There is another problem lurking here that I fear is a problem with many
museums,  large or small.  If the board thinks this is okay, and wants to go
ahead with it, the only thing that may stop them is the threat of the IRS or
legal action.  There are some boards, as we all know, that don't care about
ethics or collections policies or any of this "museum crap" and simply have
their own agendas, whether they be social aggrandizement or some other
rubbish.
There's only so much re-education you can can do with these people.
Furthermore, you may have a director who's kissing up to these people for
his/her own career.  When you have a board like this (and a director fanning
the flames), the only things you can do are bail or put up with it, no
matter how dedicated you are.  Perhaps things will change in the future and
you can come back, if you're a volunteer.  I would expect that if they'd do
something like this (allowing employees to take collections in lieu of pay)
that they'd do just about anything.

Conversely, there are wonderful boards that want to learn and care deeply
about the welfare of the institution.  I am happy to say that I currently
work for one of them.  I've worked for the others, too...and not only is it
an ethical nightmare, it is often an emotional roller coaster.

Macht's gut!

Candace Perry
Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center


----- Original Message -----
From: Harold Needham <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2000 4:44 AM
Subject: Re: Another ethics question


>

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