Employment Opportunity with the Milton Historical Society

Job Posting—Executive Director

Milton Historical Society

2011

The Executive Director is the executive officer of the Milton Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) organization and reports to the Board of Trustees. The Milton Historical Society is the hub of a historic community of 2000 residents at the head of the Broadkill River in Milton, Delaware. The Executive Director is responsible for a wide range of administrative and programming activities to advance the society’s mission and will lead the effort to complete an ambitious strategic plan. During the next 5-10 years, the Milton Historical Society plans to expand its physical space creating a vital, attractive town center while preserving its high standard of dynamic programming, preservation, governance, and financial strength.

Responsibilities:
1. Provide leadership in developing programs, projects and financial plans.
2. Supervise and train staff and volunteers and promotes active participation by MHS members and volunteers to support the organization.
3. Develop and maintain sound financial practices and works with the Finance Committee to prepare a budget and develop fundraising strategies to ensure adequate operating funds.
4. Identify, prepare and submit grant applications to fund programs and needs.
5. Maintain official records and documents and ensure compliance with all pertinent regulations.
6. Direct all educational programs and research activities.
7. Document, collection and manage archival and society holdings and provides for safe storage and a safe environment of all items.
8. Develop exhibits on and off site including collateral programs and activities that will enhance community participation.
9. Maintain the Lydia B, Cannon Museum building and grounds, plan for its expansion, and coordinate the expansion.
10. Inform the Board of Trustees of all conditions impacting the Society, prepare quarterly Board meeting agendas and minutes, and implement authorized plans and policies.
11. Publicize MHS activities and accomplishments through the website, newsletters, press releases, online media and publications.
12. Network with local, state, and regional historical and preservation groups to foster cooperative relationships.
13. Interact in a positive manner with the community to foster trust, commitment and support for the MHS.

Qualifications:
1. An interest and passion for learning, preserving, and sharing the history of Milton and the Broadkill Hundred.
2. Minimum three years in non-profit management or museum work.
3. Strong interpersonal skills.
4. Effective communication skills both verbal and written including public speaking.
5. Demonstrate initiative, creativity and dedication.
6. Knowledge of conservation and preservation techniques.
7. Computer experience required with knowledge of Past Perfect software preferred to manage the collection and analyze and share records and inventories. Able to produce publications and utilize and implement web resources.
8. Available to supervise some evening and weekend programs and events

This position can range from 30 – 40 hours per week dependent on the interest and skills of the candidate. Interested candidates should email a cover letter, resume, salary requirements and list of three references to info@historicmilton.org by November 30, 201

SMA at NTHP Conference!

Thanks to everyone who attended SMA's lunch yesterday at the National Preservation Conference of the National Trust for Historic Preservation! We had about a dozen participants from all across the country join us for lunch and a tour of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. 
Here's a photo:

Join MAHM on a MAP-Quest!

From long-time SMA member Pam Williams and MAHM -- 

Join MAHM on a “MAP-Quest”…Find the right road to professional development!

 

We are pleased to announce an exciting new partnership between the Maryland Association of History Museums and the American Association of Museums’ Museum Assessment Program. MAHM and AAM are partnering to offer an opportunity for Maryland museums who want to participate in MAP to be part of a state working group.  This opportunity is special for MAHM members.

This state working group will give you three times the support to work through the Museum Assessment Program. You will have the support of AAM, MAHM and each other as you work through the MAP self-study, prepare for the peer review site visit and begin implementing report recommendations. The MAP Maryland Working Group will have several opportunities to meet in person as well as a special online community available for virtual meetings and discussions. The MAP-Quest Working group will give you an opportunity to share ideas, find solutions to problems, and direct your MAP journey onto a superhighway.

Participation in MAP is free to $750, depending on your operating budget. To participate in the MAP Maryland working group, you will need to apply to MAP for the December 1 deadline and let MAHM know that you’re interested in joining the working group at:  mahm1634@gmail.com.   Space is limited in the MAP Maryland Working Group. You can contact Jill Connors-Joyner at jconnors-joyner@aam-us.org with any questions about MAP.

We hope you’ll join us on this “road trip” – it will be a MAP to success!

Best,

Pam Williams

--
Maryland Association of History Museums
Belair Mansion - C/O Pam Williams
12207 Tulip Grove Drive
Bowie MD 20715
(P) 301-809-3089
(F) 301-809-2308
http://www.mahm.org/

Tomorrow: SMA Lunch at NPC in Buffalo!

Will you be there?
Join the Small Museum Association at the 2011 National Preservation Conference in Buffalo, NY on Thursday, October 20th from 12 - 1pm for an afternoon of discussion, lunch and a tour of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site with colleagues from historic house museums and other small museums from across the country. Fee is $15 per person; call 302-841-0032 to make a reservation and payment.

Article Highlighting Small Museums!

Check out this fun article from MA enticing people to visit their area's local museums! Have you ever worked with other small museums in your area to get combined press coverage? What have been your experiences?

Help is on the Way! Guidance Program for Small and Mid-Sized Museums

"Our decision to participate in MAP has been among our best decisions. I believe the MAP process has given us both clarity around our issues and the depth of knowledge needed to successfully develop a plan that will allow for the museum's long term viability and sustainability." - Jamie Berry, Executive Director, Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City, Missouri

Do you want the answers to help your museum move forward? Would you like a roadmap for future success?

Consider participating in the Museum Assessment Program (MAP), which assists all types of small and mid-size museums (e.g., aquariums, art, history, natural history, public gardens, science centers and zoos). While engaging in guided self study, your museum will be matched with an expert peer reviewer who will provide a customized site visit and report. In less than a year, MAP will help you develop strategies for improved operations, planning, staff and board education and fundraising.

Since 1981, over 4,300 organizations have participated in MAP as a low-cost method of becoming more sustainable. Become the next museum to take advantage of MAP. The next application deadline is December 1, 2011.

Visit www.aam-us.org/map to download the application and for more information about MAP. You can also email map@aam-us.org or call 202-289-9118. MAP is administered by the American Association of Museums and supported through a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Small Museum Challenges

SMA received a request looking to see if other small museums are facing similar challenges. While they're a college art gallery, many of these issues may resonate with a larger swath of museums. Does it sound familiar to you? Have you faced -and perhaps overcome- some of the concerns listed below? Share your thoughts in the comments and/or on the SMA Facebook page.

"Our gallery does not have space for artist demonstrations or workshops, as well as no clean-up facilities other than a bathroom that is shared with the rest of the student center in which we are located.   This community is largely blue-collar and agricultural, and money and resources are lacking.   While we are part of a university, the university has its roots as a vocational and technical college, and it is still difficult to demonstrate that fine arts (and even liberal arts) are valuable.   The university offers a graphic design program (housed in the business college), and an art history minor. There is no fine arts major or minor offered!

I am curious if other museums have faced similar challenges.   Does the above description of my community resonate with anyone?   If so, what educational/outreach programs have been successful for you?   What has brought people to your gallery or museum?"