>Has anyone out there in museum-land had any experience in starting a >friends/membership program at their institution and/or know of any written >materials on this subject? > Melissa: I have been watching a museum in my area implode, in part because of a Friends program run amok. Although I have no direct experience with them either, I would urge you to urge the small museum you are advising to proceed with caution. There are several good books on Friends or other volunteer programs (no titles come to mind immediately, but check the AAM Bookstore catalog), and they do outline how to set one up, and most importantly, what Friends groups should and should not do. The key is in the Articles of Incorporation for the group, as well as the close working relationship the Board of the group has with the paid staff. The paid staff should always have it in mind just exactly what the Friends group is for (support, not governance) and they should communicate that to the Board of the group on a regular basis. The museum I am watching has a Friends group that for 20 years has mistakenly assumed that they ran the museum (they actually ably ran a gift shop, but little else). They are now in a position to take over the whole megilla, but haven't a clue as to how to run a real museum. Because of their interference, the institution is sliding down the tubes as we speak. The Friends group should never end up in a position where they are directing policy for the institution, and should be informed, rather consulted, about management decisions made by the governing board of the institution with the paid staff. Good luck! Claudia Nicholson Curator of Collections South Dakota State Historical Society, Pierre [log in to unmask]