Quote: sbhunterca wrote:
We have had (and currently have one) town councillors on the museum board, but not as a result of deliberate recruitment. They have a special place, though, since they are so well connected with what is happening in the town.
True, but he or she has to declare a conflict of interest when any issue comes up at a council that directly effects the railway museum. Same should go at your meetings when issues come up that relate to the city. That could hurt you when it comes to getting grants or favours from the city.
There is one long time councilor on the St. Thomas, Ontario city council that is definitely a friend of the ECRM and supports us 100%, but he refuses to become a member of the museum to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. I'm sure once his political career is over he'll probably join the museum.
Absolutely! With the wrong individual, problems could arise. The councillors who have also been board members have been excellent at declaring conflicts wherever one could be imagined, whether or not a real conflict existed. As a board, we also think about such things- either in relation to our personal business or that of others.
We do not deliberately seek councillors or other politicians, but as long as they bring experience, knowledge, interest, and ethics that will benefit the museum we certainly don't discourage them.
We, too, have a number of local political types who are great supporters and would love to serve on the board, but prefer to stay on the outside for these reasons. In their own way, they are very helpful.
All in all, it's been a good thing for our museum, but it could be quite the opposite if the wrong political type joined the board- or if the wrong type of person, who happened to be a board member, entered politics with the hope of pushing projects through! It's all about ethics!
Steve
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