Mark,

The most important thing in working on conservation projects with
voluneers or interns is consistent supervision and oversite. A team
appraoch should be taken in which everyone is briefed as to what the
treatment protocols are for the project, a review of materials and
methods, and also a review of any safety issues (very important). Team
up the more experienced and responsible members with the less
experienced. And if you have to only allow they to do small,
individual steps, to be reviewed before they are allowed to go
further. Never let an untrained and inexperienced volunteer work alone
with either chemicals or powertools - as in any activity that carried
risk and liability the "buddy system" rule should be in place.

One problem that I have encountered wuite a bit is the syndrome of the
"know everything" home restorer. They tend to think that they know it
all and will take shortcuts or use the methods most familiar to they
in lieu of what is specified for the project. You either have to
really watch these types or just not use them at all. The best success
that I've had is really with the lesser experienced volunteers who are
more careful and willing to listen and learn, and in conservation,
with the postgraduate interns who have made the choice to dedicate
themselves to the profession.

Other commonsense rules that we use is that if people are not focussed
or tired or sick that they either take frequent breaks or just not
work on an artifact - have them do something else that needs doing.
Because of alot of repetitive motion in this work it is important to
watch how people do tasks to to facilitate the most comofratable way
of going about it - the same way you would check on how folks lift and
carry objects or parts. Frequent breaks, also encouraging them to
switch hands (that also builds ambidexteritry) can be helpful also.

Its good that the team hear about the larger aspects of the project -
tell them about the hsitory and importance of what they are working
on. This gets them to treat the project with more respect and care
than refinishing a lawn chair in the backyard sort of mindset.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California

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