Blog and Newsletter

The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland is preparing a Fall exhibition that calls for using tall vitrines over pedestals to display some costumes, approx. 84 inches high x 36 x 36.   If anyone in the museum/library/archives community has such a display case that they may be able to loan out for this temporary show, please contact info@mainemuseums.org.

Major Gifts Professional-External Affairs/Development

Category: Professional Department: External Affairs/Development Locations: Unity, ME Posted: Jun 28, '13 Type: Full-time E-mail to a friend About Unity College: Unity College, a private college in rural Maine, provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education emphasizing the environment, natural resources, and the emerging framework of sustainability science. A common interest in developing sustainable solutions to environmental problems unites our students, staff, and faculty. Recently named to the top 30 of the Washington Monthly college rankings and Princeton Review’s Green Rating Honor Roll, Unity is rapidly becoming recognized as a national leader in sustainability science. Job Description: Unity College is seeking a goal oriented full-time Major Gifts Professional who will identify, engage, cultivate, and steward current and prospective donors.  Those interested should be mission driven, with fundraising skills needed in a development professional.  As a team member, you will contribute to Unity’s market niche leadership position. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred.  Experience working with prospective donors and fundraising required. A valid driver’s license with a clean driving record is also required. Additional Information: HOURS:  Full-time, extensive travel, occasional evenings and weekends expected. PAY/BENEFITS:   Title and salary commensurate with experience.     Full benefits package. An Equal Opportunity Employer, minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. Unity College seeks to attract employees who share a commitment to the environment and to human diversity, and who have an interest in helping students develop an understanding of the richness and complexity of individuals and society. Application Instructions: Application review will begin immediately until the position is filled. Applicants interested in applying MUST submit a cover letter and resume online. After uploading your resume, the subsequent pages enable you to upload additional documents (i.e. cover letter and three professional references, if required). If you already have a Unity College Employment Account that you set up previously online, Login to add documents or update your account.

Development and Communications Assistant

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Maine Humanities Council (MHC) is a Portland-based nonprofit organization that serves the state of Maine. Our mission is to enrich the lives of people in Maine through literature, history, philosophy, and culture with programs, events, grants, and online resources that encourage critical thinking and conversation across social, economic, and cultural boundaries. Our work connects people through the power and pleasure of ideas, reaching audiences of all economic backgrounds in ways that make a significant difference in their lives.

The MHC is seeking a full-time Development and Communications Assistant to provide support for the fundraising and communications efforts of the organization. In that capacity, this individual will assist with fundraising and communications initiatives, with the following responsibilities:

• Manage gift entry and acknowledgement process, paying close attention to detail;
• Collaborate on solicitation process;
• Work closely with Director of Development for special approaches and solicitation opportunities linked with programming;
• Manage administrative fundraising operations, including the monthly giving program, multi-year giving club, expand-the-base process, and monthly acknowledgement phone call process;
• Assist with special fundraising events as needed;
• Manage social media schedules and implementations, such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as online calendar and website updates;
• Manage Humanities on Demand podcast program;
• Draft and send press releases in partnership with staff;
• Create postcards for MHC events as needed; and
• Contribute to other development/communications initiatives as needed

The ideal candidate will have:

• Excellent organizational, communications, and interpersonal skills
• The ability to meet deadlines and maintain organized records with high level of accuracy in a fast-paced environment
• Superior attention to detail
• Sensitivity to confidential information
• A high proficiency in Microsoft (Word, Excel, Outlook) and database software
• A strong facility with technology
• Demonstrated involvement with social media and online communication tools
• Basic graphic design skills (Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator)
• A Bachelor’s degree and a strong interest in the humanities

The salary for this position is $25,000 with a benefit package.

To apply, please send a résumé, cover letter, and three references to trudy@mainehumanities.org.

Public humanities scholars

In addition, the Council is always interested in expanding its roster of public humanities scholars who are available on a project-by-project contractual basis to advise council projects or lead group discussions of books in locations around Maine. If you are an experienced humanities teacher or scholar who is interested in working with the public and you would like more information, please e-mail your resume and contact information to info@mainehumanities.org and we will be in touch with you.

IMLS is a partner in an international exchange program called Film Forward, which brings independent films to communities throughout the United States and the world in an effort to enhance the appreciation and understanding of diverse cultures. Film screenings are followed by audience dialogue and IMLS is particularly interested in identifying museums and libraries as venues for these programmatic opportunities.

Any museum or library or other organization is welcome to submit an RFP, though the project is targeting the following states for the 2014 tour: Arkansas, California, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. I will also be contacting state librarians and state museum associations in those particular states.

