Hi Matthew,
 
It seems to me that the larger problem is how your volunteers are evaluated. If someone charged with enough responsibility to warrant a title (especially "Director of Something Something") does not show up enough to fulfill that responsibility then the program needs to change. What do you do to train these volunteers, then insure they are adequately performing the tasks? Is there a minimum amount of hours they are required to work in a given week/month?
 
Although I'd be nervous about giving a "Director" title to a volunteer, it could be a good incentive to keep your volunteer crew loyal to your museum. Unfortunately, some of them are underperforming. I would treat the volunteer program as though it were a job, with job descriptions, performance evaluations, hour requirements, etc.
 
That's my $0.02.
 
Best,

George Garner
Director of Exhibitions
Center for History
808 West Washington, South Bend, IN 46601
www.centerforhistory.org
 

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Celebrate Women's History Month in March at the Center for History.  Visit our exhibition about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was immortalized by the film, A League of Their Own.
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Matthew Burchette
Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 2:08 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Volunteers with "titles"

Okay, here is another one. I am just full of questions this month! Anyway, what do your museums do about giving volunteers titles? I am in a situation where almost everyone here has a title. Mind you it is not "Volunteer Curator" or "Volunteer archivist." No, it is "Director of Collections," "Curator of Models," or "Director of Exhibits." Some of these people are in the museum once a month - maybe. And they have phone extensions and email. They also have business cards that give these titles! I think this puts out the wrong message to the public. What happens when a person calls for the "Director of Collections," leaves a message, and does not get a return phone call for three days cause the person has not come in?! Also, are we setting ourselves up for any legal quandaries by letting this go on? Now, I will say that the museum has been largely run by volunteers for a LOOONG time, and most have done - and are doing - a great job. But the title things I think has to change.
 
Solutions? Help? Advice? Flaming?
 
Thanks,
  
Matthew
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