How long have you volunteered there?  If it's been more than six months
and you are performing tasks that, taken together, would comprise a
legitimate job description for someone trained in a specific field, they
are definitely using you to avoid hiring someone full-time to do that
job.  I think you should search around for existing job descriptions
that encompass your tasks, set a meeting with them to show what the
value of your contribution has been including the amount that they would
have had to pay for those services, and ask that they make a decision by
X date (perhaps 30 days from the date of your meeting) on whether or not
they will hire you.  It goes without saying that if no decision is
forthcoming, you should be prepared to walk out.

Julia Muney Moore
Public Art Administrator
Blackburn Architects, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 875-5500 x230
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Chris Pike
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 1:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Issue of possible employment.

Need some advice..

I'm currently volunteering for a local museum that has undergone an
change 
in administration and employee's. I sent out a resume and went in for an

semi-formal interview.  He said that he was impressed with my resume and

that they would be hiring in the future but not sure when (they have
too, 
they have almost no permanent staff).  Since then, I've done a lot of 
sorting work in terms of archival records and will be doing data entry
in 
the near future.  I've been told I'm doing a great job and are happy
with 
my work.  Again they hang the possibility of employement over my head.  

A few people have said I should stop volunteering as what I'm doing is 
being done by others for good money.  I'm being patient and continuing 
because working there would be good future option but my question is 
whether or not I should draw the line somewhere?  I'm just really not
sure 
what to do?  

Cheers..   

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