Ross sums this up. When we have a speaker at my historic house to include
someone running a program, we usually pay them $100. These are for Sunday
afternoons and I appreciate the time spent preparing, traveling and
presenting. I feel that a Sunday afternoon is usually the speakers own time
and he/she no matter how interested in their message, deserves to be
compensated.
Bill

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of Ross Weeks
> Sent: Saturday, April 24, 1999 10:16 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Speaking Engagements
>
>
> Doing after-hours programs can become a difficult chore.  The CEO is
> expected to be the goodwill ambassador for the museum.  That
> means there is
> no such thing as a 40-hr. workweek.  Our historical societies tend to meet
> on Sunday afternoons.  Our DAR, etc. are Saturday folks.  There are annual
> conferences on this or that, especially cultural tourism, that take an
> entire day even if I'm just the luncheon program.  For programs
> outside the
> immediate community, we specify that mileage must be reimbursed.
> We do not
> charge a fee.  If an honorarium is offered, my practice is to turn it over
> to the museum -- it is the safest thing to do, as opposed to having anyone
> think I'm "making money" from my position.  Museum types  in government or
> university settings are probably governed by policies from above.
>
>     Yet I am among those who tend to resent organizations with relatively
> affluent members that expect programs and even consulting
> assistance without
> some expense.   Our museum has a "Saturday series" and we always
> provide an
> honorarium of at least $200 and, if the trip is more than 50 miles
> round-trip, we offer to pay mileage.  I sleep more soundly
> knowing that we,
> at least, have done what is right.
>
>     Ross Weeks Jr.
>     http://histcrab.netscope.net
>
> From: Bill Maurer <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
> >As the Director of a small historic house, I am asked to talk at a number
> of
> >meetings.  These meetings fall into three categories: the first are
> luncheon
> >meetings of civic clubs like the Lions or Rotary. Secondly are Senior
> >Citizen meetings in the afternoon and third, historical societies in the
> >evening.
> >
> >The first usually provide lunch and this is a fifteen minute to
> a half hour
> >presentation on the house, site and its history.  If close by,
> takes up my
> >lunch hour. The second, the Seniors, want to see the half hour video and
> >have a full presentation.  Coffee and cookies are provided.  The
> talk goes
> >on for an hour or so and sometime can last into the middle of the
> afternoon.
> >No money is offered and really, none expected. Note that both of
> these take
> >place on "company" time. There is the promise of visiting the
> house in the
> >future.
> >
> >The historical societies have their meetings in the evening and get the
> full
> >treatment. Video, talk, maybe a special show and tell artifact
> or two.  For
> >this I ask for a donation for my historic house.  Last night was
> $50.  This
> >meeting was 36 miles from my office. I arrived there about six o'clock,
> >walked around the town, killed some time, bought my own dinner and after
> the
> >meeting was over, drove 81 miles home, arriving after 11 PM.
> >
> >
> >Two weeks ago I spoke to a group that handed me a check for $100
> but after
> >hearing their budget and their projects (and their balance) returned the
> >check. (An aside to this was the following weekend a contributor
> to my site
> >stopped in and asked if I had talked to that historical society
> yet. I said
> >yes and he asked how much was I paid? I said they were in such
> bad shape, I
> >donated it back to their archival program. He was upset because the
> >historical society had hit him up for the "fee" and he wanted me and my
> >house to have it!)
> >
> >My question is a two parter.  Do you charge for talks to these
> groups and,
> >do you personally keep the money or does it go to the site's budget? I
> think
> >a written policy would help everyone involved with this and want your
> ideas.
> >Any thoughts?
> >Bill Maurer
> >www.gomez.org
>