I don't think this is very different from the "corporate" or retail sector. The easiest way to convince your board, etc. is to "grow" your institutional base. Increasing attendance, funding, contributions, etc. Alternatively, you can ask your responsible parties to "imagine" a community without cultural resources (I don't have much faith in this path). The other side of the coin is: I am not sure "growing" an institution is productive. We've had 25 years of this consolidation in the "real world" to the detriment of diversity. For example, fast food franchises replacing the local bistro. At any rate, the work has to be done BEFORE we see an increase. Even then people are very practical and may not give you the raise you deserve. Still, growing the pie is the surest bet. Richard de Koster Executive Director Constitution Island Association West Point, New York www.constitutionisland.org www.highlands.com/art -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Sarah Andrews Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 1:03 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Value to the Community Maybe this discussion would benefit from a shift in direction. We've been over the pay vs. love of the job issue a thousand times. Can anyone offer some good concrete suggestions for HOW to convince our boards, our community and our country of the value of our institutions as historic, cultural and artistic resources? If we use this list as a forum to develop ideas, and start implementing them...well I think that 2500 people across the country could actually make the beginnings of a difference! Has anyone out there succeeded already, even in a small way, of obtaining higher pay, better benefits or improved work conditions that could be replicated elsewhere? Sarah Andrews Woodrow Wilson House Washington, DC ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.263 / Virus Database: 135 - Release Date: 6/22/2001 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.263 / Virus Database: 135 - Release Date: 6/22/2001 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).