james donaldson
TRANSCRIPT
CRICOS Provider No 00025B
2015 Museums & Galleries Queensland Conference #2015MGQcon
Volunteers Are Visitors Too
James DonaldsonSenior Museum Officer, RD Milns Antiquities Museum
Too Many Volunteers? A Case Study in Volunteer Engagement from the RD Milns Antiquities Museum, University of Queensland
CRICOS Provider No 00025B
Too Many Volunteers?A Case Study in
Volunteer Engagement
James DonaldsonSenior Museum OfficerRD Milns Antiquities Museum
CRICOS Provider No 00025B
Early Years: 2007 - 2011
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Volunteers 13 NaN 18 35 21 27 29 48 24
Staff 3 NaN 3 3 4 5 5 5 4
Tourguides 0 NaN 7 10 7 7 9 9 12
Interns 4 NaN 3 4 0 4 5 3 4
5
15
25
35
45
55
65
Volunteers and Staff over Time
Co
un
t
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Early Years: Challenges and Successes
Challenges• Dramatically
increased demand
• Lack of effective planning
• Poor volunteer retention
• Lack of staff time
Successes• Community
Atmosphere• Hands-on
experience• Effective staff
training
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Refurbishment: 2011
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Volunteers 13 NaN 18 35 21 27 29 48 24
Staff 3 NaN 3 3 4 5 5 5 4
Tourguides 0 NaN 7 10 7 7 9 9 12
Interns 4 NaN 3 4 0 4 5 3 4
5
15
25
35
45
55
65
Volunteers and Staff over Time
Co
un
t
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New Museum: 2012-2014
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Volunteers 13 NaN 18 35 21 27 29 48 24
Staff 3 NaN 3 3 4 5 5 5 4
Tourguides 0 NaN 7 10 7 7 9 9 12
Interns 4 NaN 3 4 0 4 5 3 4
5
15
25
35
45
55
65
Volunteers and Staff over Time
Co
un
t
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Challenges and Successes
Challenges• Volunteers not
in strategic plan• Demand
remained high • Lack of staff
time
Successes• New gallery =
more projects• More focused
volunteer roles• Institution of
Gallery Volunteers
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Future Museum: 2015-2017
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Volunteers 13 NaN 18 35 21 27 29 48 24
Staff 3 NaN 3 3 4 5 5 5 4
Tourguides 0 NaN 7 10 7 7 9 9 12
Interns 4 NaN 3 4 0 4 5 3 4
5
15
25
35
45
55
65
Volunteers and Staff over Time
Co
un
t
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How are we tracking?
Challenges• Continuing to
develop program
• Managing volunteer and staff needs
• Managing demands on the program
Successes• Improved staff
engagement with volunteers
• Improved volunteer retention
CRICOS Provider No 00025B
Concluding Thoughts
Yes, you can have too many volunteers!
• Make volunteering part of your Museum Vision
• Staff need to “buy-in” to volunteering• Having a volunteer plan is essential • Think about what volunteers need and what
your Museum needs• Volunteers are your best ambassadors
CRICOS Provider No 00025B
Thank you
Questions?
James DonaldsonSenior Museum OfficerRD Milns Antiquities [email protected]