38th BAFM CONFERENCE & AGM
23rd-25th September 2011
LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM
CONFERENCE REPORT 2011
Hosted by the Friends of The London Transport Museum
Report by Jennifer Campbell, BAFM Ireland Co-ordinator
We returned to the big smoke of the capital city in its 2011 pre-Olympic buzz. The Conference venue was the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, and the contrast from the bright blue skies and sparkling seas of the Isle of Man to the Dickensian back streets was remarkable. All delegates had their own ‘transport’ – a three day travel card! And the bright blue skies followed us to London in another heat wave.
Following registration on Friday we enjoyed a superb walking tour of Covent Garden, led by David Wadley whose family had been a big player in the market itself. The museum is in the original flower market, and was re-vamped to its present standard in 2007.
A most enjoyable evening reception was held in the Transport Museum itself. Barry Le Jeune, as Chairman of the Friends of London Transport, welcomed delegates. He stressed that the sharing of knowledge was an important goal for the weekend and paid tribute to the hub museums who were also co-hosting the conference. Sam Mullins as Director stressed the huge value that Friends Groups played as part of the ‘Big Society’, particularly in the present difficult economic climate. Geoffrey Williams, outgoing BAFM chairman, praised the hard work of all concerned in organising the conference. A small but important note from appreciative delegates – we have never had such delicious canapés!
Following a welcome from Geoffrey Williams, the conference on Saturday 24th September was introduced by Barry Le Jeune. The theme was ‘Working Together’ - the careful path of mutual cooperation rather than rivalry.
Geoffrey Williams, Loyd Grossman and Michael Fayle
The AGM was again ably and expeditiously conducted by Lloyd Grossman our President. As outgoing Chairman and in the absence of outgoing Treasurer Alan Denney, Geoffrey Williams delivered the Treasurer’s Report. It had been a difficult year and the accounts reflected this, accentuated by the withdrawal of the NFU marketing subsidy which had been a significant source of income. Geoffrey thanked Alan Denney for his past contribution as Treasurer over a lengthy period of twelve years and expressed the Council’s warm appreciation.
Michael Fayle, together with the other nominated en bloc officers, was elected in-coming chairman. He expressed his determination to steer a clear path ahead for BAFM and with a defined and agreed road map to cover the coming three year period. He referred briefly to the strength of the organisation and thanked Geoffrey, the Council and in particular the Regional Coordinators for the hard work and enthusiasm they had brought to their roles.
Presentation of the Newsletter Awards followed. The winner in the ‘Under 500 Members’ category was Helmshore Textile Museum with runners up being Welwyn & Hatfield Museums and The Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery. In the Over 500 Members category the award was won by Dulwich Picture Gallery, with runners up Royal Naval Museum and The Bowes Museum.
An open forum was chaired by Vice Chairman, Susie Dawson who suggested a focus on the following key areas: Communication, Volunteers, the role of Friends in fund raising and equally in lobbying and finally the importance of an attractive Friends membership package.
A scene from Conference
A lively discussion took place on the above and related issues. Friends Groups would welcome and benefit from a broader and more diverse social and ethnic spread, and might also consider whether ‘Facebook’ and Social Networks might draw in younger members.
After coffee, the first Keynote Address was delivered by Stefan Watham, National Community Investment Manager with the National Trust. His job is to build stronger relationships with local communities. The aim was to develop new activities locally, such as bike trails and walks, to bring in new audiences and encourage repeat visits. To be successful, volunteers needed to feel part of the team, with clear points of contact within the management structure. It was up to management to make sure this happened.
The second keynote speaker was Sam Mullins, Director of the London Transport Museum, who dealt with the relationships between the roles of the Board, the Executive team and the Friends organisation. He outlined the advantages of Charitable Trust status for the Governing Board. It benefited the management team to work directly to a dedicated board, with all the advantages of recruiting and building a strong team to deliver clear goals. Museum management felt they derived greatest benefit from a strong independent Friends, which tended to promote creativity. The Director was an ex-officio Trustee of the Friends and regular dialogue was essential. He explained that the museum relied heavily on volunteer commitment to facilitate open days at the Acton Depot and also to run handling sessions.
The final panel session drew larger participation from the floor. The independence of the Friends Group had certainly delivered for London Transport Museum; the advantages of independence were briefly discussed again, with the conclusion that a greater sense of ownership usually resulted in greater contribution both money and in kind. The rallying cry for all Friends’ groups, in relation to their host museum, might be best expressed as ‘stay ahead of their expectations’.
