A great turnout at the June SEMC Member Mix & Mingle at Woods Chapel BBQ in Atlanta, Georgia! Stay tuned for next date and location. | |
Keep an eye on this section of E-News to learn more about what the SEMC Council is working toward on behalf of all SEMC members. Questions about the work of the SEMC Council? Please reach out to Zinnia Willits to put you in contact with individual Council members. | |
Members of the SEMC Council at SEMC2023 in Louisville, Kentucky | |
SEMC Council members act as trustees of the organization’s assets. As stewards of public trust, each Council member must act for the organization's good and exercise due diligence and oversight to ensure that the organization is well-managed and its financial situation remains sound.
An SEMC Council member's fiduciary duty requires each "to stay objective, responsible, honest, trustworthy, and efficient. They are expected to exercise reasonable care in all decision-making and avoid placing the organization under unnecessary risk. It also means board members ensure the programs align with the mission and that the impact of said programs is measured and reasonable." (Board Source)
SEMC bylaws require the Council to (annually) establish an operations budget for the next fiscal year. SEMC staff begin work on the budget each winter and aim to have a first draft for the Council at the mid-year meeting in March. Council members provide initial feedback on revenue/expense predictions and goals and contribute greatly to planning and honing financial strategy. The Council discusses an updated draft again at the May Council Meet-Up and meets one last time in June for a dedicated budget review and discussion. The final step is a full Council vote to approve the budget (before June 30) which will pass with a quorum. For the current 16-person Council, a quorum is 9 votes in the affirmative.
If you are interested in being considered for Council service or would like to nominate a colleague, please email Zinnia Willits at zwillits@semcdirect.net for more information on the nomination process.
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Summer 2024 INSIDE SEMC - Accepting Submissions | | |
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The summer edition of Inside SEMC will be published in August. Consider submitting an article about a project, program, or exhibit you want to show off across the region!
This is a great way to add a "publication" to to your resume!
Articles and organizational updates are due by July 31, 2024
Questions? Contact Zinnia Willits zwillits@semcdirect.net
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2025 Jekyll Island Management Institute
Application Opens August 1, 2024
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Applications for the 2025 Jekyll Island Management Institute will open on August 1, 2024! The Jekyll Island Management Institute (JIMI) is an immersive experience for museum professionals who seek to broaden their understanding of museum operations to advance to management or leadership roles in the museum field.
During the 8-day Institute, participants will learn current best practices of visitor-facing and behind-the-scenes work in museums, focusing on incorporating diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion, and the use of technology into all subjects. JIMI attendees will hear from current experts across the museum field and work collaboratively with peers to discuss challenges and solutions to real-world museum issues. SEMC offers this program every other year.
Consider joining the JIMI 2025 Cohort!
Please contact Zinnia Willits with questions about JIMI2025
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The 2023 cohort enjoyed gorgeous Jekyll Island weather and were able to each lunch outside. | Dr. David Butler leads a session on museum ethics at Villa Opso during JIMI2023. | JIMI participants have an opportunity to visit many historic sites on Jekyll Island including The Wanderer Memory Trail. | The JIMI2023 cohort made great memories and keep in touch regularly! | |
2023 final banquet and awards at the Jekyll Island Club. | |
IMLS Needs Museums’ Help with Recruitment | |
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The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) seeks volunteers to participate in interviews about the upcoming first-ever nationally representative survey of museums, the National Museum Survey (NMS)!
What you need to know:
· IMLS’ contractors ICF and Ebony need 24 museum leaders and administrators to help ensure that the NMS’ questions are easily understood and answerable.
· IMLS needs a wide range of perspectives — interviewees from museums of all types and sizes are welcome!
· Researchers will work to schedule one-hour virtual interviews at times that are convenient to you in July and August.
· Your interview will be confidential. The information you share will not be shared with IMLS grantmakers and will not affect any current or future relationship with IMLS.
Visit this link to express your interest:
https://imls.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3lBnBIT1jB5VgkC
Please participate and help shape this vital upcoming collection for the museum sector!
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2024 SEMC Annual Meeting: Take Advantage of Early Bird Rates! | |
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The Southeastern Museums Conference will hold its 2024 Annual Meeting October 21-23, 2024 at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
About the 2024 Conference Theme
The 2024 SEMC Conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, focuses on innovation and inspiration. How should museums move forward in a rapidly changing world? Over the last four years, we have experienced substantial shifts in governance, economy, community, societal beliefs, and technology. Despite these challenges, how can we continue to inspire our visitorship? Our donors? Our workforce? Let’s explore innovative ideas for change across our field, to ensure museums remain relevant and impactful now and in the future.
