Following up on John Handley's apparent line of interest, is
there a correlation (or even association) between museums
holding accreditation credentials from some body (will someone
please identify NASAD for me? Our copy of the _Gale
Encyclopedia of Associations_ has been moved to the New
Building, along with just about everything else), on the one
hand; and what might be called a "decent level" of employee
relations on the other? If this is an unexplored matter it
might make a good topic - effects of museum accreditation - for a
student in a "museum studies" program.
Whatever, I would be interested for the study I am writing.
Henry Grunder, Ed. D.

According to Susan Wageman:
>
> On Wed, 4 Dec 1996, J./B. Moore wrote:
>
> > We are investigating getting accredited by both the AAM and the NASAD, for
> > various sections of our operations.  Our board thinks it would be a
> > wonderful thing for getting additional grants, etc., but exactly how much
> > does accreditation matter for getting grants?
>
> I know of one grantmaking organization that specifically asks about
> accreditation. They require a copy of the most recent accreditation
> report and an update on progress towards addressing any major concerns.
> If not accredited, they want to know "the background for the
> organization's decision not to seek accreditation (if offered in your
> field) or schedule of future plans to seek it." The vast majority of all
> museums funded by this foundation were accredited. Of those that were
> not, only one was not actively pursuing accreditation; and they all had
> good justifications for their status.
>
> One thing you might consider is the response of your board to the idea of
> accreditation. Hopefully, your board members are also some of
> your funders. If they consider it beneficial, it probably is.

(BTW, wouldn't such a relationship constitute conflict of
interest, and be suspect as presenting the likelihood of undue
influence?)

> We are currently in the process of planning for accreditation. Since we
> are in the midst of a capital campaign and will be opening a new facility
> in 1998, we are not quite ready yet. Having carefully considered the
> process of self-examination required, I truly believe (i.e., this is my
> personal opinion and not that of my employer - just like everything else
> in this post) that the "trouble" involved can only make our organization
> stronger. This, in itself, will make it easier to "sell" The Tech and
> its educational program to funders.
>
> As chair of our Accreditation Planning Committee, I am very interested in
> learning more about the process and other institutions' experiences.
> Please feel free to contact me on or off list. Thank you.
>
> Susan Wageman
> Grants Manager                    [log in to unmask]
> The Tech Museum of Innovation     (408) 279-7178
> 145 West San Carlos Street        fax (408) 279-7149
> San Jose, CA  95113  USA          http://www.thetech.org
>