We have seen the future – and it is EDUCATION!
By Ione Saroyan, Director of Merchandise Operations at the New-York Historical Society Museum & Library in New York City
As Chair of the MSA Education Advisory Group (EAG), I am delighted to update the MSA community on the progress of our educational initiatives.
In 2019, MSA launched the Education Strategic Plan, a focused set of goals to support the optimization of all educational opportunities for MSA members and prospective members, whether these occur at in-person events or through online offerings. Despite the COVID-19 Pandemic and all of its disruptions, progress continues on implementing the plan – the EAG and MSA Staff have been moving full steam ahead!
EAG OBJECTIVES MET OR LAUNCHED:
- Revised and updated goals for the Education Strategic Plan adopted in 2019. The new focused goals cover 2021-2024.
- Launched Virtual Talking Shop – a roundtable discussion group that meets via Zoom and discusses industry “hot topics” identified by the EAG. Each Zoom meeting covers issues relevant to nonprofit retail and includes discussion points and case studies.
- Announced the forthcoming MSA Resource Library: a curated content library of the most often requested policies, agreements, descriptions, models, templates, forms, and checklists. Launched the project with the Library’s “Call for Materials.”
- Updated the MSA Knowledge Standards to reflect current trends, technology, and industry relevance.
- Examined past MSA educational webinars to determine continued relevancy or obsolescence.
These accomplishments are in addition to the ongoing work of the EAG:
- Identify, source, and recommend creative, appealing, accessible, inclusive, and useful educational programs, resources, webinars, and conference sessions for MSA members
- Vet MSA member speaker proposals for MSA FORWARD
- Review and vote on MSA award nominations that recognize individuals, vendor members, and institutions for excellence in their work.
The EAG also embraces and encourages active participation from all of you, our members, in order to achieve our shared goals. We look forward to your active and enthusiastic participation in MSA’s educational future - strong educational programming that increases member value, engagement, and retention, and drives membership growth. Please continue to reach out to us -- sharing your suggestions, ideas, and expertise to benefit our entire MSA community. Together we will develop high-quality, results-driven, applicable, innovative, and focused programming for MSA professionals.
Interested in these intiatives? Participate by using the links below:
- Submit your MSA FORWARD session proposal here
- Learn more and sign up for Virtual Talking Shop here
- Submit your documents to the MSA Resource Library via email: info@museumstoreassociation.org
A museum store retailer and Museum Store Association member for more than 25 years, Ione Saroyan is director of merchandise operations at the New-York Historical Society Museum & Library in New York City. Ione was the 2018-19 president of the MSA Board of Directors and currently serves as the chair of the Education Advisory Group and is a member of the MSA Finance, Board Development, and Marketing & Communications committees.
EAG COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Jamie Cooper
Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC
Maggie Greenbaum
The National World War II Museum, New Orleans, LA
Tina Harding
Leeds, MA
Michael Higdon
National Building Museum, Washington, DC
Colleen Higginbotham
Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA
Maria Kwong
Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, CA
Alice McAuliffe
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD
Cathy Nagle-Ervin
Tiffin, OH
Aubrey Herr
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD
Jay Thomson
Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA
Blue Anderson
Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria, OR
Katherine Kornblau
KJK Jewelry Inc., New York, NY