Hi, Elizabeth,

Well, I'm not sure that I can answer all your questions. I don't have direct
experience with this, but it sounds like your organization is going through
some of the same things we are (in terms of wanting to represent more people
in the community, and doing some soul-searching).

It sounds like the goal of your community advisory board is to ensure even
representation and relevancy in your programming. I would not think that you
would need to hire outside people for this. For the purposes of a grant, it
seems like having an end result (exhibit, exhibit guide, school program or
something) would be good. But in terms of a community buy-in - why not just
get these people around a table and see what they think of what you are
doing? Where do they see themselves in your work? Where would they like to
see themselves? How would they like to be involved? You mention that your
collections don't really represent the community - maybe an advisory board
could tell you what you need in your collection to be truly representative,
and then help you to locate or leverage these donations?

I'm impressed that you have been able to organize a teacher's advisory
board! We are really struggling to get teachers in our district interested
in our work.

Sounds like a great project - good luck!
Erica

Erica S. Maniez
Museum Director, Issaquah Historical Society
425/392-3500
[log in to unmask]
www.issaquahhistory.org

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of elizabeth No
> Sent: Friday, December 28, 2001 10:35 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Community Advisory Board
>
>
> Hello and Happy Holidays!
>
> I work at a mid-size historical society in Youngstown, Ohio. Recently, we
> have developed a teacher advisory board that appears to be moving forward
> (we have had 2 meetings and have about 17 members.) I am going to be
> applying for a local grant from a foundation that awards money for
> multicultural programming. We have successfully obtained this
> grant for the
> last ten years, though it is usually for the upkeep of a
> collection dealing
> with an immigrant aid association, or for an exhibit. I would like to try
> something unique, namely, a community advisory comprised of members from
> various cultural groups in the area, and I am hoping that my staff, board,
> and director are up for it. The only thing is that we have never done
> anything like this.  But I think the time has come. Our collections do not
> really represent the diverse population of the area and our
> programming does
> not attract a very diverse population. Our visitation has recently been
> lower than usual, though I do feel that over the course of the last ten
> years our staff has done a better job of representing the community in
> exhibition. Recently we opened an exhibit called "Far From Home: Stories
> from Immigrant Children to the Mahoning Valley." I worked with people who
> came as children and borrowed photos and images.  Sorry that I am
> rambling.
> . To my question. . .What do you need to do to be ready to develop a
> community advisory board? How do you begin?  Do you need to hire
> consultants
> or a marketing firm, or can you start with your local civic
> leaders to draw
> in others?  I need advice, as I would like to be able to propose this idea
> and get a grant to support it.  Should the end result be an exhibit?  I am
> not sure of any of this. I hope someone can give me help.  It is also very
> relevant because we are entering into MAP III and we have also
> been through
> an accreditation review. Any help will be appreciated.  Thank you.
>
> Elizabeth J. Nohra
> Assistant Director
> Mahoning Valley Historical Society
> Youngstown, Oh
> 330-743-2589
>

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