STRATEGIC PLAN

NATIONAL HEISEY GLASS MUSEUM of the
HEISEY COLLECTORS OF AMERICA

2001- 2004
Adopted July 21, 2001

VISION STATEMENT

The Heisey Collectors of America established the National Heisey Glass Museum in Newark in 1972 to display and promote the study of the products of the A.H. Heisey Company (1896-1957), primarily for HCA’s members. For almost thirty years, HCA has maintained the museum and HCA’s national membership in turn has generously supported the facility and HCA. This support has enabled the organization to continue to build its collection, maintain an archives, add a 6,000 square foot addition to the original King House, establish an endowment, and hire professional staff—among other accomplishments. At the turn of the twenty-first century, the National Heisey Glass Museum is the place for members of the Heisey Collectors of America and all who have an appreciation of fine glassware to see an outstanding collection and learn more about the A.H. Heisey Company and its beautiful products.

As the thirtieth year of the National Heisey Glass Museum approaches, Heisey Collectors of America is poised to move the museum forward in decisive ways. To achieve its mission to preserve, collect and interpret Heisey glass and related materials and information, HCA recognizes that it must make plans for the facility’s future. The Heisey Collectors of America’s first-ever strategic plan for the museum envisions a variety of exciting prospects: HCA members and a general public that are aware of and support the museum, educational programs and exhibits that engage all who view them, and a superlative collection that is well administered. These goals will be realized through the prudent management and steady increase of financial, administrative, and personnel resources and will over the next three years enable the Heisey Collectors of America to make the National Heisey Glass Museum the best it can be.

 MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the National Heisey Glass Museum is to preserve, collect, and interpret Heisey glass, related materials, and information.

The Heisey Collectors of America will manage its financial resources in order to ensure that the museum has the funds its needs to accomplish its mission.

 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & TASKS

I. Public Relations

HCA through the National Heisey Glass Museum will ensure that the general public and members are aware of and support the National Heisey Glass Museum and the Heisey Collectors of America.

  1. Create a coordinated public relations program.

    1. Assess current public relations program (Committee: Publicity).

      1. List current public relations programs.

      2. Evaluate current public relations programs.

      3. Make recommendations for improvement of current public relations programs.

    2. Write a mission statement for the National Heisey Glass Museum’s public relations program (Committee: Publicity).

    3. Determine the goals of the museum’s public relations program (Committee: Publicity).

  2. Establish relationships with other collecting groups.

    1. Identify reasons for entering into a relationship with other groups (Committee: Publicity).

      1. Identify reasons for the NHGM.

      2. Identify reasons for the other collecting groups.

    2. List mutually beneficial programs (Committee: Publicity).

    3. Compile lists of and contact other groups (Committee: Publicity).

  3. Establish relationships with other area attractions.

    1. Identify reasons for entering into a relationship with other groups (Committee: Publicity).

      1. Identify reasons for the NHGM.

      2. Identify reasons for the other area attractions.

    2. List mutually beneficial programs (Committee: Publicity).

    3. Compile lists of and contact other groups (Committee: Publicity).

  4. Increase and strengthen Heisey Collectors of America members’ relationships to the National Heisey Glass Museum.

    1. Identify ways to use Heisey News newsletter to promote the museum to members (Committees: Publicity/Membership).

    2. Make recommendations for content in newsletter that will promote the museum to members (Committees: Publicity/Membership).

    3. Start to implement selected recommendations for content for the newsletter (Committees: Publicity/Membership).

    4. Identify ways to use the Heisey Collectors of America’s web site to promote the museum to members (Committees: Publicity/Membership).

    5. Make recommendations for content on the web site that will promote the museum to members (Committees: Publicity/Membership).

    6. Start to implement selected recommendations for content on the web site (Committees: Publicity/Membership).

    7. Identify additional ways to strengthen members’ relationships to the National Heisey Glass Museum (Committees: Publicity/Membership).

    8. Make recommendations for ways to strengthen members’ relationships to the museum (Committees: Publicity/Membership).

    9. Start to implement selected recommendations relating to the strengthening of members’ relationship to the museum (Committee: Membership).

    10. Continue providing a booth for the National Heisey Glass Museum at off-site Heisey Collectors of America events (Committee: Executive).

  5. Improve signage in National Heisey Glass Museum and off-site as well

    1. Determine the kind of signage needed to promote the museum off site (Committee: Publicity).

    2. Contact local government, state government and other attractions and entities to determine the feasibility of signage to the museum and write a plan of action. (Committee: Publicity).