Join SEMC attendees for direct conversation, networking, and professional growth and development next fall in Baton Rouge!
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Louisiana's Old State Capitol, a Gothic architectural treasure, stands high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The 165-year-old statehouse has withstood war, fire, scandal, bitter debate, abandonment, and an occasional fistfight. Today, the building stands as a testament to bold, inspired leadership and active citizenship. SEMC2024 attendees can visit this unique building during the opening receptions on Sunday, October 20! | |
SEMC2024 Scholarship Applications - Last Call | |
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Apply for a SEMC 2024 Travel Scholarship!
Designed to encourage the participation of museum professionals at all levels, Annual Meeting scholarships cover registration plus a $500 travel stipend. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM CST on June 30, 2024.
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SEMC2024 Hotel Block is OPEN! | |
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SEMC2024 Annual Meeting sessions and activities will take place at The Hilton Capitol Center Hotel (201 Lafayette Street) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with evening events hosted at Baton Rouge area cultural institutions.
SEMC Annual Meetings are about connecting with colleagues, sharing ideas, and networking. We help facilitate community by contracting with a hotel for a discounted room block and centralizing meeting spaces.
Staying in the official headquarters hotel makes connecting with colleagues easier and helps SEMC keep the Annual Meeting affordable for attendees.
The cut-off date for reservations is October 5, 2024, or when the block is full, whichever comes first.
SEMC room blocks fill quickly. Book NOW to ensure the lowest rates!
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SEMC2024 Expo Hall - Booths Still Available...but going fast! | |
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Greetings, Members!
As we embrace the vibrant summer months, I trust you've found great success in your seasonal programs and enjoyed the Juneteenth celebrations! It's been a delight to see various events, camps, and other programming showcased on social media. You all are doing great work!
As we move closer to SEMC2024, watch this space for highlights of the timely sessions, workshops, and tours offered at our annual meeting in Baton Rouge. This month, I’m spotlighting an important workshop, Fundamentals, Strategies, and Stewardship for Grant Funding Success along with its presenters, Marcy Breffle and Jerald Crook.
Make plans to attend this workshop on October 21st, from 1:15 - 4:00 PM. All 2024 workshops are included in your conference registration fee. This session will provide you with essential grant funding skills. Please confirm your attendance when registering for the conference to help Marcy and Jerald plan.
Have a great week!
Heather Nowak, SEMC Program Administrator
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Fundamentals, Strategies, and Stewardship for Grant Funding Success | |
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About this workshop:
From qualification to stewardship, this workshop will walk you through the lifecycle of a grant. Hear from grant writers and readers on strategies to streamline workflows and management methods, develop impactful proposals, and stand out in the review process. We will explore research techniques to find funders, how to use AI for inspiration, and ways to reevaluate your evaluations. We'll discuss creative ways to build relationships with funders to leverage your next ask into an even bigger gift. Participants will leave this workshop with practical tips and templates to find their pitch, cut through the noise, deliver a winning proposal, and steward relationships into sustainable support.
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About the workshop presenters:
Marcy Breffle
Marcy Breffle is a consultant with Purpose Possible, an Atlanta-based development and fundraising firm. Purpose Possible provides wrap-around services to small to mid-size non-profits so clients can focus on what matters most — the mission-focused work. She specializes in grant writing and institutional giving to support arts, culture, and history-focused clients in Metro Atlanta. Marcy brings more than 10 years of experience in museums, historic preservation, and non-profit education to her work. She currently serves on the Georgia Association of Museums board as past president and was a member of SEMC's Leadership Institute Class of 2020.
When asked about presenting this workshop, Marcy states “I’m excited to demystify the grants process, share templates, and talk tradecraft so that participants of all levels can build their grant skills!”
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Jerald Crook
Georgia Humanities grants manager Jerald Crook is all about empowering communities to expand their cultural capital through arts and humanities programming. With a background in history and public administration, Jerald has spent the last 10 years working to connect communities with opportunities and resources that allow them to explore and better understand the world and people around them. He has worked as a community outreach specialist for the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, programs coordinator for the Alabama Humanities Alliance, and he is the founder and director of Higher Ground Society, an Alabama cultural nonprofit whose mission is to forge community and understanding through arts and humanities programming.
