Doing after-hours programs can become a difficult chore.  The CEO is
expected to be the goodwill ambassador for the museum.  That means there is
no such thing as a 40-hr. workweek.  Our historical societies tend to meet
on Sunday afternoons.  Our DAR, etc. are Saturday folks.  There are annual
conferences on this or that, especially cultural tourism, that take an
entire day even if I'm just the luncheon program.  For programs outside the
immediate community, we specify that mileage must be reimbursed.  We do not
charge a fee.  If an honorarium is offered, my practice is to turn it over
to the museum -- it is the safest thing to do, as opposed to having anyone
think I'm "making money" from my position.  Museum types  in government or
university settings are probably governed by policies from above.

    Yet I am among those who tend to resent organizations with relatively
affluent members that expect programs and even consulting assistance without
some expense.   Our museum has a "Saturday series" and we always provide an
honorarium of at least $200 and, if the trip is more than 50 miles
round-trip, we offer to pay mileage.  I sleep more soundly knowing that we,
at least, have done what is right.

    Ross Weeks Jr.
    http://histcrab.netscope.net

From: Bill Maurer <[log in to unmask]>


>As the Director of a small historic house, I am asked to talk at a number
of
>meetings.  These meetings fall into three categories: the first are
luncheon
>meetings of civic clubs like the Lions or Rotary. Secondly are Senior
>Citizen meetings in the afternoon and third, historical societies in the
>evening.
>
>The first usually provide lunch and this is a fifteen minute to a half hour
>presentation on the house, site and its history.  If close by, takes up my
>lunch hour. The second, the Seniors, want to see the half hour video and
>have a full presentation.  Coffee and cookies are provided.  The talk goes
>on for an hour or so and sometime can last into the middle of the
afternoon.
>No money is offered and really, none expected. Note that both of these take
>place on "company" time. There is the promise of visiting the house in the
>future.
>
>The historical societies have their meetings in the evening and get the
full
>treatment. Video, talk, maybe a special show and tell artifact or two.  For
>this I ask for a donation for my historic house.  Last night was $50.  This
>meeting was 36 miles from my office. I arrived there about six o'clock,
>walked around the town, killed some time, bought my own dinner and after
the
>meeting was over, drove 81 miles home, arriving after 11 PM.
>
>
>Two weeks ago I spoke to a group that handed me a check for $100 but after
>hearing their budget and their projects (and their balance) returned the
>check. (An aside to this was the following weekend a contributor to my site
>stopped in and asked if I had talked to that historical society yet. I said
>yes and he asked how much was I paid? I said they were in such bad shape, I
>donated it back to their archival program. He was upset because the
>historical society had hit him up for the "fee" and he wanted me and my
>house to have it!)
>
>My question is a two parter.  Do you charge for talks to these groups and,
>do you personally keep the money or does it go to the site's budget? I
think
>a written policy would help everyone involved with this and want your
ideas.
>Any thoughts?
>Bill Maurer
>www.gomez.org