Just a quick question Brian,
 
Would you expect to be allowed to join the local College of Physicians
and Surgeons because you are interested in the inner workings of the
brain? Or the Association of Civil Engineers because you're interested in
bridges? The answer to your question lies in your question; these are
_professional_ organizations. Not allowing the public to join
professional organizations is not considered elitism on the part of any
other profession, why should it be so on the part of museums?
 
I'm not trying to be nasty or to "flame" you. I just thought you should
think about what you're asking.
 
Eileen
 
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Eileen Mak         |   "The dead, unfortunately, do not respond
Dept. of History   |    well to questionnaires."
UBC                |                         -S.J.R. Noel
[log in to unmask]  |  (Patrons, Clients and Brokers, 1990, p.3)
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On Wed, 23 Nov 1994, Brian Holton wrote:
 
> Can someone please tell me why most professional museum organizations
> do not offer private memberships for people who simply enjoy the
> inner workings of museums?  It seems that every organization I find
> only allows museum membership - or private membership is incredibly
> expensive.  The only exception I have found is AAM.  Is there a reason
> for the apparent elitism?  Thanks.  Brian Holton, just a viewer...
>