    3. Implement outdoor signage plan. (Committee: Publicity).

II. Finance and Development

The Heisey Collectors of America will manage its financial resources in order to ensure that the museum has the funds its needs to accomplish its mission.

  1. Review Heisey Collectors of America/National Heisey Glass Museum budget

    1. Identify income and expense centers of HCA and the museum. (Committee: Budget/Finance, enlarged by the addition of members and/or the Executive Committee)

        Examples of income/expense centers: glass shop at Institute of Industrial Technology, Heisey museum shop, Heisey News

    2. Make recommendations to revise budget categories (not sums budgeted, but names of categories) (Committee: Budget/Finance, enlarged by the addition of members and/or the Executive Committee).

    3. Perform cost/benefit analysis of Heisey glass shop at IIT (Committee: Budget/Finance, with chairs of Archives/Research and Education committees, and the Assistant Curator).

  2. Create fundraising and development program

    1. Identify, research, and recommend types of fundraising and development programs. (Committee: Museum and others).

      • Examples include planned giving, annual giving, grants, and sponsorship programs.

    2. Select which fundraising and development programs to implement. (Committee: Executive Committee and entire board).

    3. Implement selected fundraising and development programs. (Committee: entire board and other committees to be determined by the president of HCA).

  3. Continue to encourage contributions to endowment fund in support of the National Heisey Glass Museum.

    1. Investigate other organizations’ endowment development programs and make recommendations. (Committees: Endowment and Museum).

    2. Develop recognition program for endowment contributors (Committees: Endowment and Museum).

    3. Publicize endowment fund in newsletter, and at museum and events (Committees: Publicity and Endowment).

    4. Restructure brochures, membership mailings, and other materials to include line for endowment contribution (Committees: Endowment and staff).

    5. Identify other means by which HCA can encourage contributions to the endowment fund (Committee: Endowment).

  4. Review and expand sources of earned income.

    1. Identify and recommend projects to raise earned income. (Committee: Projects).

    2. Investigate means of increasing shop sales. (Committees: Museum and Projects).

    3. Determine whether educational programs could generate income. (Committee: Education).

III. Education and Programs

HCA through the National Heisey Glass Museum will ensure that it disseminates accurate information about Heisey glass and glassmaking to members of the Heisey Collectors of America and to the general public.

  1. Assess current educational programs and materials.

    1. List all programs and associated materials and identify the purpose of the programs and materials (Committee: Education).

    2. Evaluate educational programs and materials in light of various audiences who use these programs (Committee: Education).

    3. Suggest improvements for existing programs (Committee: Education).

  2. Develop educational programs for members of the Heisey Collectors of America.

    1. Identify topics for new programs and educational materials (Committee: Education).

      • Examples of topics include, but are not limited to Heisey glass patterns, colors, decorations, glassmaking, animals.

    2. Identify delivery methods for the presentation of various topics to members of Heisey Collectors of America (Committee: Education).

      • Examples of delivery methods include, but are not limited to Microsoft Power Point presentations, Heisey News newsletter, HCA’s web site, a speakers bureau, traveling exhibits for clubs. (Other committees, for example, the web committee, may be involved in the development of various delivery methods as required)

    3. Prioritize, research, and develop selected programs for members of the Heisey Collectors of America (Committee: Education).

  3. Develop educational programs for the adult general public

    1. Identify potential target audiences for National Heisey Glass Museum educational programs (Committee: Education).

      • Examples of potential target audiences include, but are not limited to senior citizens groups, service clubs, and tourists.

    2. Identify topics for programs aimed at the adult general public (Committee: Education).

      • Examples of topics include, but are not limited to comparisons of Heisey glass to that of other manufacturers, histories of Heisey glass and of glassmaking generally in the Ohio River Valley, and the art of handmade glass.

    3. Identify delivery methods for the presentation of various topics to the adult general public. It is envisioned the same delivery methods used for HCA members will be used for the general public. See Part III, Section B, number 2 above for examples. (Committee: Education).

    4. Prioritize, research, and develop selected educational programs for the adult general public (Committee: Education).

  4. Develop educational programs for young people in grades K-12.

    1. Consult with teachers to identify and prioritize desired topics and programs (Committee: Education).

    2. Identify delivery methods based on age appropriateness (Committee: Education).

    3. Prioritize, research, and develop selected on- and off-site programs (Committee: Education).

  5. Encourage research and publication of information about Heisey glass and the A.H. Heisey Company.

    1. Solicit individuals to revise and update existing publications of the Heisey Collectors of America (Committee: Research & Archives).

