In my understanding, from the rarefied air of a grad school class on ethical
and legal issues in museums, even the appearence of impropriety is almost as
bad as actual impropriety. Additionally, I don't think board members or
employees can profit from their relationship with the non-profit - that is,
if the board member gets this consulting job because he or she has special
knowledge about and access to the museum beyond the reach of the normal
public. If the board member resigned, that might solve the problem, but it
still might look shady.

Kirstin Holm
-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck Stout <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, August 14, 2000 9:23 AM
Subject: Ethical question


I'd like to tap the wisdom of the list on yet another ethics question. Is it
ethical for a museum board member to also be a paid consultant to that
museum? The board isn't involved in making the hiring decision (the museum
director is), and the board member has no influence on the hiring decision
(beyond what any "outsider" would have). The consulting work is related to,
but in no way a part of, the person's duties on the board-- so it's not a
matter of being paid to do work that other board members do for free.

I've turned it over and tried to examine it from all angles in my mind, and
can't see any problem with it, but I'd really like to hear from others with
more experience. Is this in any way a conflict of interest?

Thank you.

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