Jerald states, “I look forward to bringing the unique perspective of both a grants funder and grant writer to the SEMC "Fundamentals, Strategies, and Stewardship for Grant Funding Success" workshop.”
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Thank You SEMC 2024 Sponsors | |
Additional Sponsorship Opportunities Available! | |
Is your company interested in supporting the SEMC2024 Annual Meeting through sponsorship? Contact Zinnia Willits to learn more about sponsor opportunities, levels and benefits at zwillits@semcdirect.net or 843-224-0876 | |
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Are You a SERM Member?
Did you know SEMC has a robust reciprocal program?
The Southeastern Reciprocal Membership Program (SERM) is a way for museums to offer their members an opportunity to visit participating museums in our Southeastern region.
There is no cost for museums to join the SERM Program, no renewal process, and reciprocity is for general admission only. For SEMC institutional members, a participating museum membership card with the acronym, “SERM” must be shown to receive admission, or the participating museum must have the SERM logo displayed on their website for verification.
Click on the link to learn more about the program, SERM FAQ's
We encourage members to call before visiting a participating museum to verify membership in the SERM program and to inquire about any special admission circumstances.
If you have questions or want to have your museum participate in the SERM program, feel free to contact me!
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Don’t forget to follow us on social media so you can stay in the know about all things SEMC!
Instagram semcdirect
Facebook southeasternmuseums
Twitter semc2
Have a fantastic week,
Carla
Carla Phillips
Membership & Communications Manager
cphillips@semcdirect.net
Thank you for supporting SEMC through membership!
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Did you miss the May virtual programs? Access the recordings! | | | |
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SEMC Virtual Happy Hour
Friday, July 26, 2024
5:00PM EST (4:00PM CST)
Join your colleagues from around the region for SEMC's monthly virtual happy hour! Bring your drinks and stories from the week....or just show up.
Meet new people! Have a drink and many laughs. Everyone is welcome!
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Meeting ID: 884 5684 9221
Passcode: 216675
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SEMC 2024 Competitions - LAST CALL | |
SEMC 2024 Competitions (Publications, Exhibitions, and Technology are open for submissions through 11:59 PM CST on June 30, 2024. Applicants must be current SEMC members (institutional, corporate, or individual) to submit a project or publication for consideration. Please visit the link below for contact info and further information on each competition. Good luck to all applicants!! The review committee have their work cut out! | | |
Nominate a Colleague for a SEMC Leadership Award | | |
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The SEMC Awards Committee needs your help to identify and honor outstanding colleagues who have helped shape museums in the southeast. 2024 award recipients will be honored at the Annual Awards Luncheon on October 23, 2024, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
2024 Awards Committee Chair, Rosalind Martin, encourages all SEMC members to consider worthy friends, colleagues, and mentors who, through their work with museums and their activities in museum associations, have provided exemplary service to the southeastern museum community.
Award nominations will be accepted through July 31, 2024.
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2023 award recipients (from left) S. Dakota Brown, Tricia Miller, Patrick Daily, and Robin Reed in conversation with SEMC Executive Director, Zinnia Willits at the Leadership Awards Roundtable at SEMC2023. | |
SEMC Ones to Watch spotlights museum talent making an impact across our region.
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SEMC proudly features Madison Davis, as the One to Watch this month! Madison is the K-12 Education Coordinator for the Museum of History & Holocaust Education in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Madison's nomination letter highlights her positive interactions and leadership role with staff and educators and her education accomplishments for MHHE!
"Maddie is such a delight to work with! She approaches her work positively, and our educators look to her for advice and mentorship. She is a vital part of our team.
She got the summer camp program off the ground for the MHHE and will again coordinate five weeks of activities with staff and campers this June/July. We are so lucky to have her!"
Congratulations Madison Davis: One to Watch!
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Consider nominating an emerging or mid-career museum professional as a "one to watch" and help SEMC identify and recognize those who are enhancing the profession in a special way and working to make a difference in their community through work in a museum. Nominees do not have to be current SEMC members. In fact, we'll give non-members an individual membership in recognition of their great work!
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SEMC Receives Grant from The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities! | |
Funding for this project has been provided by the State of Louisiana and administered by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. | |
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Earlier this month, SEMC was honored to receive a $10,000 Strategic Partnership Grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) for the 2024 Annual Meeting in Baton Rouge. LEH Strategic Partnership Grants support long-running, impactful public humanities programming implemented by a geographically diverse cadre of LEH partners.
