I like James suggestions!
You've already provided the two most global requirements/definitions.
When you say federal definition, are you referring to the IMLS
eligibility requirements:
"An organization uses a professional staff if it employs at least one
professional staff member, or the fulltime equivalent, whether paid or
unpaid primarily engaged in the acquisition, care, or exhibition to the
public of objects owned or used by the institution.
An organization "exhibits objects to the general public" if such
exhibition is a primary purpose of the institution. Further, an
organization which exhibits objects to the general public for at least
120 days a year shall be deemed to exhibit objects to the general public
on a regular basis. "
If the federal government is willing to entertain a grant request from
you and considers you a museum, why should this trustee disagree?
But I wonder what the trustee's agenda is. Does he/she want you to be
open more hours? Or does not want you to be considered a museum, because
that might bring specific rules/limitations/guidelines on how to
operate (as in - can't have a party in the room on the furniture because
it's a museum)?
One thing's for sure. You can't have a trustee going around saying that
in your community if you expect to raise any local funds. You don't want
suspicions about the validity of your operation planted in the minds of
prospective funders. I hope your board president speaks directly to this
trustee about how damaging those statements can be.
Cindy Boyer
Director of Museums and Education
The Landmark Society of Western New York
133 S. Fitzhugh St.
Rochester NY 14608
(585) 546-7029 ext. 12
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The Landmark Society: Revitalizing Yesterday, Protecting Today, and
Planning for Tomorrow
www.landmarksociety.org <http://www.landmarksociety.org/>
Confessions of a Preservationist: The Landmark Society blog
<http://landmarksocietywny.blogspot.com/>
Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12149056258> / MySpace
<http://www.myspace.com/landmarksociety>
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of James Schulte
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 6:48 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Help with a board member
Katherine,
Interesting to say the least,
In my area many historical societies(museums) are open Sundays from
1pm-4 pm and Wednesdays 1pm-4pm and that's it. Some close from November
to March( so you are already open more than around here)
My suggestion to this board members is simple you want us open more( get
us the money)( it is part of his/her job) or provide tours on your time
to allow us to open the site more often. Interesting that a museum has
to be open a specific period of time to be considered one however
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of IHS Curator
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 9:44 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Help with a board member
Hi Museum List,
I am looking for support, suggestions, guidance, anything to help the
board and staff deal with a board member who vocally and repeatedly
insists that "we can't possibly be a museum because we aren't open to
public enough."
We are a small institution with two houses and are open to the public
Memorial Day through Columbus Day and Sundays during the rest of the
year.
The board president has already provided the trustee with the AAM
definition and federal definitions of a museum and has asked me for any
other additional support.
Please feel free to email me off the list [log in to unmask]
Thanks!
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