On serving on a board

I have volunteered recently to work with a group of people.  This group follows after a personal interest of mine – preservation of history.

One of my graduate degrees focused on archival work.  The opportunity was given to me to be employed while taking my schooling.  All I had to do (and did) was itemize the group of papers that had arrived in the provincial archives.  Following that, my next place of employment allowed me to help gather and work with the archives of the institution and denomination.  After several years, I was also given the opportunity to serve as president of the provincial archival society.

For almost two decades I have quietly laid aside the active part of this passion for history.  Of course, anyone who listens to my sermons or probes my understandings will run across “story”, which is most often related to understanding and applying history.

Now, I am back into the fray of history. 

This time the entrance back seems to be more related to administration than research and study.  The museum was looking for board members.

Serving on a board is different than researching.  The first thing that I have done is visit with the manager of the museum, and contact the chair of the board to get some sense of this particular board.  And last night I read the last three years of minutes.

I am surprised by the opportunities, and yet inclined to think that more could be done.  Having served on boards for years, I realize the culture of the board needs to head outward and not in a maintenance mode.  I’m interested to see where this board will go.  An adventure, to say the least (or the most!).

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