Small Museums, Important Collections - Day 2 - Session 3: Governing Authorities and Collections

Includes a Live Web Event on 11/13/2025 at 1:30 PM (EST)

Only available as part of a package

Governing authorities often play an outsized role at small museums. At large museums, boards often focus on oversight and fundraising, but at small museums, especially those run entirely by volunteers, boards are often hands-on, deciding what to collect, creating displays, and determining standards of care, in addition to exercising their legal responsibilities as trustees. This session will help governing authorities and those who work with them understand their legal and ethical responsibilities, and to put best practices in place.

Topics will include:

Governing authorities and their policy role
Best practices in collections
Professional development and education for governing authorities
Consideration of various forms of governance models (e.g. independent 501(c)3, museum run by local government, etc.)

Breakout sessions will allow attendees to discuss single topics in more detail. You will choose which group you want to join for brainstorming and discussion.

Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the early-bird registration deadline date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between the early-bird deadline date and eight days prior to the workshop will be subject to a $55 processing/materials charge. No refunds will be given within seven days of the workshop date. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

Cancellations/Refunds for online professional development (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the start date for the online course or the day of the webinar will be given a full refund. No refund will be given after the start date for the online course or on/after the day of the webinar. Registrants may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations cannot be transferred between courses or course sessions. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

If you have any questions, please contact AASLH Professional Development staff at learn@aaslh.org or 615-320-3203.

Sara Phalen

Director/Curator

West Chicago City Museum/Warrenville Historical Society, West Chicago, IL

Sara Phalen joined the West Chicago Museum staff in 2006 as a summer intern and continued with the museum in the roles of education coordinator and registrar. In 2013, Sara became the director/curator. She is also an active West Chicago community member, serving on the boards of the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, People Made Visible/Gallery 200, and the West Chicago Historical Society. Additionally, she is a core team member of Healthy West Chicago and a Commissioner on the Cultural Arts Commission.

Jeremy Davis

Executive Director

Museum of North Texas History

Jeremy Davis is the Executive Director of the Museum of North Texas History in Wichita Falls. He also serves as the Regent Pro Tem for Museum Outreach of the Foundation for Coast Guard History, aiding in development of a museum network in support of the National Coast Guard Museum. He is an advisor to the Texas America250 Commission, a proud member of the University Kiwanis Club, and holds a Master of Arts in museum studies from the University of Oklahoma.

Anne McCudden

Executive Director

New Mexico Historic Sites

Anne McCudden is Executive Director of New Mexico Historic Sites, where she leads ead the division’s preservation, management, and operations of eight historic sites located throughout New Mexico including Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner, Coronado, Fort Selden, Fort Stanton, Jemez, Lincoln, Los Luceros, and Taylor-Mesilla, She formerly served as Executive Director of the Thomasville History Center in Thomasville, Georgia.