I am developing a brochure that explains to >prospective donors what our museum collects, why we collect, and what will >happen to their donation once they sign the form. This is probably the best you can do at this point, and as for signing it, why not have a clause on your deed of gift form that says that the donor understands that they are giving the object on an unrestricted basis ("permanently exhibited" being a restriction!). What I have found works well is to explain that if they want their object to last, exhibiting it all the time is not the way to preserve it. This is not a current problem (we don't have a collection), but in other museums I have worked for we have made a big deal of conservation issues, and they are just technical enough to inspire respect if not total understanding. Julia Moore Indianapolis Art Center (I'm chatty tonight because I'm on vacation!!!)