The grant was submitted in partnership with the Louisiana Association of Museums (LAM) and will support: five (5) SEMC2024 Annual Meeting registration scholarships with associated travel stipends to be awarded to Louisiana museum professionals, speaker honorariums for Louisiana humanities scholars headlining the 2024 Plenary Session and costs associated with rental of technology equipment for conference session rooms at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center.
This project is in line with SEMC’s mission and commitment to encourage diversity and foster collegiality across its broad membership of museum professionals representing numerous humanities disciplines.
Louisiana members: Stay tuned for the additional travel scholarship applications opening in July!
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Thank you to LAM and LEH for the partnership and support for SEMC2024!
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Environmental Monitoring: The process of using tools and techniques to measure, evaluate, and observe environmental conditions and parameters. | |
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Today we are proud to feature SEMC Industry Partner, Conserv, a Corporate Friend member since 2020.
Located in Birmingham, Alabama, Conserv is a leading provider of environmental monitoring and integrated pest management for museums, libraries, archives, historic homes, and preservation.
Using state-of-the-art wireless data collection devices, real-time data is delivered to the software within minutes of setup to provide industry-leading levels of accuracy. With Conserv’s Preservation Metrics, using Excel spreadsheets and dealing with awkward software is a thing of the past, enabling your team to quickly assemble and share the data you need. The Conserv expert support team made up of collections care professionals, works directly with your staff to provide customized training and support to fit the needs of your institution.
Want more information? Contact Conserv at https://conserv.io/ and look for their team in the exhibition hall at SEMC 2024.
Thank you Conserv for being part of the SEMC community!
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SEMC: Posts that made us stop scrolling and LOOK this week.... | |
Looks like a HUGE Juneteenth turnout at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum last week! Wish we had a video of the line dancing! | Look at this proud museum person! Congratulations Jennifer Moss at the Oconee History Museum on completing the Smithsonian 2024 Ethical Interpretation Workshop! #SEMCProud | |  |
Ohhh....a program where visitors can touch things (ahem...education collection) at the Tennesse State Museum. We are guessing this is hugely popular #PleaseTouch | What a lovely program at the South Carolina State Museum to bring artists together (past, present, and future) in conversation and community. | | |
SEMC IS THANKFUL FOR ALL NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS! | |
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We greatly appreciate your support through membership and will continue to work hard in 2024 to provide training, connection, and resources to our southeastern museums' community.
THANK YOU!
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SEMC: Around the Region..... | |
SEMC staff has the opportunity to interact with members across the region each week...and we see and hear so much. Watch this E-News feature for information we pick up in weekly calls, emails, Zooms, and in-person visits with members! | |
Historic New Orleans Collection Features Portraits of Unknown Sitters | |
Several portraits featured in the "Unknown Sitters" exhibition - at least one has since been identified by the New Orleans community. | |
The exhibition Unknown Sitters, on display through October, features portraits from The Historic New Orleans Collection (TNHOC) of people who are unidentified in the Collection's records. The exhibit has already seen active community engagement in helping to identify individuals and includes collaboration with New Orleans schools through THNOC’s annual Student Writing Contest. Students were invited to imagine details beyond the historical evidence in a selection of the exhibition’s portraits and to create names and stories for some of these individuals. The first-place submissions for elementary, middle, and high school are displayed in the exhibition. Check out the creative winning entries available here. | |
Thank you SEMC members for all you do for the museums in our region! | |
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Dear SEMC,
When I am invited to attend a museum event (wherever it is in the southeast) if I can make the timing work, I'll go!
Last week Glenna Barlow, Director of Education at the Columbia Museum of Art was kind enough to extend an invitation to join her and other colleagues from the Columbia Museum of Art, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, the Mobile Museum of Art, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art and Art Bridges for the American South Consortium Cohort Convening (learn more in the session at SEMC2024!) in Columbia. I was able to join the group for dinner and an evening of Drag Bingo at the Columbia Museum of Art. What a FUN and inclusive way to celebrate National Pride Month and hang with museum leaders from across the region. The event brought out a HUGE crowd, great prizes, and some serious entertainment from Patti O'Furniture.
Thanks so much for including me. Looking forward to seeing everyone at SEMC2024!
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Zinnia Willits, Executive Director
zwillits@semcdirect.net
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Thank you Glenna Barlow for your work with museum education! | |
The American South Consortium cohort...and Patti. | |
Patti O' Furniture running a lively bingo game at the Columbia Museum of Art! | | |
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SOUTHEASTERN MUSEUMS CONFERENCE
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