Here's a new/old topic to get our minds off the Getty episode:

RE:  When to say when
MyFlee,

Your intentions to build your resume are very practical and your intensions to
save this museum are very noble, however, consider this: not every museum is
worth saving.  Stephen Weil has written some very good articles on this
subject, including "Creampuffs and Hardball:  Are You Really Worth What You
Cost?"  (Museum News Sept/Oct 1994).  When I first heard him give this talk
for the New Jersey Assoc. of Museums in June 1994, I was very opposed.  Of
course every museum is worth it!  Isn't that what we believe in?  With time I
have come to accept his ideas.

So here's a question: if the board, volunteers, and town do not support this
institution, is it worth the effort you are planning to put into it?

If you decide that, yes, this institution is worth saving, then by all means,
find a way to get paid!  Come in as a professional and expect to be treated as
such.  Otherwise, I fear, that the town will continue to think of this as an
amusement for some volunteers rather than as a serious community benefit.

I have worked with some dedicated volunteers and trustees to build my own
institution up from a privately held museum, and some may say amusement for
its founder, to one that is perceived as a professional museum that is a
benefit to the community.

Start from the position that your skills & expertise are worth paying for.  I
agree with a previous comment that you start grant-writing first.  This was my
institution's first step in hiring professional staff eight years ago.
Perhaps you can find someone to fund a two-year directorship.  That will give
you time to really accomplish something.  Then consider applying for a MAP I
report.  That will give you a concrete path to follow, and something you can
take to the town fathers (and mothers) to prove your position.

I wish you all the best,

Elaine Clements Zopes
Director
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts
201-377-2982 -- phone
[log in to unmask]

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From:   Museum discussion list on behalf of MyFlee
Sent:   Tuesday, October 15, 1996 1:03 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        When to say when

Two months ago I walked into a local history Museum willing to donate my
time while I am currently seeking employment in the Museum Ed. field.  I
soon found out that this museum has been operating on a budget of about
two dollars.  They have one full time secretary and two semi-volunteers.
Of course they were over joyed to have me volunteer...esp. since I had
experience.  I've since come to realize that this place is in serious
trouble.  They turn tours away because they don't have the staff to run
them.  The Town (which supports the Museum) believe it should be 100%
voluntarily run.  And the Board of Directors is so disouraged after
running the place for over a year they are all about to abdicate.

Here's my question.  I am more than willing to donate as much time as I
have to start things rolling once again.  It's great experience for me and
they need as much help as they possibly can get.  I've begun with setting
up a Docent/Volunteer training manual and am now actively recruiting new
volunteers.  (My own time and my own money).  I'd love to dive into the
Education Programs head first because I have some wonderful ideas that
would work...but I just don't know how far I should go knowing that there
will be no one to continue should someone out there decide to hire me.

I have the full support of the Board of Directors, and semi support from
the staff of three.  There is more to do at this Museum than I could
possibly ever accomplish.  It's almost like working from the ground up.
How far do I build?