IN RESPONSE TO:

"
What are your opinion(s) on Board members making friends and
socializing with a Director's staff? And if a Board ask they
want to speak to staff members, is that proper?

Especially where rumors begin to surface, and one knows the
skuttle-butt came from the staff member about you.

IMHO, Board's should leave the issues to the director,
and/or if there is a problem, go directly to the director.
It has made a conflict of interest with trust for the board
member, and more distrust for the staff member.

Opinions -- are welcomed."

I OFFER:

While my title is "Director," I work for a "Superintendent"
who is the museum's CEO.  Some of the Board members were
friends of mine before they became Board members, so it's a
bit late to stop now.  We encourage socialization and
communication, but make sure it's clearly understood that
the staff works for the Superintendent not for the Board.
That is to say, Board members cannot micromanage staff
activities, but we encourage them to know what's going on in
the museum - it makes them better fund raisers and
spokespersons.

If rumors arise, expose them ASAP - if they're correct, take
action to remedy, and if they're false, put them to rest.
One or two direct confrontations with someone who's
spreading rumors will usually stop them cold - it's no fun
if you can't get away with it.


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C. L. Dill, Museum Director
State Historical Society of North Dakota
612 East Boulevard
Bismarck  ND  58505-0830
P: (701)328-2666
F: (701)328-3710
E:  [log in to unmask]
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