The NEMA Conference. It’s outlasted 16 U.S. presidents, two world wars, moon shots, pet rocks, and the Disco craze. Since 1919, thousands and thousands of museum professionals have gained new insights, inspiration, and friendships at the NEMA Conference. There’s something to be said for tradition like that. November 19-21, 2014 2014 Annual Conference Boston/Cambridge, MA Picture of Health: Museums, Wellness… Read more →
Sept. 24 – From the survey
Tell me about a great moment at work, when you felt happy, proud, or joyful. This could be either an individual moment or a shared one with your team. I work with volunteers and help to train staff to work with volunteers. One great moment recently was during an “All Hands” meeting at work. I gave a presentation on… Read more →
Sept. 22 – From the survey
Tell me about a time when you were really upset about something that happened at work. I worked at a museum at the beginning of my career where a coworker got very intoxicated during our evening fundraising event. Due to her state of mind and inability to function I had to do all of her work for her (even pulling… Read more →
Sept. 20 – From the survey
I recently switched jobs and so feel like I’m still adjusting to my new culture. I did instigate a night after work w/ co-workers for beers, and people have been doing it now every other month. It’s GREAT. Read more →
Sept. 15 – From the survey
“I try to be positive and kind. I often send thank yous to co-workers who have done something above and beyond their expected routine work. I have helped organize employee appreciation potlucks and activities. I have also left jobs where the negativity was so entrenched that I could no longer work there.” Read more →
Sept. 2 – From the survey
If something about your workplace culture was improved, how would this change the way that you work, both in the short and long term? Short term it would help me with some of my own poor work habits as an employee. For example, I will be the first to admit I struggle with time management at times (in fact filling… Read more →
Aug 27 – From the survey
A constant refrain in discussions with my coworkers is “It doesn’t have to be like this.” I work in fundraising, so our department’s success is fairly quantifiable. And yet despite surpassing funding goals, on a leaner shop than in years past, morale is poor. Internal communication from our manager is limited, and staff feel like we’re not given the information… Read more →
Aug 26 – From the survey
If you have a concern at work, who do you feel comfortable talking about it with? Why? I have a great working relationship with a good many colleagues and many Board members. There is a group of us who share the same concerns regarding culture, and the lack of equal expectations and favoritism for a few folks/departments. Many Board members… Read more →
Aug 15– From the survey
Anytime you have groups of people working together you risk having people who fight and argue. It is the nature of being human. However, there are ways of conducting business respectfully and transparently that most staff would recognize as a fair solution. Museums who maintain respectful transparent environments have the largest percentage of happy staff. There is always going to… Read more →
Aug 14- From the survey
If something about your workplace culture was improved, how would this change the way that you work, both in the short and long term? If general workload distributions improved, and employees were equally engaged, and management seemed to be checked-in about the issues, I think our motivation and energy as a group would shoot up. It would feel like our… Read more →