IT (information technology) was discussed and it was suggested that an article dealing with this, perhaps in a future BAFM Journal, might be helpful. Barry Le Jeune thanked the keynote speakers for their relevant and thought provoking contributions.
Finally, Elizabeth Muir-Lewis, from Friends of The Towner, whetted our appetite for the delights of the Eastbourne Conference in September 2012. After two years of spectacular weather in the Isle of Man and in London, she confidently predicted a hat-trick in Eastbourne, which is reputed to be ‘the suntrap of the South’, and the chosen home of Michael Fish – who should know! An attractive conference package was unveiled and the Council hope for a good attendance.
A scene from Conference
After lunch a varied programme of excursions followed. Hard to choose between the Acton Depot, the Geffrye Museum, the Horniman Museum, the Jubilee Line Control Centre, and another three exciting options, with opportunities for repeat visits on the Sunday morning. All were well supported and much enjoyed.
Proceedings were rounded off with the inspired choice of HMS Belfast for the Conference Dinner. A drinks reception on the deck, afforded spectacular views of the floodlit Tower of London and the whole night time panorama of the City of London. An excellent meal followed with Grace said by Fiona Turnbull. Ian Arthurton, Chairman of the Trustees of the London Transport Museum welcomed delegates and introduced Simon Calder, Senior Travel Editor of the Independent. Famously known as ‘the man who pays his way’, Simon led us on an amusing tour of interesting museums of the world. We may not have felt tempted to stay at ‘The McDonalds Hotel’ (his family apparently were less than effusive), and we may not visit Quito for a ‘pint and a fight – a great British Night’, but we might all usefully adopt the mantra ‘we would rather make a friend than a profit’! It was a great tribute to the reason BAFM’s Friends Groups exist.
In conclusion Michael Fayle, our new chairman, thanked Simon Calder, and paid a sincere tribute to Barry Le Jeune and Ian Arthurton for a superb evening and for a very enjoyable conference. He reaffirmed his determination to carry BAFM forward, building on its strengths and refining a clear strategy for the future.
Additional salient points
discussed
at the National Conference Open Forum
by Susie Dawson, Vice-Chairman
Volunteers
This was the focus of a lengthy discussion with many excellent suggestions put forward. Among points were that BAFM should learn from the success of U3A (University of the Third Age) and see volunteering as a stimulating opportunity to learn new things; i.e. part of ‘life long learning’. However the social aspect is important too. Volunteers may have less/little interest in just ‘sitting on committees’.
It is important to match the person to the role. ‘Matching to role’ may not necessarily reflect what they did in their paid working life, people may be keen to move away from what they do/did in their ‘day job’.
Above all, do identify and allocate projects that volunteers can ‘self manage’. This is both more satisfying for the volunteer, it is far less demanding on valuable management time. (Incidentally, the same is true for ‘interns’ too, as in school age, or under and recent graduates on work experience.)
Similarly, be open-minded about the age of potential recruits. ‘Volunteer’ embraces a very wide range – from Patron and President through to the Board, including museum boards. There are examples of quite high profile cultural initiatives being largely run by graduate volunteers – it is a way into paid employment, never so important as in these difficult times where people are staying in jobs, not daring to move, hence openings are scarce.
Experience shows that suitable candidates may need to be approached. They often won’t put themselves forward.
Diversity and Reaching Out to the Community at Large
The profile of Friends will reflect that of visitors to the parent organisation, as its far easier to convert existing visitors to Friends than trying to recruit from the public at large. (Having said that, the RA achieved notable diversity by directly recruiting Friends from selected mail order and subscriber lists.)
Other useful ways to reach new audiences include outreach programmes, conducted by the museum or other local bodies.
One excellent suggestion was to use Facebook as a ‘no cost’ alternative to having a website. Also, to target social ‘glue’ people, those who arrange outings for parties of their friends. Above all, ‘get out more’ seems to be the mantra. Don’t just stay in the secluded surroundings of the museum.
Gift Aid
The Association of Independent Museums’ (AIM) website has up to date advice about this shifting territory, it is vitally important to confirm with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) terms and conditions or risk losing the right to Gift Aid.
Lobbying
Friends are a huge asset in this respect, can raise issues that staff may feel unable to.
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