This is a sensitive and critical issue that I'd like to ask of list  members 
who are willing to advise me on.
 
In turn, I am advising and assisting our museum chapter members (who  
established an autonomous museum charter through a chapter of a national  
association) during the decision-making process which will decide whether or not  the 
museum chapter can continue to function. There are some details that I'd  rather 
not discuss in a public forum, but for the most part I can freely provide  
information while seeking advice and opinions regarding the matter of the  
potential dissolution of our museum.
 
Unfortunately, there are no known existing charter documents to  provide for 
transferal of ownership of the museum's collections.  There is a possibility 
that this can be and will be decided and voted  upon by the members along with 
the dissolution of the museum  chapter/charter. 
 
First and foremost the alumni members who established this museum have  
expressed a wish for the collections to stay in Connecticut, that they  remain 
intact as a collection and that they be accessible to the  general public. There 
have been individuals among our membership who have  offered the collections to 
other non-profit museums and organizations, but  this has not met with 
success. Likewise, various individuals and  organizations have been asked to operate 
the museum as it exists.
 
The museum is struggling to operate as an non-profit,  all-volunteer entity. 
Currently, I am the sole volunteer-worker in the  museum, with the assistance 
of a State employee, who is the appointed Curator  and able to manage the 
museum as part of her job duties.
 
Except for a CAP grant and a small technology grant that I previously  
obtained for the museum (and a fundraiser that is providing small, residual  
quarterly payments), as an all-volunteer organization we do not have the ability  to 
apply for and administer large grant awards. There is the possibility that  
this could be done via two somewhat affiliated parent organizations,  however I 
foresee difficulty with this since these organizations would be  required to 
commit funding, resources and the administering of grant  awards to care for 
collections, etc.,  that are not under their  ownership.
 
I'd like to advise the museum to consider transferring ownership of the  
collections to one of these two organizations, as long as there can be a legal  
written condition to allow for the wishes of the members. Do you know if such a  
stipulation can be made and expected to be honored?
 
Since 1993 we've had a special use permit for the building to house  the 
collections, however, the state agency which owns the building has not and  does 
not appear to be willing  to repair and maintain this historic  building as a 
facility to properly house the collections. So even if I were to  solicit 
funding via donations or grants to care for the collections, etc., it  would be a 
disservice for me to do so because of the poor environmental  conditions 
present in the building.
 
The museum has operated without a director for several years now, since his  
passing. Rather than appoint a director, the president (or co-presidents) of 
the  chapter serve as the director(s). Currently, none of the members are 
interested  in volunteering or being appointed to this position nor any of the  
offices of the board of directors. They are struggling to abide by the  bylaws of 
the national association in order to maintain their local chapter and  museum 
charter.
 
There is no lack of desire to keep the museum going -but because the  
majority of the members are the most elderly of the senior citizen  population...they 
simply cannot. The remaining membership is not large enough to  sustain the 
chapter, but I have promised them that I'll do anything to assist  them with 
their best interests in mind.
 
Currently, as much as I need a paying position and wish to seek  professional 
museum work, I am volunteering and have committed to utilizing a  previous 
grant award for which I will receive a small honorarium. There was the  
possibility of funding for a seasonal position, but I learned last week that the  
funding was not available. Regardless, I am totally committed to assisting the  
alumni (of the Civilian Conservation Corps) and they appreciate this and have  
put their faith in me.
 
I've called for a meeting at the end of this month to put all the  
options/alternatives available to the museum on the table for discussion,  consideration 
and otherwise provide a forum that may assist in leading to  an informed 
decision. Therefore it is my responsibility to research and present  this 
information.
 
List members are welcome to make comments, offer suggestions, etc., and  
invited to join us in considering our options. Please feel free to e-mail me  
offlist or call me (if you leave a message, I can return US calls toll free from  
home).
 
As an aside, I find that this list has been extremely helpful in many ways  
(I appreciate this), though at times I'm conflicted  -by my inability to be  
considered as a peer on a professional level and because of the  many critical 
concerns I've accepted responsibility for and  contend with at this museum. I 
do not have other museum professionals to  regularly consult with or to assist 
me, and I don't want to make it  seem like I'm constantly relying on 'free' 
advice and assistance from this  list.
 
Please understand that although I have a solid academic background and  
training and knowledge in museum work, it is limited as I have as yet to be  
employed, professionally in a museum. Meanwhile, trying to assist and be  productive 
under the circumstances I find myself in, is a little bit much at  times and 
it shows!
 
I'm taking a leap of faith really in hopes of some, any help. Thank  you.
 
Pam
 
 
Pamela Silvestri, Museum Assistant
Northeast States Civilian  Conservation Corps Museum
Shenipsit State Forest
166 Chestnut Hill  Road
Stafford Springs, Connecticut 06076
Telephone: (860)  684-3430
e-mail: [log in to unmask]

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