    2. Survey members of HCA and non-members about publications they would like to read about Heisey (Committee: Research & Archives).

      • In addition to HCA members, those surveyed would include, but not be limited to visitors to the National Heisey Glass Museum and Heisey show and convention attendees.

    3. Identify archival materials available for research (Committee: Research & Archives).

    4. Solicit authors for new publications (Committee: Research & Archives).

  6. Develop educational exhibits in the museum that tell the Heisey glass story.

    1. Visit other museums to gather ideas (Members of the Education, Museum, and Research and Archives committees).

    2. Identify topics for exhibits (Members of the Education, Museum, and Research and Archives committees).

    3. Identify and prioritize displays that will be converted into exhibits (Members of the Education, Museum, and Research and Archives committees).

    4. Identify and prioritize new exhibits—both "permanent" and temporary (Members of the Education, Museum, and Research and Archives committees).

    5. Convert one existing display into an exhibit (Members of the Education, Museum, and Research and Archives committees).

    6. Create one new exhibit (Members of the Education, Museum, and Research and Archives committees).

    7. Evaluate converted and new exhibits (Members of the Education, Museum, and Research and Archives committees).

IV. Facilities

The Heisey Collectors of America will ensure that the National Heisey Glass Museum provides an adequate physical plant to carry out its mission.

  1. Provide for general upkeep and maintenance of the NHGM’s buildings.

    1. Identify needed repairs to the museum’s facilities, which include the administration building, the King House, the collection storage facility, and the facilities at the Institute of Industrial Technology (Committee: Museum & Executive).

    2. Develop a maintenance schedule for the museum’s facilities (Committees: Museum).

    3. Recommend budget items for the repair and maintenance of the museum’s facilities (Committee: Museum).

  2. Provide for capital improvements to the National Heisey Glass Museum’s facilities

    1. Assess museum’s needs (Committee: Museum).

    2. Determine capital needs for facilities (Committee: Museum).

    3. Develop budget recommendations for capital improvements (Committee: Museum).

V. Collections

HCA through the National Heisey Glass Museum will ensure that it acquires and maintains a broad collection of Heisey glass and related materials.

  1. Develop and implement collections management system in accordance with accepted professional standards.

    1. Review and update collection policy and procedures (Committees: Acquisitions and Museum).

    2. Organize existing collection records (Committees: Acquisitions and Museum; museum staff).

    3. Review status of loans and insure that they are in compliance with policies (Committees: Acquisitions and Museum; museum staff).

  2. Determine needed additions to the collection of the National Heisey Glass Museum.

    1. Review existing collection (Committee: Acquisitions and museum staff).

    2. Prioritize needed additions to the collection (Committee: Acquisitions and museum staff).

  3. Organize and improve collection storage areas.

    1. List all collection storage areas (Committees: Museum and Warehouse).

    2. Assess structural and environmental conditions of storage areas (Committees: Museum and Warehouse).

    3. Assess storage space needs (Committees: Museum and Warehouse).

    4. Create additional storage space (Committees: Museum and Warehouse).

  4. Improve accessibility of archival materials.

    1. Organize and catalog archival materials (Committees: Research and Archives; museum staff).

    2. Create finding aids for archival materials (Committees: Research and Archives; museum staff).

    3. Prioritize materials to be reproduced (Committees: Research and Archives; museum staff).

    4. Reproduce and make available archival materials (Committees: Research and Archives; museum staff).

VI. Administration

The Heisey Collectors of America through the board of directors will create policy and provide direction to professional staff.

  1. Develop board member orientation materials

    1. Obtain orientation materials from other organizations (Committee: Executive and HCA Secretary).

    2. Review materials board members already receive (Committee: Executive and HCA Secretary).

    3. Determine needed materials for board orientation packet (Committee: Executive and HCA Secretary).

      • Materials should include duties and responsibilities of board members.

      • Materials should outline the duties and responsibilities of the staff.

    4. Distribute board member orientation materials to all new board members and update materials of current board members (Committee: Executive and HCA Secretary).

