To all the Museum Docents: Sorry I was not there at the Docent Meeting on August 7th. I had surgery the previous Tuesday, and have to be down on my back for a week+. I hope to be up Monday (tomorrow).

MUSEUM-WIDE ORIENTATION COMING: Over the last few months, it has been my pleasure to be able to spend more time at Cedar Street lately, and in response to conversations with many of you, I have planned a General Orientation series about the MAC that will start early next year. This Orientation is for new board members, staff, and all the volunteers. I especially value your participation, as you are the front-line people who are bombarded with all the questions.

POLICY UPDATE: After the remodel and reallocation of space at the docent counter, it was soon necessary to make new policies on flyers and announcements. For several months there have been restrictions on what can be promoted at this time due to space constraints. Please remember we can (at this time) only promote our own events. It would be very nice to have participation from the city for a community billboard in the future, but for now the Visitor's Center is the central spot for announcements. In addition, after September 1st, 2009, my initials must be in the corner for all flyers, and this includes all posters, etc. This is to keep it easy, as in the past people drop off flyers that have not gone through the approval process. What happens during the approval process? Well, the event has to be MAC's, the print material must be proof read, and it must contain the proper logos, etc. Gosh, we are getting like the Library! In the future, there will be more space for stuff, but not now, sorry.

WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS: We are pleased to add three new volunteers this quarter through the efforts of your Exhibit Chairperson, Linda Stadtmiller. Steph, Lyn, and Connie have joined the Exhibit Committee and have already been working on projects. There are now openings in collection care and the research department. If you have friends that would like to volunteer please have them call me directly at 681-2257. If you have friends that would like to work at Second Chance, please have them call Carole directly at 683-9201.

NOTE:  My husband, Mike, is back from the pirate-infested waters and so he will be helping me occasionally. I promise to get him a nametag, so he will not be referred to as "that guy that is always following you around". I think it has come as a shock to many people that I am married, with a 14-year-old son, although more people know about Mike after his work during the remodel.

We have a new Volunteer Brochure on the website for people to download. We are "road testing" this version before we print up 1,000 copies.

STAFF UPDATES:  Alicia Gilstrom, who has worked for MAC as a State Work Study student for 3 years, is returning to work on the Cowan glassware collection in August. Mickey Yeager is leaving early to go to Scotland! Kira Hendricksen is here through September. Tristan Marti, whom some of you met already, has been part of the Work Source Summer Jobs Program, and he finishes up next Friday.

PROGRAMMING UPDATE: Kira and Mickey have a Burke Museum Box, with hands-on historical items for children, so it will be at the Museum Field Day on the 15th, as well as at the Puppet Show on Saturday this week. If you know of a group of children like a pre-school, that would like to see it, call Mickey or Kira at 681-2257.

HOLIDAYS AND DECORATIONS: The Museum was closed for several months at the beginning of last year, but this year we will be open right after the holidays. We will not be having a Christmas tree, etc. The Christmas lights will be outdoors. Live plants are not advisable from collection care standpoints, and for those suffering from allergies. Thank you in advance but please leave the plants at home. Please get approval from the Exhibit Committee before buying or bringing in any holiday decorations. Thank you.

MUSIC IN THE EXHIBIT BUILDING: Music is one of the things I have been trying to get time to talk to you about since March. The CD player is there for us to use. I hate to use the word mandatory so it is 'womandatory' to have it on, as the music adds a lot to the exhibit. As I have said before, if you have favorites, I will purchase them with my own money so you do not have to leave your CD's. Just let me know. The music is to be on softly during the hours the museum is open. If this is something you are uncomfortable with, please call me and I will discuss this on a one-on-one basis with you.

WHY? Many studies indicate that music adds to the visitor's experience, just please pick music that is middle of the range, and pleasant. I do wish I could bring some of my Alice in Chains, Cage the Elephant, Wiser, and Billy Boy on Poison CD's down, but must abide by the advice of museum professionals, and not be inappropriate.

EXHIBIT UPDATE/ WEB UPDATE: We are adding more exhibits all the time. Where? New artifacts are in the module drawers, and images are on the web. So please look to see what Renee Mizar, the MAC Registrar, has done lately with virtual exhibits.

IN CLOSING: Please feel free to email me with more of your great ideas! There are a lot of compliments coming in about all the great work you are doing so KUDOS!

Katherine, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it