In response to a recent training needs assessment conducted by the Mid-America Arts Alliance in partnership with the Oklahoma Arts Council and the Oklahoma Museums Association, the Sarkeys Foundation is partnering with the Oklahoma Museums Association to meet one of the needs and host an orientation workshop for members of the board of directors and executive staff.  The research indicates too many museum board members do not understand the basic responsibilities of being on a museum’s board of directors. This program will train board members in stewardship, basics of nonprofit management and overall accountability, including how to evaluate sound financial management. The workshop will take place on Tuesday, June 9^th from 10am-4pm at the Sarkeys Conference Center, 530 E. Main Street, Norman.  The cost of the workshop will be $50 for OMA members and $60 for non-members and lunch is included.  Scholarships are available and the form can be found on the OMA website at www.okmuseums.org on the programs and services page.  Register for the workshop online.  The deadline to register is May 29. 

The workshop will be conducted by State Senator Susan Paddack and Diana Hartley, APR, Program Officer at the Sarkeys Foundation.  Senator Paddack, an approved facilitator with Sarkeys, received a BS in Education from the University of Colorado and a Master of Education Degree in Secondary Education from East Central University.  She earned a Certificate of Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ms. Hartley received both her BS and MA degrees in Public Relations from the University of Oklahoma.  Her career spans working as a small town newspaper reporter to working in school and community public relations. She also has extensive non-profit consulting experience.

The education programs and outreach efforts offered by Sarkeys Foundation often focus on planning and governance.  They understand current economic conditions make it even more difficult for museums to compete for donor funding when basic needs are not being met across our state. This workshop is a way Sarkeys Foundation can provide support and resources to museums.  The Oklahoma Museums Association appreciates their support of Oklahoma museums.

Registration form available here.