Ross Weeks said: " hmmmmm....and when that competitive volunteer buys something with the express intention of leaving it to the one museum that really makes use of this volunteer's expertise, time, and interest? It is not a black/white issue." Nope, it certainly isn't. Our policy calls for staff and volunteer staff to offer the item to the museum to avoid conflict. The museum must, if it wants the object, pay at least what the staffer paid. Intentions, wills (found and not found, etc.) being what they are, a volunteer's "intention" to donate an item at some time in the future is worth zip. In that instance, I'd suggest that the individual donate at least a portion of the object to the museum so the museum must be contacted in the event that the volunteer changes his/her mind, or dies and the snotty kids don't "remember" that dear old dad wanted the museum to have that piece. Been there, done that. If they really (REALLY) want the museum to have the object, now's the time to make the commitment legally. Chris Dill - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - C. L. Dill, Museum Director State Historical Society of North Dakota 612 East Boulevard Bismarck ND 58505-0830 P: (701)328-2666 F: (701)328-3710 E: [log in to unmask] Visit our Web site at: http://www.state.nd.us/hist/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -