Particularly, if you have a museum primarily operated
by volunteers, the last thing you want to do is anger
or upset these volunteers. And, titles are a lot
cheaper than paychecks, particularly if you cannot
afford the paychecks.
Since apparently this situation has gone on for a
while, has there been any major problems? If it is not
broken, do not try to fix it!
I would assume that most of these volunteers check
their e-mail, at least a few times a week. If not,
then you could suggest that their e-mail be directoed
to a "receptionist" until they are available to check
it.
Likewise with telephone calls. If there is a call to a
volunteer's extension, and the volunteer is not in
the building, a "receptionist" should be able to take
the call.
Now, this is all assuming that you can afford a
"receptionist" for these extra duties. If you cannot
afford such a receptionist, then your museum is so
small that the public will just have to understand
that the museum's meager resources have to be
allocated according to the highest priorities in
fulfilling the museum's mission.
gaw
--- Matthew Burchette <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2005 01:08:11 -0700
From: "Matthew Burchette" <[log in to unmask]> Add
to Address Book
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Volunteers with "titles"
To: [log in to unmask]
Okay, here is another one. I am just full of questions
this month! Anyway, what do your museums do about
giving volunteers titles? I am in a situation where
almost everyone here has a title. Mind you it is not
"Volunteer Curator" or "Volunteer archivist." No, it
is "Director of Collections," "Curator of Models," or
"Director of Exhibits." Some of these people are in
the museum once a month - maybe. And they have phone
extensions and email. They also have business cards
that give these titles! I think this puts out the
wrong message to the public. What happens when a
person calls for the "Director of Collections," leaves
a message, and does not get a return phone call for
three days cause the person has not come in?! Also,
are we setting ourselves up for any legal quandaries
by letting this go on? Now, I will say that the museum
has been largely run by volunteers for a LOOONG time,
and most have done - and are doing - a great job. But
the title things I think has to change.
Solutions? Help? Advice? Flaming?
Thanks,
Matthew
Adopt a Greyhound!
gaw
Glenn A. Walsh
Electronic Mail - < [log in to unmask] >
Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --
* Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh:
< http://www.planetarium.cc >
* Adler Planetarium, Chicago:
< http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com >
* Astronomer & Optician John A. Brashear:
< http://johnbrashear.tripod.com >
* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries:
< http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc >
* Duquesne Incline cable-car railway, Pittsburgh:
< http://www.incline.cc >
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