As someone who obviously wears a uniform, I kind of like the idea of staff
uniforms.  Now I am not advocating heavily starched battledress with spit
shined jump boots, but something more along the lines of a business casual
look.  The California State Military Museum does not currently have a
uniform, but does have badges.  However, I have noticed that if there are
uniformed members of the military touring the museum, members of the public
will ignore docents and staff and go to the soldiers to ask questions.  

If you look at some of the catalogs for industrial uniform companies, they
have a wide range of designs and colors.  Once the supplier has you logo in
their system getting small orders are usually not a problem.  The catalogs I
have seen offer polo shirts, sweaters, t-shirts, etc.  Let the staff know
what is available from the supplier and let them choose.  

This might also be a good retention tool for volunteers.  Every 1,000 hours
of service or completion of a docent course you get a shirt.  It will make
them feel part of the team and isn't that one of the purposes of a uniform?

Daniel M. Sebby
Command Sergeant Major
California Center for Military History
California State Military Department
 
Historian and Webmaster
US Army Museum Activity, California
 
Preserving California's Military Heritage
www.militarymuseum.org 
[log in to unmask] 
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Margaret C. Harmon
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2005 6:57 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Staff uniforms

Well, I LIKE uniforms.  Guests know who to ask for assistance in case of an
emergency and it often brings the staff together.  You could let the wear
various "bottoms" as long as they are clean and profession, but the shirts
(I
like polo shirts) should be of the same design and color.  The idea of  a
scarf
for females is creative.  Maybe I missed the part about payment.  But could
the
museum not pay for two shirts each? 

Margaret Cline Harmon
Recent graduate in Historic Preservation
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of
Elizabeth Caldwell
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2005 3:08 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Staff uniforms

Basically, I'm very against uniforms. I've seen many people take them to
ridiculously strict standards (down to what kind and color socks!).  They do

have a place, but the stricter the uniform , the more unhappy the staff.   
Give the staff a choice.   A long sleeved t-shirt, in a color of their 
choice (or at least three different colors) with the logo of the museum on 
it can look wonderful with dress pants.   Allow for some individuality.   If

you don't have a logo yet, let the staff design what they would like on the 
shirts.  It could be a fun contest of sorts!   Get their involvement in this

process of transition.   To suddenly say "you are going to wear this!" 
without letting them get a chance to say whether or not they like it will
cause
problems.

Also, I do believe others have already brought up the cost of uniforms.   
Polo shirts are a bit more expensive than t-shirts but you may want to give 
the staff the choice of either.   If they choose a polo shirt, you may be 
able to ask them to pay the difference.

Elizabeth Caldwell
Graduate Student


http://www.freewebs.com/strawberriesncreame/
http://resumes.hotjobs.com/jubileel_insaneone/museumcurator




>From: David Lewias <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Staff uniforms
>Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2005 15:23:33 EST
>
>I've been reading what everone's comments and thought I'd add my two 
>cents....
>
>I can see the need for "uniforms" (of some sort) -- but what about 
>thinking a
>bit outta-the-box?   Polo shirts and kaki's are a bit bland in my mind.   
>Is
>there some sort of other "costume" (or even an accessory like a scarf) from
>the Whaling era that could be appropriate?   I'm thinking of something like

>a
>stripped shirt or perhaps a "sailor's-suit shirt"?
>
>I like Ann's comments about a white shirt and tie (that can be
>dressed-up/down).   But rather than a bland blue tie with the NHA logo, 
>what about some
>sorta fun (whimsical) whale tie -- remember the "fish ties" that were 
>so popular a
>few years ago -- *grin*   I know that you're located in Nantucket, and want
>to convey a professional image, but nobody ever said professional had 
>to be "stodgy."
>
>Good luck with the hunt.   My family has property on Martha's Vineyard so
>I'll be eager to come over and see your new space when it opens this 
>summer.
>
>- David -
>David Lewis, Curator
>Aurora Regional Fire Museum
>www.AuroraRegionalFireMuseum.org
>P.S. For those wondering - yes, I wear a fire engine tie at all our formal
>museum events   :-)
>
>
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