AMM 2009 Annual Conference and AGM

Coming This October

The theme for this year’s conference is one that was chosen by our members!

When the conference committee first met it was decided that we’d like the conference to run along the theme of succession planning, and engaging youth, volunteers, and visitors. We didn’t realize how in tune we were with the needs and desires of our members until the little questionnaire, which went out with membership renewal forms, started coming back in. The top three concerns of the majority of the members who responded were the same as we had planned to build the conference around.

Bolstered by the validation of our chosen theme by our members, the conference committee surged ahead and started contacting potential speakers. So far we’ve confirmed five presenters.

Sheryl Kolt, Culture, Heritage, Tourism & Sport will give a keynote address.

Paul Legris, from Parks Canada, will talk about the new computer installations at Lower Fort Garry. Visitors will be able to explore various topics as they move items about by touching the computer screen. These computers can also be updated on a daily basis making them an invaluable tool for the Fort.

James Dykstra has a great way to engage youth without the use of technology; get involved in Heritage Fairs. James, a teacher of grades seven to nine, has been getting his students involved for several years and is now one of the fair’s organizers. He’ll tell you what museums can do to get involved and how it’ll help get young people, your community, and your local schools get to know and involved with your museum.

Sherry Dangerfield of Interpretive Planning will talk about interpretive planning along with a bit of a retrospective on the roots of interpretation in museums and how that has evolved into today’s style. She’ll also talk about what you should consider when planning your exhibits.

Ken Kowalski, A human resource professional, will talk about the differences between people from the different generations and how best to work with and better understand them.

Manitoba Homecoming 2010: a presentation on this ambitious project celebrating the province’s 140th birthday. A discussion on how museums can get involved will follow.

Noreen Mian (Volunteer Manitoba): How to engage the “Y” generation.

Ron Hayes (Centre for Professional Excellence): you can’t plan for the future if you haven’t got a good board. Ron will talk about board recruitment and retention.

There will also be presentations on succession planning and on something that happens, but no one wants to talk about; how to close your museum - permanently.

We are also looking for proposals from anyone who thinks they have a subject, and/or presenter, that they feel will fit in with this year’s conference theme.

The AGM will take place on Saturday, October 3rd, after lunch. A tour of the St. Boniface Museum and la Maison Gabrielle Roy is planned along with a short walking tour between the two, so keep checking this page as we update our plans.

These conferences are opportunities for learning, sharing and getting together with your contemporaries from around the province. If you’ve been to one before you know their value. If you haven’t been in a while, it’s time to consider coming again. If you’ve never been to one talk with someone who has, they’ll tell you how invaluable they are.

A detailed schedule will be posted soon.

Conference Registration

Conference Schedule