"Every time we meet I leave with new ideas."
Participant
- Museums Shops Member
What are Special Interest Groups?
Special
Interest Groups (SIGs) are groups of people working in particular
museological fields who share similar interests and goals.
- SIGs bring people together!
- provide a forum for discussion of issues and ideas
- work for the advancement of their members
- advise MAS on relevant issues and collaborate on advocacy
- plan for the professional development of their members
Each
SIG chooses a leader as its representative and all SIG leaders meet
three to four times a year to discuss issues and ideas common to all
SIGs. As a group, the SIG leaders meet with the MAS board of directors
annually, strengthening the link between the board and its membership.
"People
working in the collections management field feel there is a strong need
to network, if you are not meeting with colleagues it is easy to feel
isolated."
Participant - Collections Management Member
Currently there are 8 Special Interest Groups:
Collections Management
Conservation
Education & Public Programming
Exhibitions
First Peoples
Interpreters
Museum Managers
Museum Shops
What are the Benefits of Participating in a SIG?
- Widen your circle of contacts
- Expand your sources of information
- Alleviate the feeling of working in isolation
- Be involved in the decision-making process for professional development
- Influence MAS action on issues and program directions
- Be part of an organized network of your colleagues
- Increase your knowledge through professional development opportunities
- Have access to inter-provincial programs that connect you with your colleagues in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario
Who Should Join a Special Interest Group?
SIG
members must have a demonstrated interest and involvement in a
particular museological field. SIG members must also be a member of MAS
within six months of joining a SIG or be working for an institutional
member of MAS.
How Do I Become Involved?
All
Special Interest Groups hold discussion groups once or twice a year.
This provides members with the opportunity to network and communicate
with colleagues. Watch for the MAS brochures advertising the discussion
groups or call the MAS Education Manager and ask to have your name put
on the membership list of the SIG in which you are most interested.
"I
see the SIG being not only in a professional development role, but as
an advocate for fundamental policy change within the museum community,
stressing the importance of quality and inclusive interpretive and
educational programs, which should be at the top of the advocacy for
change list."
Education and Public Programming Member
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