Bob, it's an interesting idea.  Maybe others have tried it.  It would be
good to know if a decently qualified applicant for such a situation can be
found, and whether that revenue goal can be met.

Lots of variables outside this position's scope affect program income.  It
seems this person will need to direct the museum's marketing, membership
development, school relationships, and exhibits -- the whole chemistry of
the institution -- or else, if revenue goals aren't met, the blame for
failure may rest on other shoulders.

Fundraising departments/staff fail, some years, to pay for themselves in
some environments.  If they fall into that pattern over 2-3 years, then it's
time for the director/board to make tough decisions.

If the board is intrigued with the idea, perhaps it might be realistic to
evaluate success in the third year -- i.e., raising one's own salary --
rather than the first two.  It usually takes that long for an initiative to
get off the ground.

Respectfully, and with tongue in cheek, might I suggest that a museum is not
a used car lot where one must rely on sales to stay employed.  But if this
approach is pursued, would the new person get a HIGHER salary if the goal is
exceeded -- similar to a commission at Joe's Cars or Acme Realty?

Ross Weeks Jr.
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-----Original Message-----
From: Robert T. Handy <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, October 01, 1998 7:59 PM
Subject: Generating Own Salary


>I have informed my Executive Committee that my FY'99 budget will include
>a proposal to create a Program Development Officer to the staff and that
>the person filling this position will be expected to generate his/her
>salary the first year and in five years and beyond, generate 150% of the
>salary.  They took it well but asked that I include with my proposal,
>the general thinking within the profession on such an approach and some
>example of other museums that take this approach.
>
>Guess what I'm looking for?  Do any of you do this?  If so, how well
>does it work?
>--
>Bob Handy, Director
>Brazoria County Historical Museum
>100 East Cedar
>Angleton, Texas 77515
>(409) 864-1208
>(409) 864-1217 (Fax)
>http://www.bchm.org