We are seeking potential Program Collaborators around the US to collaborate with the Sundance Institute to host a FILM FORWARD program in 2014.

FILM FORWARD is an international cultural exchange program designed to enhance cross-cultural understanding, collaboration and dialogue around the globe by engaging audiences through the exhibition of film and conversation with filmmakers. FILM FORWARD is an Initiative of Sundance Institute and The President’s

Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

FILM FORWARD launched in 2010. Prior to that time, the AFI in association with the federal governmental agencies ran the program as AFI 20/20. In the last three years FILM FORWARD has visited 21 locations around the world from China, Morocco, India, and Turkey to Tennessee, California, Arizona and Puerto Rico. 26 independent films including WINTER’S BONE, AMREEKA, BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD and ON THE ICE and documentaries including CHASING ICE, LAST TRAIN HOME, BUCK and SENNA have screened to diverse communities, students and filmmakers. Over 30 filmmakers associated with these films have participated in engaging local audiences in question and answer sessions, workshops, roundtable discussion and meet and greet opportunities.

FILM FORWARD’s goal is to reach audiences that do not have access to independent film and create cultural conversations to break down barriers and bridge similarities between cultures. Our experiences have reinforced the very reason that we believe in this program: We saw this in Nashville, Tennessee as homeless youth told us they felt empowered to tell their stories after seeing LA MISSION and in Imperial Valley, California as audience members said they appreciated seeing aboriginal people being celebrated and not stereotyped. In short, we have seen the power of storytelling to connect with audiences here and abroad, and to light the fires of curiosity about other cultures and new ways of thinking. The experience is enriching for both the local audiences and the filmmakers - who are all learning and benefiting from these cultural interactions.

“We’ve been blessed to host Film Forward three times…Needless is to say that Film Forward made the PRFS a better organization, teaching us how to connect with audiences and spark profound conversations around independent film.”

- Guillermo Vazquez, Co-Founder, Puerto Rico Film Society

For more information on FILM FORWARD, please visit sundance.org/filmforward and read blogs by filmmakers, collaborators and audiences, browse through the photo galleries and watch the film trailers. We hope this program is of interest to you and look forward to your proposal.

Please feel free to address any questions to Meredith Lavitt via email at  meredith_lavitt@sundance.org

 

Job Announcement: Executive Director

Leonard's Mills is the centerpiece of the Maine Forest and Logging Museum, Inc. (MFLM), a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1960, and dedicated to keeping alive the forest industry of long ago for the present-day citizens of the State of Maine. Located on approximately 400 acres on Blackman Stream in Bradley, Leonard's Mills is at the actual site of an early pioneer settlement, identified by the remains of a stone dam and the foundations of several houses.

Today, Leonard's Mills is "alive" once again, as the Museum is represented by an authentic reconstruction of a logging and milling community of the 1790s. The Museum, through our Living History site at Leonard's Mills, teaches people of all ages about the forest and logging history of Maine. Our general purposes are to collect, preserve, and share artifacts, documents, tools, and equipment, and stories relating to the history of the Maine woods - particularly the pioneer and lumbering periods.

Position Overview and Responsibilities

The Executive Director is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission through its operational and financial objectives. The Executive Director must be an organized self-starter, an experienced communicator, an enthusiastic fundraiser and a team player to successfully oversee the day-to-day functions of MFLM. He or she must have the ability to move capably and confidently between a wide range of responsibilities including program coordination & development, financial management, human resources, fundraising, public relations, board and volunteer relations, building management and staff oversight. The Executive Director reports to the MFLM President and Board of Directors.

Responsibilities

Fundraising (Estimated time 40%): The ED will cultivate and solicit individual, corporate, and foundation support as well as seek out grant opportunities as they arise to support MFLM. This effort must include finding new sources of capital in order to further the museum’s mission.

Program Management (Estimated time 30%): Develop short-term and long-term strategic plans for the MFLM that support the Mission and objectives of the organization. Oversee and engage in the planning, organizing, and operation of events – both onsite and offsite as appropriate.

Operate as the lead contact on potential additions to the MFLM Collections to ensure donations fit the mission.

Communications and Public Relations (Estimated time 15%): The ED will serve as the “public face” of the organization at events, with donors, and with the media in order to promote the MFLM and its programs. In addition he or she will oversee and engage in the creation of promotional materials including MFLM newsletters, press releases, and enhancing MFLM’s web presence.

