September 6-7, 2007 - Austin, TX
Hosted by the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
About Accreditation
Achieving accreditation from the American Association of Museums is the ultimate seal of approval. It is national recognition of a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. Accreditation outcomes include credibility and accountability, a renewed sense of purpose, leverage and support, and sustainability and a stronger institution. For thirty-five years the Accreditation Program has served as the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation, and public accountability. Developed and sustained by museum professionals, the Program reflects, reinforces, and promotes best practices, institutional ethics, and the highest standards of museum operations. Today, approximately 770 institutions throughout the nation are accredited. The list includes institutions like yours! Institutions of all types and sizes, and in all disciplines—art, history, natural history, science, aquariums, arboretums, planetariums, and zoological parks—are accredited.
Who Should Attend?
This seminar is for you if your museum is:
· accredited, and starting a review in the next 2-3 years
· planning to apply, or
· just deciding whether and when to pursue accreditation
Why you should attend!
The seminar is based on over three decades of lessons learned from hundreds of institutions and thousands of reviews.
· Learn what accreditation standards are—in plain language—and how they apply to your museum
· Discover how to ensure a smooth process and a successful outcome
· Gain valuable tips to maximize benefits, minimize delays, and avoid setbacks
· Learn effective approaches to preparing for and managing each step of the accreditation process
· Get advice from your peers—from how they benefit from accreditation to effectively “selling” it to boards/parent organizations
What you will experience!
· Presentations by members of the Accreditation Commission, directors of accredited museums, and Accreditation Program staff
· Interactive exercises and small group discussions
· Breakouts sessions for accredited museums and for applicants
· Leave with take-home exercises and a list of next steps
Seminar Overview
The seminar takes place 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration check-in, continental breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Morning Session w/break
12:15 – 1:30 p.m. Luncheon and Discussion Groups
1:30 – 5:00 p.m. Afternoon Session w/break
· The Secrets of Accreditation
The big picture secrets, culled from countless reviews over three and half decades are presented. Later in the seminar see examples and find out how to apply the secrets. Participants have an opportunity to identify their goals and concerns which will be addressed throughout the seminar.
· Accreditation Overview
Get the basics about the accreditation process, terms, requirements, and key players. Review the basic documents used in the process, costs, and resources available. This will get you grounded for the rest of the seminar.
· Standards of Accreditation
This segment covers the standards, where they can be found, and how they are applied.
· Barriers to Accreditation
Discover the most common reasons why institutions are delayed or falter in their pursuit of accreditation. Learn strategies to avoid setbacks in your institution.
· A View From the Trenches
Hear about the true life experiences, realized benefits, and lessons learned from directors that have “survived” accreditation reviews at their own museums and do site visits for other museums. Hear from other participants about their accreditation benefits and strategies.
Friday, September 7, 2007
8:30 – 9:00 Continental breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Morning Session w/break
12:00 - 1:15 p.m. Lunch on your own
1:15 – 5:00 p.m. Afternoon Session w/break
· From the Accreditation Commission’s Perspective
Benefit from an insider’s view of the discussions and deliberations that are part of the Accreditation Commission’s review of over 100 institutions a year. Learn how the Commission makes its decisions and why. The session includes time for question-and-answer.
· Applying the Standards
Through an interactive exercise designed especially for this seminar, you will gain a better understanding of how the standards of accreditation are applied during an institution’s review.
· Applying the Secrets
Based on actual scenarios the staff and Commission have consistently seen over many years, learn the common process and content barriers, how to diagnose your own situation, and use the secrets of accreditation to avoid problems in the review process. This will help you allocate staff time, plan a realistic schedule, get everyone “on board,” and go into the process with the right attitude.
· Taking It Home
This session provides time to reflect on the seminar’s content and create a next-steps plan on how you will apply what you learned when you return to your institution. It includes a seminar summary and a final opportunity to ask questions.
Optional: Saturday, September 8, 2007
Accreditation Program staff will be available from 8:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. at the hotel for short individual conferences. Contact the staff directly at accreditation@aam-us.org to sign up in advance. On-site, participants can sign up for remaining time slots.
Questions
Or special needs including access, dietary, or other accommodations? Contact AAM’s Professional Education Program staff at (202) 289-9114.
Registration
Register Registration deadline extended to Wednesday, August 22.
Registration is $295 for AAM Members and $345 for Non-members. Registration includes participation in seminar sessions, handout materials, lunch on Thursday and daily breaks. Registration closes on Wednesday, August 22, 2007. Requests for refunds must be received in writing by August 10th. No refunds will be given after that date.
Host Location
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin, Texas, tells the “Story of Texas” with three floors of interactive exhibits, the special effects show, The Star of Destiny, in the Texas Spirit Theater, and Austin's only IMAX™ Theatre, featuring the signature large-format film, Texas: The Big Picture. For more information, visit www.thestoryoftexas.com.
Hotel
Our host hotel is Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown, 500 N IH 35, Austin, TX 78701, which is offering a special rate of $119 per night (deluxe single/double occupancy, plus applicable taxes). For reservations, please call (800) 684-7241. Be sure to identify yourself as an AAM Secrets of Accreditation seminar participant to receive the special, negotiated rate. Reservations must be made by Friday, August 17, 2007. A credit card number or deposit equal to one night’s stay is required to hold each individual’s reservation. All deposits will be charged at the time the reservation is made. Reservations made after August 17 will be offered on a space-and-rate-available basis.
Travel
Association Travel Concepts (ATC), AAM’s official travel agency, can help with your travel plans. It guarantees the lowest airfare available for all airlines at the time of booking and offers free flight insurance with each ticket. When making reservations with ATC, identify yourself as a participant in the “Secrets of Accreditation” seminar. For reservations, call (800) 278-1140, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (EST).
