Job Description of a Museum Board
A museum is a nonprofit organization that owns or cares for objects and uses them in exhibits on a regular basis. Each museum has a volunteer Board of Trustees that maintains the fiduciary responsibility for the objects in the museum collection and governs the activities of the museum. Museum Trustees usually have some experience in the museum's focused area, fundraising, financial planning, management or marketing. The Board members generally meet one to four times a year and form sub-committees to oversee specialized areas.
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Fiduciary Responsibility
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Fiduciary responsibility as a board member means that you have a responsibility to hold the museum assets in trust for the public. This means that museum funds and objects in the collection are used for the benefit of the public not for personal gain by anyone.
Appointment of Director
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The Board of Trustees has the responsibility of hiring and possibly firing the Museum Director. The Board is accountable for monitoring the performance of the Museum Director.
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Management
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Museum Education Department Activities Are Reviewed By The Board Museums are driven by a mission statement. The Board monitors that operation, education, collection and exhibition programs stay focused on the mission.
Financial Accountability
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Fundraising, budget planning and ensuring the museum's assets are a big part of the Board's responsibility. Annual finance reviews and audits should be overseen by Board members.
Long Range Planning
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Exhibition planning, collection management, facility maintenance, expansion to the museum, or any other long-term planning need to be approved by the Board.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Shaun Che Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of woodley wonderworks
