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
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
The Landmark Society: Revitalizing Yesterday, Protecting
Today, and Planning for Tomorrow
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!
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. You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a
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message should read "help" (without the quotes).
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