| Where Ideas Live! | Focus on the knowledge, skills and networks that museum professionals need. AAM's 103rd Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo ™ in Philadelphia, Thursday, April 30 - Monday, May 4, 2009.
Register online by the early bird deadline, Friday, January 30, 2009 and save $100.
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| Finding Calm in Crisis: A Museum Survival Guide | | Looking at the economic forecasts for 2009 does not give one much optimism for the year ahead. Navigating this uncertainty is difficult, but we believe you should not have to weather this storm alone. Now more than ever, AAM is committed to providing the resources you need.
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| Coming in January! Online discussion forum on museums rising to the financial challenge. Details to come. Straight Talk: Museums Rising to the Financial Challenge | New: 4-Part Web Conference!
March 18-19, 2009
Financial challenges are confronting all of us, individuals, institutions and the field itself. Budgets are being cut, programs scaled back, staff levels reduced. What is the impact on our work and our lives and how do we respond? Join this timely four-part webinar series of 90-minute programs, each exploring issues crucial to museums in these challenging times: retrenchment, fundraising, managing human resources, and communications strategies.
Benefit from new ideas and strategies, reliable information and resource-sharing. Let’s rise to the challenge together! Fellowships available.
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| AAM Constitution Amendment 2008 |
Over the past year, the Governance Committee of the AAM Board reviewed the constitution and bylaws of the organization for compliance with current practices and to provide a constitutional framework for moving forward on AAM’s Strategic Vision. Notable changes recommended by the governance committee include eliminating membership restrictions on independent professionals and creating flexibility in the size of the board to allow for greater participation by membership.
In addition, AAM’s attorneys have strongly suggested that AAM adopt the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporations Act, which became law in 1962 and replaced the older version under which AAM was incorporated. Important features are its allowance for the use of modern communication techniques (telephone and e-mail) and the use of electronic balloting, which ease communications between the board and members and save considerable costs.
At its November meeting, the AAM Board resolved to recommend to the membership of AAM that they adopt certain changes to the constitution.—Steven High, AAM Board of Directors.
Procedural Note
There is a ballot in the January/February issue of Museum magazine. To vote, return the ballot to the address specified by close of business Feb. 20. If you need a ballot, send a request to: AAM, 1575 Eye Street, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005, Attn: ballot.—Mary Bowie, vice president
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| Deadline Extended to January 10th!
Museums, Make Sure Your Numbers Count! | |
Please participate in the 2008 Museum Financial Information Survey.
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The New Tax Form 990-Part 2: Drilldown
| New webinar!
January 29, 2009
Join in this timely 90-minute webinar focused specifically on the new Tax Form 990 core form and schedules that are now due for tax year 2008. Gain the detailed 990 information you need to tackle expanded reporting requirements and to favorably position your institution with donors and charity watchdog groups.
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| Register for Museums Advocacy Day 2009! | |
Join us for Museums Advocacy Day on February 23-24, 2009 in Washington, DC. Don’t miss this chance to learn about AAM’s legislative agenda, get advocacy training and visit the offices of your members of Congress. Register online here or Download a registration form and fax it to (202) 289-6578.
The headquarters hotel for Museums Advocacy Day is the Washington Marriott, 1221 22nd Street, NW, in Washington, DC. Please call 800-228-9290 or 202-872-1500 and ask for the special American Association of Museums rate ($224 per night). Hotel reservations must be made by January 26, 2009.
Registration is FREE (but required) and space is limited, so register today!
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| Museum Field Submits Policy Brief to Obama Transition Team | |
AAM was recently joined by 25 national organizations, all 6 regional museum associations, and 40 state associations in submitting a policy brief to the new Obama Administration. The paper highlights the importance and broad reach of the museum field, and identifies specific goals for the reauthorization of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). See the full policy brief here. 
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| How Can Museums Raise the U.S. National Happiness Index? |
Find out on Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. EST, when the Center for the Future of Museums webcasts a lecture by Dr. Jane McGonigal, researcher and games designer with the Institute for the Future, on “Gaming the Future of Museums.”
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