How about for a quick fix now stating a thank you to the exhibits committee of the board (so you don't, heaven forbid, ruffle anyone else's feathers by mentioning him and not them...), then devise a policy about signage et al for the next time this situation arises. Tori Mason Historic Croft House Manager Nashville Zoo at Grassmere 615-833-1534 x130 http://www.nashvillezoo.org/grassmere-historic-home *Nashville Zoo Mission:* *To inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and research.* *Grassmere Historic Farm Mission:To preserve and interpret the Croft House and Grassmere Historic Farm, in order to enrich and inspire our visitors, and to educate them about the past, present and future of the property known as the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere.* *-* On Tue, Dec 3, 2013 at 2:45 PM, Elizabeth Simon <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > Some good points have been made in this discussion, but I have to disagree > with what seems to be the general consensus. First, it was petty of the > board member to complain; he is trying to exercise power for the personal > gain of prestige and a feeling of importance. Second, listing him implies > that he did something beyond the normal contribution of a board member. > Third, we all do things that are worthy of praise but are normal parts of > our jobs; it's what we do, and our rewards are the respect and trust of > colleagues, the knowledge we gain from the experience, the good we do for > the organization, and personal satisfaction. Board members, especially, > should lead by example and curb the need for personal glory. > > However, looking at the issue from the perspective of real-world politics, > my guess is that you will have to list the board member to avoid > unnecessary friction. Then develop a specific policy to go along with other > policies you have about signage. Though not a cure-all, it will give you > something to reference if the situation comes up again. > > Elizabeth > > > On Tue, Dec 3, 2013 at 12:31 PM, Anne Lane <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> Thank you, Paul. I know that, as a typical low-paid and hard-working >> museum professional, it always makes me feel good to see my name on a sign, >> even if it is "just part of my job." Think about it. If you're a clerk in a >> store, you ring up the sale and hand out change/receipts/whatever, and the >> customer just walks away. Sure, you're getting paid for handling this >> transaction. But you still feel bad. The customer who smiles, who takes the >> time to read your name tag and thank you personally, makes you feel good. >> Makes you want to keep on doing a good job. What value do we, as public >> institutions, place on good will? >> Anne >> ANNE T LANE >> Administrative Support >> Mountain Heritage Center >> Western Carolina University >> Cullowhee NC 28723 >> 828-227-7129 >> >> >> >> >> >> On Dec 3, 2013, at 11:55 AM, Paul Pearson wrote: >> >> Hi Kendra, >> >> I empathize with your situation. It is a touchy position to be in, >> especially after the fact. >> >> I used to feel the same way about staff and board acknowledgements on >> credit panels for exhibitions. My thinking changed over the years and for a >> long time now I feel that offering public thanks for supporting projects is >> a simple and good thing to do at every reasonable opportunity, even for >> people whose contributions fit in with their normal roles within the >> organization. Vetting long lists is a hassle, but worth it. Staff, trustees >> and directors of other products and projects (magazines, journals, >> websites, capital projects, etc.) are often acknowledged as a matter of >> course. Exhibitions and program initiatives are no different, in my mind >> anyway. Not only a nice way of publically crediting the great work of staff >> and board members in the project itself, a full acknowledgement panel sends >> a signal to visitors and other stakeholders that yours is a project and >> organization that is supported by many and can accomplish wonderful things >> together as a team of dedicated individuals. >> >> Of course, every organization should have its own policy and practices on >> acknowledgements that would aid its actions and explanations to those who >> question the results. >> >> Good luck with your resolution on this. >> >> Paul >> >> >> >> On Tue, Dec 3, 2013 at 10:45 AM, Kendra Cook <[log in to unmask]>wrote: >> >>> Listers, >>> >>> A question has come up here regarding giving a board member credit for >>> an exhibit. We recently installed a new ‘permanent’ exhibit (a gas >>> station, specifically) and included is a sign thanking all those who helped >>> in the restoration—contractors, volunteers, and those who donated items to >>> display in the building interior. I did not list staff members who worked >>> on the restoration because they’re staff members and completed the work as >>> part of their job, not because they volunteered time and/or money to the >>> project. >>> >>> >>> >>> Now, a board member is complaining that he is not listed on the >>> thank-you for his efforts in getting the building here. I feel he is in >>> the same boat as staff members. He is a member of the exhibits committee >>> and set up the meeting with the previous owner of the gas station. He did >>> not persuade the previous owner to donate it or even lower the sales price, >>> he did not donate the monies to have the building hauled to our location, >>> etc. He did not, if I’m being perfectly frank, even donate an afternoon to >>> help paint or do any of the ‘grunt work.’ I feel that he acted within his >>> scope as a board member and therefore does not get thanked specifically by >>> name in any signage. Am I incorrect in this thinking? Does anybody here >>> have policies (unofficial or otherwise) about thanking board members in >>> exhibit signage? >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Kendra Cook >>> >>> Curator >>> >>> Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles >>> >>> 85 South Walnut Street >>> >>> Boyertown, PA 19512 >>> >>> (610)367-2090 >>> >>> www.boyertownmuseum.org >>> >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: >>> http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 >>> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: >> http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: >> http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 >> > > > ------------------------------ > > To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: > http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 > ========================================================= 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).