Florida Chapter Meeting Minutes

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008 — Saint Augustine, FL

Sandra Sue Dent of Bok Tower Gardens called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. "MSA in FLA" t-shirts from the 2008 MSA Conference in Tampa were given to new faces and Gwen Brenner, MSA board president.

PRESENT

Twenty-five members were in attendance: Terry Aulisio, Diane Bilodeau, Ray Bowers, Gwen Benner, Sallie Chisholm, Krissie Cleary, Sandra Sue Dent, Jim Garrigan, Julie Gatlin, Sue Gauthier, Karen Anne Gilbert, Maggy Gordy, Ava Maxwell, Henry Nauman, Samantha Palmer, Janice Phelan, Audrie Rañon, Sandi Sevigny, Ellie Slade, Lawrence Singer, Dana Thomas, Wayne Tripp, Susan Tudor, Christanna White and Kellie Woodward.

OLD BUSINESS

The chapter project has become a "Great Florida Museums" deck of playing cards per e-mail correspondence. Thanks to all participating institutions.

Grow MSA continues to bring new members to MSA and challenges each member to recruit within their geographical areas by suggesting to non-members that they attend a chapter meeting. Membership is not limited to nonprofit organizations.

NEW BUSINESS

Ava Maxwell, Charles H. Morse Museum of American Art, suggested we make donations in honor of Goldie and ensure that they go toward helping a Florida Chapter member in her memory.

Sandra stressed the importance of maintaining an accurate, up-to-date mail list, not just of institutions, but specifically of store managers. This would ensure that they are being made aware of all chapter happenings. It's important to include attendance at both MSA chapter meetings and the annual MSA Conference in your institution's budget for the educational opportunities they afford.

A location for the next fall chapter meeting should be considered now so that by the time of the 2009 MSA Conference, it will be decided and we can work toward establishing a date and programming. Karen Anne Gilbert, Florida Keys History of Diving Museum, volunteered her facilities.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MSA Board President Gwen Benner, Milwaukee Art Museum, announced these items of importance and interest:

• We have 100 new members this year. Remember to take advantage of the Grow MSA program to earn MSA Dollars. Details can be found on www.MuseumStoreAssociation.org. As part of Grow MSA, non-members have an open invitation to one chapter meeting.
• MSA's Knowledge Standards were rolled out in April at the annual MSA Conference in Tampa as a tool to help cultural commerce professionals. In Phoenix, we'll see how the standards will be presented through publications and educational opportunities.
• The Cultural Traveler guidebook is being created through a partnership between MSA and the Shop America Alliance. It will be launched in January 2009.
• Phoenix Conference dates are set for May 2 – 5, 2009. Three of the most important aspects include educational, networking and shopping opportunities.
• The ShopTalk e-mail discussion forum is a valuable tool to see what others are talking about in our profession and as a way to ask questions of your peers year-round.
• The 2008 MSA Directory & Buyers Guide will be coming soon.