Professional Development New Year's Resolutions

January 04, 2021 12:51 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

I always appreciate the chance for a fresh start at the beginning of the year, and to make some resolutions. My work-related resolutions this year include continuing to work on my productivity, make my office a space that feels calm and inspiring, and learn lots of new things.

In case you are thinking of some work resolutions this year too, I’ve put a little list together of some possible resolutions and how MMA can help with those.

Invest in relationships

MMA Member Communities help you develop ongoing relationships with colleagues related to professional development goals. Current groups focus on Productivity and Time Management; Historic House Museums; Upper Peninsula Museums; Diversity, Inclusion, Access and Equity; Exhibit Designers; and Disaster Preparedness. Other possible groups under discussion relate to development, all-volunteer museums, and users of Past Perfect collections software.

Take the Lead

Everyone can be a leader regardless of role or authority and MMA’s 2021 Leadership Series will help participants better understand their own leadership strengths and challenges. Register for the entire series or one session at a time. Scholarships are available and the deadline to apply is Thursday, January 7 at noon.

Solve Ongoing Issues

MMA Ask an Expert programs are designed to help museum staff and volunteers connect with experts in specific areas. Experts are selected based on member requests and emerging concerns.

Have More Conversations

MMA Colleague Chats provide the chance for members and other to talk about specific topics related to their work. The format is informal and follows the path taken by participants.

Be Inspired

Listening to colleagues talk about their work can often create a spark of creativity or inspiration, or can be a few moments of respite from the intensity of daily work. MI Museum Spotlights let MMA members share projects and lessons learned.

Stay on Top of Things

The MMA Weekly arrives in your inbox every Monday, and is full up new information, upcoming events, and other opportunities. Look for it to get all the latest news.

Take Some Time to Reflect

The MMA Review provides a monthly “look back” on what’s been happening at MMA and in the Michigan museum community. Designed to be a longer read, it provides the chance to take a break and see what’s been going on.

Invest in MMA

There are several ways that you can make MMA stronger. Besides participating in programs, members can serve as volunteers to do projects and plan programs and events. Two appeals each year (spring/summer and year-end) provide direct financial support to make our work possible.

Show Up

There WILL be an MMA conference in 2021, though it will likely look a little different. We will do our best to make it safe, convenient, and affordable. Although the realities of 2021 might make it a challenge to attend, try to do it anyway. We will have some scholarships to make it more affordable. We will choose a location that is relatively close to as many members as possible. And we will design it to accommodate social distancing and COVID-19 best practice, in case that is still needed. We will do what we can to make it possible, but you may have to work harder to find funding (MCACA mini-grant, anyone?), travel a ways, and make some accommodations. But it will be worth it, we promise. And won’t it be wonderful to SEE each other for real?!?

Find Expertise

MMA has a new Business Directory on the website, and we are excited to add our regular business members, as well as our new consultant and university members. Check out the directory when you need to find someone who really knows their stuff.

Explore

The MMA website is evolving to be a place to find broad and specific information. Many have visited the website for information about dealing with COVID-19, but we are also working on making it a resource for many areas of museum work. Pop over to explore, and feel free to provide feedback for what you’d like to see there.

Commit

The success of the Michigan Museums Association depends completely on the willingness of the Michigan museum community to participate. We have just listed eleven different ways that you can be part of it, but one of the most critical ways for you to ensure the impact of MMA is to join as a member. MMA memberships provide a regular stream of financial support to allow us to plan and commit to you. Your membership gives you the opportunity to commit to us.

I hope these have been helpful and have sparked some ideas for your resolutions, even if you don’t turn to MMA to help with them.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year!!


Lisa Craig Brisson
Executive Director


The Michigan Museums Association is supported in part by an award from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council

Thank you to our Partners!


Michigan Museums Association       313-334-7643       PO Box 5246, Cheboygan, MI 49721      lcbrisson@michiganmuseums.org

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