[NHCOLL-L:2406] Re: Collection Volunteer Rules.

[Shirley S Albright]

One way to put a positive spin on collection guidelines is to provide a 
list of most asked questions [and their answers].   It appears the 
answers then are in response to a compilation of questions asked by a 
consortium of people, not just you - the collection manager.    It also 
gives you a chance to review other issues like the use of 
telephone/photocopier/fax/secretarial resources, how to contact the 
office in case of an family emergency or an unanticipated absence, and 
how volunteer performance will be reviewed.

Volunteers can become remarkably possessive about their workspaces and 
their "right" to work for you.   I had enjoyed the remarkable volunteer 
efforts of several retirees who had been with me for more than 15 years, 
when we embarked on a major renovation project during which the staff 
were relocated to another building.   There was barely enough room for 
staff, and the State's treasury did not want to rent enough space so 
that volunteers could be utilized for lengthy periods of time....so I 
had to release them during the renovations.     Oh, such wailing and 
nashing of teeth.   Their responses ran the gamet from "Ok, just let me 
know when I can help again" to "But I have a desk here.  My wife depends 
on me being out of the house 2 days a week!"

Oh....one thing more!   Before your volunteers begin service, make sure 
they [and you] understand and agree to the insurance ramifications of 
working as a volunteer.   For example, if they are injured during the 
course of their duties, are they covered for medical services?    Our 
state government will not cover injuries to volunteers, and we've had a 
few - from a fairly serious finger cut on a metal drawer edge to field 
injuries during collecting expeditions.   If everyone knows what the 
score is up front, it makes getting medical help speedier with fewer 
'embarassed pauses".

Good luck!

Shirley Albright
Assistant Curator of Natural History Collections
New Jersey State Museum



Mark McNamara wrote:

>Hello all,
>
>I am reviewing our rules for volunteers working in natural history
>collections and I want to make sure that I don't leave anything out.  
>
>Lists of rules can be offensive so I would also like to see how some of
>you have phrased your collections guidelines.
>
>If anyone has a list of rules or guidelines for collection use by
>visitors/volunteers that they do not mind sharing via e-mail I would
>greatly appreciate it. 
>
>Any other guidance or anecdotes on this topic will be appreciated as
>well. Thank you.
>
>
>Where would we be without rhetorical questions? 
>
>Your Friend,
>
>Mark McNamara
>Natural History Collection Manager
>Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
>1900 N. Chaparral Street
>Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
>Email: MarkM at CCTexas.com
>Web Page: www.CCMuseum.com
>
>  
>