The Day’s Activities:
10:00 a.m.
Welcome and Keynote: Fateful Intersections
Maureen K. Robinson, Bethesda, MD
Ms. Robinson will review current trends in museum leadership and explore the part trustees play in making museums places where talented leaders want to spend their best efforts.
The author of Nonprofit Boards that Work: The End of One-Size-Fits-All Governance (John Wiley & Sons, 2001), founder of the education program of BoardSource and the first director of legislative affairs at the American Association of Museums, Ms. Robinson is a consultant on nonprofit leadership, governance, and management.
11:45 a.m. The Board/ CEO Relationship
Chair: Susan Strickler, Director, Currier Museum of Art
Lawrence J. Yerdon, President, Strawbery Banke, NH, and board members of the Currier Museum of Art and Strawbery Banke
Join us to discuss the crucial characteristics of an effective partnership between the board and the chief executive. We’ll explore issues of communication: what is expected, with whom, on what issues, and how often. We’ll also consider the best measures for evaluating the success of this partnership.
12:30 p.m. Luncheon Discussions
Enjoy a delicious lunch with colleagues, then over coffee and dessert participate in a facilitated discussion of one of these topics. Seating in each of the dining rooms is limited, so register early to gain your preference!
Board Training and Professional Development
Phelan Reed Fretz, Executive Director, ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, VT
Discover the “returns on investment” that ongoing training provides. Join us to learn successful models of board training and to discuss ways of supporting the CEO’s professional development.
Navigating Overlapping Responsibilities
Scott Stevens, Executive Director, Museums of Old York, ME
In the transition from a “founding board” to a “governing board,” trustees’ concern with day-to-day operations often continues. In other instances, trustee functions overlap and/or intersect with those of paid staff. Explore strategies for clarifying responsibilities, fostering mutual respect, and maximizing the contributions of staff members and board volunteers.
Succession Planning
Kent dur Russell, CEO and Curator, Museum of Russian Icons, MA
The best board chair you’ve ever known has reached her term limit. The executive director’s talents are soon to be lost to another museum. Have you cultivated leaders who might succeed them? Join us to discuss the broad principles of planning for future leadership changes.
2:00 p.m. Board Case Study
Participate in the analysis of a case study that will be sent to you prior to the meeting.
3:00 p.m. Is the Current Model Viable?
Susan Roetzer, Esq., Executive Director, Fitchburg Historical Society, MA, and board member, Fitchburg Art Museum, MA
Boards today are held accountable for increasingly complex decisions involving museum finances, collections and other issues. Additional skills and experience are necessary to support the board’s interconnectedness with the community. Is it reasonable to expect that we will continue to find trustees who are prepared and willing to take on this role? Perhaps the retirement of Baby Boomers offers an opportunity to increase the pool of prospective board members. If not, what are museums’ options? Join us for an engaging wrap-up of the day’s discussions.
Come Visit the New Currier!
Come and view this magnificent new museum, located just an hour’s drive from Boston!
On March 30, the Currier Museum of Art reopened following a 21-month expansion that added 33,000 square feet of gallery, classroom, event and office space designed by Ann Beha Architects. The new museum is furnished entirely with works from the museum’s collections, and a re-branding initiative reflects the Currier’s commitment to offering enriching, personal encounters with the finest art works and art-making experiences to all audiences.
Registration Fee:
| NEMA Member | Non-Member | |
| 1st Registrant: | $55 | $70 |
| Additional senior staff and trustees: | $45 | $60 |