Thank you, Paul. I know that, as a typical low-paid and hard-working museum professional, it always makes me feel good to see my name on a sign, even if it is "just part of my job." Think about it. If you're a clerk in a store, you ring up the sale and hand out change/receipts/whatever, and the customer just walks away. Sure, you're getting paid for handling this transaction. But you still feel bad. The customer who smiles, who takes the time to read your name tag and thank you personally, makes you feel good. Makes you want to keep on doing a good job. What value do we, as public institutions, place on good will?
Anne 
ANNE T LANE 
Administrative Support
Mountain Heritage Center
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee NC 28723
828-227-7129





On Dec 3, 2013, at 11:55 AM, Paul Pearson wrote:

> Hi Kendra,
>  
> I empathize with your situation. It is a touchy position to be in, especially after the fact.
>  
> I used to feel the same way about staff and board acknowledgements on credit panels for exhibitions. My thinking changed over the years and for a long time now I feel that offering public thanks for supporting projects is a simple and good thing to do at every reasonable opportunity, even for people whose contributions fit in with their normal roles within the organization. Vetting long lists is a hassle, but worth it. Staff, trustees and directors of other products and projects (magazines, journals, websites, capital projects, etc.) are often acknowledged as a matter of course. Exhibitions and program initiatives are no different, in my mind anyway. Not only a nice way of publically crediting the great work of staff and board members in the project itself, a full acknowledgement panel sends a signal to visitors and other stakeholders that yours is a project and organization that is supported by many and can accomplish wonderful things together as a team of dedicated individuals.
>  
> Of course, every organization should have its own policy and practices on acknowledgements that would aid its actions and explanations to those who question the results.
>  
> Good luck with your resolution on this.
>  
> Paul
>  
> 
> 
> On Tue, Dec 3, 2013 at 10:45 AM, Kendra Cook <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Listers,
> 
> A question has come up here regarding giving a board member credit for an exhibit.  We recently installed a new ‘permanent’ exhibit (a gas station, specifically) and included is a sign thanking all those who helped in the restoration—contractors, volunteers, and those who donated items to display in the building interior.  I did not list staff members who worked on the restoration because they’re staff members and completed the work as part of their job, not because they volunteered time and/or money to the project. 
> 
>  
> 
> Now, a board member is complaining that he is not listed on the thank-you for his efforts in getting the building here.  I feel he is in the same boat as staff members.  He is a member of the exhibits committee and set up the meeting with the previous owner of the gas station.  He did not persuade the previous owner to donate it or even lower the sales price, he did not donate the monies to have the building hauled to our location, etc.  He did not, if I’m being perfectly frank, even donate an afternoon to help paint or do any of the ‘grunt work.’  I feel that he acted within his scope as a board member and therefore does not get thanked specifically by name in any signage.  Am I incorrect in this thinking?  Does anybody here have policies (unofficial or otherwise) about thanking board members in exhibit signage?
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Kendra Cook
> 
> Curator
> 
> Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles
> 
> 85 South Walnut Street
> 
> Boyertown, PA 19512
> 
> (610)367-2090
> 
> www.boyertownmuseum.org
> 
>  
> 
> 
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