Ross Weeks said:  " hmmmmm....and when that competitive
     volunteer buys something with the express intention of
     leaving it to the one museum that really makes use of
     this volunteer's expertise, time, and interest?  It is
     not a black/white issue."

     Nope, it certainly isn't.  Our policy calls for staff
     and volunteer staff to offer the item to the museum to
     avoid conflict.  The museum must, if it wants the
     object, pay at least what the staffer paid.
     Intentions, wills (found and not found, etc.) being
     what they are, a volunteer's "intention" to donate an
     item at some time in the future is worth zip.  In that
     instance, I'd suggest that the individual donate at
     least a portion of the object to the museum so the
     museum must be contacted in the event that the
     volunteer changes his/her mind, or dies and the snotty
     kids don't "remember" that dear old dad wanted the
     museum to have that piece.  Been there, done that.  If
     they really (REALLY) want the museum to have the
     object, now's the time to make the commitment legally.

     Chris Dill

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C. L. Dill, Museum Director
State Historical Society of North Dakota
612 East Boulevard
Bismarck  ND  58505-0830
P: (701)328-2666
F: (701)328-3710
E:  [log in to unmask]
Visit our Web site at: http://www.state.nd.us/hist/
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