To pick up on one of Cindy's comments: someone needs to uncover the trustee's motive and deeper concerns. The real issue undoubtedly lurks beneath the surface. Discovery is best done by another board member-a peer-to-peer conversation-who's willing to probe in order to get to the full picture. And the sooner, the better, right?! Dean Krimmel, Creative Museum Services/Qm2 Helping Museums and Cultural Nonprofits 423 Range Road Baltimore, MD 21204 <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]; 410-746-8350 <http://www.qm2.org/> http://www.qm2.org From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Cindy Boyer Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 9:32 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Help with a board member I like James suggestions! You've already provided the two most global requirements/definitions. When you say federal definition, are you referring to the IMLS eligibility requirements: "An organization uses a professional staff if it employs at least one professional staff member, or the fulltime equivalent, whether paid or unpaid primarily engaged in the acquisition, care, or exhibition to the public of objects owned or used by the institution. An organization "exhibits objects to the general public" if such exhibition is a primary purpose of the institution. Further, an organization which exhibits objects to the general public for at least 120 days a year shall be deemed to exhibit objects to the general public on a regular basis. " If the federal government is willing to entertain a grant request from you and considers you a museum, why should this trustee disagree? But I wonder what the trustee's agenda is. Does he/she want you to be open more hours? Or does not want you to be considered a museum, because that might bring specific rules/limitations/guidelines on how to operate (as in - can't have a party in the room on the furniture because it's a museum)? One thing's for sure. You can't have a trustee going around saying that in your community if you expect to raise any local funds. You don't want suspicions about the validity of your operation planted in the minds of prospective funders. I hope your board president speaks directly to this trustee about how damaging those statements can be. Cindy Boyer Director of Museums and Education The Landmark Society of Western New York 133 S. Fitzhugh St. Rochester NY 14608 (585) 546-7029 ext. 12 [log in to unmask] The Landmark Society: Revitalizing Yesterday, Protecting Today, and Planning for Tomorrow www.landmarksociety.org <http://www.landmarksociety.org/> Confessions of <http://landmarksocietywny.blogspot.com/> a Preservationist: The Landmark Society blog Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12149056258> / MySpace <http://www.myspace.com/landmarksociety> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of James Schulte Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 6:48 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Help with a board member Katherine, Interesting to say the least, In my area many historical societies(museums) are open Sundays from 1pm-4 pm and Wednesdays 1pm-4pm and that's it. Some close from November to March( so you are already open more than around here) My suggestion to this board members is simple you want us open more( get us the money)( it is part of his/her job) or provide tours on your time to allow us to open the site more often. Interesting that a museum has to be open a specific period of time to be considered one however From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of IHS Curator Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 9:44 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Help with a board member Hi Museum List, I am looking for support, suggestions, guidance, anything to help the board and staff deal with a board member who vocally and repeatedly insists that "we can't possibly be a museum because we aren't open to public enough." We are a small institution with two houses and are open to the public Memorial Day through Columbus Day and Sundays during the rest of the year. The board president has already provided the trustee with the AAM definition and federal definitions of a museum and has asked me for any other additional support. Please feel free to email me off the list [log in to unmask] Thanks! ========================================================= 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). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . 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