You say you are writing a restoration policy now....
I would ask the volunteers for input on the policy, rather than writing it and expecting that to change everything.
Thinking optimistically it might open an opportunity for discussion on why the equipment is being restored.
You say they think of the artifacts as "junk" - yet they donate their time and effort towards the junk.
I think it is really important to find out where these volunteers are coming from - why do they work on the equipment, what do they see as the value of doing so? What are their goals when they use inappropriate materials and methods? If they are farmers, they are only doing what farmers always do - make it work in the cheapest and quickest way possible.
If you can lead them into articulating the value of the "junk" then you stand a better chance of any good apples understanding the need for specific restoration guidelines.
You might consider throwing a thank you party and meeting - to thank them for their work, and to get their input and assistance on where you are going with the restorations.
Cindy Boyer
Director of Museums and Education
The Landmark Society of Western New York
133 S. Fitzhugh St.
Rochester NY 14608
(585) 546-7029 ext. 12
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Fax: (585) 546-4788
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-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Julie Blood
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 12:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Problems with volunteers
I work for a museum that has a large collection of agricultural equipment, especially tractors. Many of these tractors come in unrestored and we have a group of retired guys who volunteer their time to restore these tractors. Unfortunately, their idea of restoration and my idea of restoration are not the same thing.
The tractor they are currently working on is a Holt 75 that Museum staff would like to have running for demonstrations. I have been told by other museum staff that a few of the restoration volunteers have referred to the artifacts as "junk," luckily these staff members have informed the volunteers otherwise. Even though I have been working with a "friend of the museum" in acquiring accurate replications of parts for the Holt 75, I am finding that my restoration volunteers are using scrap pieces of materials to make parts for the tractor which are inaccurate. I have provided them with parts lists/pictures and the care and operations manual for this tractor. The "friend of the museum" is also serving as a consultant for this project, but cannot be out at the museum to assist in the actual restoration.
Unfortunately, this is only one example of the many poorly restored projects they have done over the years. One of the last tractors that was restored had a cap from the fly-wheel chiseled off instead of just unscrewing the cover to remove this cap. This was a problem that the previous Collections Manager faced for MANY years and I would really like to break the cycle. How to you get through to these guys that our artifacts are not "junk"? I am in the process of writing a restoration policy for the museum, but just because I write one doesn't mean that they are going to follow it. Since this project began, I have had to be in the restoration shop supervising their work (a total of 6 hours/week) instead of being able to do other necessary job duties. I would like to be able to trust them enough where I can go out to the shop for about a few hours, take photos, get updates and make decisions and answer questions they have. I do have a few volunteers who understand and love being able to accurately restore the equipment and I don't have to worry about them, but they aren't rubbing off on the others.
Since these are all volunteers, how do you handle this situation diplomatically? I would really like to get rid of the bad apples, but know that may not be possible. We have a guy who is kind of their leader, but he isn't doing the best of job in directing the volunteers... he is older and has health issues, so I am also playing a waiting game on that too... hoping it will improve once he isn't involved anymore. What is the nicest, but firmest way to let them know that they need to change their thinking and do things correctly? Any suggestions you provide would be very helpful, as it would really help my stress level. Also if you have a restoration policy you would like to share, I would appreciate that too!
Thanks,
Julie
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