[Nhcoll-l] More on the gauntlet

[Ellen Paul]

Orkin Insect Zoo. No joke. There is an Orkin Insect Zoo at the NMNH.

I think that every organization that relies on donations is aware of the 
risk involved in accepting corporate funds. Museums are not the only 
organizations dealing with this dilemma. Many nonprofits have had to 
deal with the issue of accepting donations from individuals or 
corporations who have been accused of or are actually guilty of various 
sins such as racism, sexism, homophobic policies, illegal or unethical 
conduct. This particular case is more challenging than most because it 
is alleged that the funding source is subverting the science or at least 
forcing the recipient to remain silent. In other words, there is implied 
by the open letter and its authors an actual impact of the funding on 
museum research and education. Too bad the writer of the article didn't 
insist on evidence.

In any case, I doubt it is the case that AMNH fundraisers don't know 
about controversies associated with the Kochs and in particular this 
controversy, and didn't discuss the potential downsides. They are a 
pretty sophisticated operation.

Ellen

Ellen Paul
Executive Director
The Ornithological Council
Email: ellen.paul at verizon.net
"Providing Scientific Information about Birds"
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nmnh.si.edu_BIRDNET&d=AwIC-g&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=c8k-EbRPyulFY10bpEiFHmgEW6klXQbfsnPL8I9dz9U&s=BKp1LsVhOafx1pt4FvD0ptyLHpsb0P9OlZMxU4aeqkI&e= "

On 3/24/15 12:34 PM, Bryant, James wrote:
> Thank you, Beth, for your reasoned and thorough response. Critics focusing on these issues should keep in mind what is being "sold" as well as what is being "bought". Indeed, it brings to mind how  - in a previous presidential administration -  selling naming rights was considered as a potential way to raise support for the National Parks.
>
> As a large number of museums in many disciplines have engaged in a heated competition for the private dollar, they have adopted (and rewarded) some of the fund raising methods employed by development and sports promoters, and it seems as if there was no attention given to the risk involved. As the Great Recession should have taught everyone, there is no such thing as making money without risk.
>
> James M. Bryant
> Curator of Natural History
> Museum Depart., City of Riverside
> 3580 Mission Inn Avenue
> Riverside, CA 92501
> TEL: 951-826-5273
> FAX: 951-369-4970
> jbryant at riversideca.gov
>
>