In addition, the Executive Director will directly oversee and manage all MFLM employees, and serve as a conduit to the Board for those employees.

Budget and Finance (Estimated time 15%): The Executive Director will work closely with the Board President, Treasurer, and Budget and Finance Committee to develop organizational and program-specific budgets and ensure the organization operates prudently within those budgets. The ED will also coordinate the paying of bills to the various vendors the museum uses.

Qualifications

 

Strong candidates will possess the following qualifications:

• Strong organizational in communication skills Experience in fundraising and grant proposal writing
• Ability to work independently
• Strong operational and financial management skills
• Passion for preserving and showcasing Maine’s forest and logging history Experience communicating with and organizing volunteers
• Strong computer skills, including but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Excel. The successful candidate will also be familiar with electronic communications, social media and be willing to expand their skillset into database programs.
• Have experience managing education programs and the accompanying physical site. 

Compensation

Pay is commensurate with experience. This is a part-time year-round position at 30 hours per week.

Location

MFLM’s office is the US Forest Service Building on the Government Road in Bradley, Maine.

How to Apply

MFLM’s employment committee will be conducting the candidate search. Please e-mail your resume and cover letter to Scott Robinson, Employment Committee Chair, at

sdrobinson@prentissandcarlisle.com . The position’s expected start date is mid-August, 2013

The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Industrial Heritage Trust is seeking an Executive Director to be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Museum’s operations, focusing on executive management and development. The Director oversees a staff of 2 full-time and 3 part-time employees, and 80 volunteers.  Annual operating budget is $500,000+.

Qualifications:  The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of the Museum and, as such, is responsible for the general and fiscal leadership and management of the entire organization, including fundraising, budgets, programs, partnerships, and external relations. Above all, the Executive Director is charged with delivering on the mission and goals of the organization in a fiscally sound manner. This person plays a leading role, working closely with the Board and staff, in developing and articulating the strategic direction of the Museum and in implementing the resulting strategies and initiatives.  This position requires an outstanding leader with exceptional communication skills, excellent fundraising skills, a strong public presence, and enthusiasm for making the case for the Museum to a variety of donors and partners. This individual must have the ability to work with the Board to create and carry out a unified vision for what the Museum can and should do. The ability to articulate a vision must be combined with the drive to achieve results and maintain museum ethics.

Requirements:  Relevant experience, proven leadership and fund-raising ability.  A college degree is a plus, particularly in relevant disciplines.

Salary:  Compensation commensurate with experience.  Negotiable.

TO APPLY :  Send resume, cover letter, and professional references in confidence to director@mainenarrowgauge.org.  Executive Director Search, Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Industrial Heritage Trust, 58 Fore Street, Portland ME 04101.

Deadline for applications is August 17, 2013. EOE

Part-time administrative support is sought for fund-raising including membership, annual fund, programs and events. 18 hours per week, flexible schedule over 3-4 days.  Knowledge of DonorPerfect fund-raising software and Microsoft Office is desired. No phone calls please.  See www.yarmouthmehistory.org, click the About Us tab for complete job description and application instructions.   

Updated application forms for the Maine Historical Records Collections Grant Program are now available at http://www.state.me.us/sos/arc/mhrab/grants.html.

With this grant program, the Maine Historical Records Advisory Board supports the efforts of Maine's nonprofit organizations as they preserve their original historical records. The most likely projects involve organizing and rehousing collections in archival folders and boxes; hiring a consultant to make recommendations for the organization and care of the collections; or microfilming archival records, with a CD produced for access. Next "Basic Project" deadline is August 1; "Major Project" deadline is October 1.

MuseumPests 2014: Integrated Pest Management for museums, libraries, archives and historic sites

Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia USA

March 27-28, 2014

MuseumPests.net goes live at Colonial Williamsburg!  After 10 years of creating online IPM resources for the museum, library/archive and historic site community we are partnering with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to hold a two-day conference and workshop program.  Papers will be presented in the mornings and hands-on workshops in the afternoons.  Come meet and connect faces to the colleagues whose digital signatures you’ve seen on the PestList. 

We are seeking papers and posters on Integrated Pest Management themes:

• Preventive strategies and case studies
• Control strategies and treatments
• Innovative solutions and re-evaluation of existing treatments
• Pesticide residues and health & safety
• Training and awareness 

Submit abstracts (400 words maximum) to Ryan Jones at rjones@cwf.org by August 12th, 2013.  Papers, posters or annotated PowerPoint presentations are due March 10, 2014 and will be posted as conference postprints on the MuseumPests.net website immediately following the conference.