Open Forum

Hi, Rachel!  I feel your pain!  For many years before retirement, I was the director/curator of one of only two museums in the country professionally managed on high school campuses.  We had a board of the "Friends" of the museum.  There had been, for many years before my arrival, a board that thought it was a true governing board, but for reasons way too complex and too long to include here (but including malfeasance), it was disbanded by the Head of School (the equivalent of a college President).  For reasons that seem to parellel yours, I, too, tried to establish a faculty advisory group and had the exact same experience... in general, in that population, no one wants to take on more work, but they're happy to have their name listed (creds).

Don't assume that a community advisory board will be much different.  Some will be devoted and want to help with real time, talent and treasure; most, not so much.  Do you have a local cadre of alumni?  Or retired former faculty?  In my opinion and experience, this is the population most likely to truly help and may have (in the case of alumni) some sway with administration.

Finally, it will most likely be difficult to get admin to agree to "allow" an "outside" group to have governance authority.  That's the difference between a museum that is free-standing, independent, and a 501(c)(3) corporation, and one existing within a "parent" organization.  So this is the crux of the dilemma.  "Board" members with no real authority, nor fiduciary responsibility are less likely to take risks to advocate for the museum, and institutional administration is not likely to be open to relinquishing "power."

Good luck with this.  Happy to talk more off line.  Vivian

Hi Rachel

Why not start a Children's Board? I can facilitate the process. Just email me: joseantoniogordillo@gmail.com

Kind regards

Jose

Rachel,

Since you have a supervisor and that supervisor has a supervisor I'd start with a plan you present to them for feedback and approval.  The plan should have a budget. 

You say you'd like to have someone to bounce ideas off of and get occasional assistance from-that sounds like a list of advisors rather than a board.  I'd budget individual lunches with several advisors (curation, presentation, accessibility, impact, financial, etc). One on one meetings have many advantages over larger meetings - including accountability.  Advisors should come from the folks impacted by the Museum: the municipality, the college history dept., the other 'tourist' locations around your museum, etc.  If your museum is a profit center-where does the money go?  They should be an advisor.  If it's a cost center-where does the money come from?  They should be an advisor.  The plan should include how advisors are selected, recognized and how the advisors are 'let go' (very important for accountability).   

Absolutely more work for you. Especially figuring out what your ask is for each of these advisors before you meet.  I'd say after a year of meeting with the advisors ask them to participate in a strategic planning session for the Museum.  Part of the strategic plan includes how to pay for the things in the strategic plan. Break that plan into yearly work-plans (this includes work from the advisors and you and your staff). Get that plan to your supervisor with a budget.  Every year write a 'this is what we've done' 'this has been our impact' marketing document for distribution.

It's easy to write that advice.  

Good luck with the work!!

Cindy Schmidt

Chatham County Historical Association & Museum