAvity (somewhere in southern NB now!)
>Executive Director
>Canadian Museums Association.
>
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