There is a good, very basic, book called "The Ultimate Board Member's
Book".  It outlines very concisely the qualities of a successful
board, and what is generally expected of board members.  I give a copy
to every new board member at my museum!

On 4/26/12, Alexandra Rollins <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I would start at AAM, which has an archive of information on these subjects
> as well as models.  If you would like to chat offline, I can give you other
> information.
> Best wishes.
>
> Alexandra Rollins
> Alexandra Rollins Associates
> Nonprofit, Grants, Arts Management
> 24 Goodrich Road, Jamaica Plain
> Boston, MA  02130-2005
> 617-524-6007
> www.rollinsupton.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf
> Of Meg Justus
> Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2012 3:01 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [MUSEUM-L] strategic planning
>
> I am currently working on a project at a small local history museum.  The
> board president is my liaison, and she has gotten in the habit of
> discussing museum matters with me, because except for the contract work
> I'm doing for them, they are an all-volunteer organization without much,
> if any, museum experience.  And, no, they're not up to hiring even a part
> time director yet.
>
> She is painfully aware that the board she has inherited is not what it
> should be in terms of doing the work as opposed to just being warm bodies
> at the table.  She knows that the museum needs to plan going forward, and
> that much work is going to have to be done to get to the point where they
> can plan, including recruiting more board members who are actually willing
> to do the work, and making the existing warm bodies realize the museum
> needs more from them if they want to stay on.
>
> What I'm looking for are some good basic articles on the subjects of what
> a good museum board does, and on the importance of (and how to do)
> strategic planning, to give her so she can share them with her board.
> I've been searching myself, but I would prefer some good recommendations
> for reading material for them if anyone has any.
>
> Her heart's decidedly in the right place, but I suspect they've got a long
> uphill road ahead of them.
>
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