  2. Encourage members of the Heisey Collectors of America to volunteer to serve on the board and on committees

    1. Encourage members of HCA to become voting members (if not already) (Committee: Membership and entire board).

      • Add explanation of HCA membership levels to new member letter.

      • Add information about membership levels to newsletter.

      • Contact study clubs and encourage their members to become voting members of HCA.

    2. Identify ways to encourage service to the board of HCA and its committees (Committee: entire board).

      3. Suggestions include:

      • Reduce number of meetings.

      • Increase use of teleconferencing.

      • Vary meeting locations.

      • Reduce size of board.

    3. Maintain diversity of membership in general and among board and committees, specifically diversity defined in terms of:

      • Geography

      • Ethnicity

      • Occupation

      • Economic

      • Age

      • Gender

      (Committee: entire board).

  3. Maintain regular review of governing policies.

    1. Identify existing and needed governing policies (Committee: entire board).

  4. Improve communication between the board of the Heisey Collectors of America and HCA’s members.

    1. Continue president’s message in the Heisey Collectors of America newsletter.

    2. Continue quarterly treasurer’s report in newsletter.

    3. Publish minutes of general membership meetings in newsletter.

    4. Encourage committee chairs to submit to the board written reports of their committees’ works in the newsletter at least annually (Committee: entire board).

    5. Recommend that the president appoint a board member to every committee (Committee: entire board).

    6. Designate an event at the convention that brings together board, staff, and members (Committee: Convention).

    7. Expand web site to include information about HCA’s policies for members and the general public (Committees: Technology and entire board).

VII. Personnel

The Heisey Collectors of America through the Board of Directors will provide highly skilled and qualified staff to ensure that its mission is accomplished.

  1. Maintain job descriptions and personnel policies for staff

    1. Obtain sample job descriptions and personnel policies from similar organizations (Committee: Executive and HCA Secretary).

    2. Review existing job descriptions (Committee: entire board).

    3. Review existing personnel policies (Committee: Employee Handbook and Executive).

      • Include employee evaluations.

      • Include hiring procedures.

    4. Recommend changes to job descriptions and personnel policies as needed (Committee: Employee Handbook and Executive).

  2. Provide opportunities for staff development

    1. Provide at least annual evaluations for paid employees (Committee: Executive).

      • Curator and Business Manager will evaluate staff they supervise.

      • President, with the help of the executive committee, will evaluate the Curator and Business Manager.

    2. Budget for and encourage continuing education and professional development (Committee: Budget and HCA’s president and treasurer).

    3. Provide reference resources for staff (an example would be reference materials and books for staff use) (Committee: Executive and museum staff).

  3. Develop an internship program at the National Heisey Glass Museum

    1. Identify possible internship projects (Committee: Chairs of appropriate committees* and museum staff).

      1. Prioritize projects.

      2. Determine length of projects.

      3. Determine supervisor for projects.

        4. *Appropriate committees include, but are not limited to Acquisitions, Archives, Museum, Technology, etc.

    2. Identify appropriate sources of interns (Committee: Chairs of appropriate committees and museum staff).

      • Determine intern’s availability and the requirements the intern must meet according to his/her school or agency.

    3. Research potential funding for internship program (Committee: Chairs of appropriate committees and museum staff).

    4. Implement internship program (Committee: Chairs of appropriate committees and museum staff).

  4. Create and develop a volunteer program for the National Heisey Glass Museum.

    1. Identify volunteer tasks (Committee: Chairs of appropriate committees and museum staff).

    2. Investigate other organizations’ volunteer programs (Committee: Chairs of appropriate committees and museum staff).

    3. Develop volunteer policies (Committee: Chairs of appropriate committees and museum staff).

      • Create volunteer job descriptions.

      • Record hours donated by volunteers and monitor other specifics about the program.

      • Seek feedback from volunteers about the program.

    4. Develop volunteer recognition program (Committee: Chairs of appropriate committees and museum staff).

    5. Develop volunteer training and orientation program (Committee: Chairs of appropriate committees and museum staff).

    6. Recruit volunteers (Committee: Chairs of appropriate committees and museum staff).

      • Identify sources of volunteers.

    7. Initiate volunteer orientation and training program (Committee: Chairs of appropriate committees and museum staff).

Some reminders to all committees and members:

1. All committee recommendations must be approved by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee before implementation.

2. No committee shall obligate HCA or the National Heisey Glass Museum financially or otherwise without the approval of the Board of Directors.

3. All expenses shall be approved individually by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee.