David,

First let me stress that what happened to me was an
isolated incident. I still believe that board members
who also volunteer can be an enormous asset to a
museum.

As for filing for an appeal, when I was fired it was
so unexpected that I was speechless-a postion I don't
find myself in very often. Following my dismissal, I
did consider appealing.  No matter how corny this
might sound, I still felt a loyalty to the museum and
especially my staff.  I felt that if the appeal became
lengthy it might have extended low morale among my
staff, resulted in people taking sides, and hurt the
museum if the news became public. Despite my problems,
the museum was and is a darn good one.

In addition, I didn't feel that being reinstated
would have solved the problem with the volunteers. Yes,
they probably think they ran me off, but staying wasn't
going to make me any more effective in contoling their
distructive actions.  There is another curator there
now and maybe she is having better luck with them
than I had.  They have also just got a new director
who may not be so intimidated by board members.

In retrospect, an appeal might have been helpful in
securing another museum position.  I don't lie about
being fired, although I try to explain the circumstances
without bad-mouthing anyone.  Despite my commitment,
qualifications, and accomplishments, in two years I
have seldom got farther in an interview than my
dismissal from that museum.  The longer I am out of
the museum field, the more unlikely it seems that I
will ever get back in.  The decision not to appeal may
not have been the right one for me, but I still think
I did the best thing for my former staff and the museum.

Belinda