At the AGM of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation on October 30, 2007 new members of the Board of Governors were named. Tracey Cutcliffe, Deputy Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour announced that Andy Wells and Joanne Schurman had been named to the Board of Governors filling any current vacancies.
A motion passed at the previous AGM had requested that all vacancies be filled on the Board, bringing it to full strength.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Motion 3 -- Passed by the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation at its AGM
Title: Governance Structure and Role of Members
WHEREAS there has been a continuous membership affiliation throughout the creation of the PEI Heritage Foundation in 1970 and this has been a key component and a strength of the organization in providing leadership within the heritage community over several decades;
AND WHEREAS, the Foundation is also a body corporate created by the Legislature of PEI operated by board members who are appointed by government, and functions as a crown corporation with rules defined by governmental authorities;
AND WHEREAS, this reality of a membership organization which is also a crown corporation, can cause issues for members of the Museum especially when the membership is not involved in major decisions made by government or the Board;
AND WHEREAS, successive changes over the years have modified the role of the membership of the Foundation to the point that some individuals who have long affiliation with the organization do not consider it to currently be a membership organization;
AND WHEREAS, others feel that since individual members have played a key role over the decades in development of the Museum, steps should be taken to ensure that members have a meaningful role within the organization in the future;
AND WHEREAS, there is a perception that Board of Governors has seen undue pressure from government to accept proposals and developments that they did not have sufficient input in developing;
AND FURTHER, as recent changes to the by-laws limiting the rights of members to raise new topics and make motions without prior notice at an AGM of the Museum could restrict the ability of the membership to voice the concerns of the heritage community at such meetings, and participate in constructive solutions.
BE IT RESOLVED:
That a study be undertaken to examine the governance of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation and the role of members within the organization in relations to the Board of Governors. The study will examine the rights and responsibilities of members, the role of the Board, committees, advisory boards, staff and members in relation to the fulfilling the mandate of the organization.
The study shall also compare other governance models to determine their strengths and weaknesses, and identify components of other models that might be appropriate for consideration. Recommendations related to means of clarifying roles and improving relations between the membership, the Board, committees and any advisory boards and staff should also be included as well as any proposed changes to existing structures and procedures.
WHEREAS there has been a continuous membership affiliation throughout the creation of the PEI Heritage Foundation in 1970 and this has been a key component and a strength of the organization in providing leadership within the heritage community over several decades;
AND WHEREAS, the Foundation is also a body corporate created by the Legislature of PEI operated by board members who are appointed by government, and functions as a crown corporation with rules defined by governmental authorities;
AND WHEREAS, this reality of a membership organization which is also a crown corporation, can cause issues for members of the Museum especially when the membership is not involved in major decisions made by government or the Board;
AND WHEREAS, successive changes over the years have modified the role of the membership of the Foundation to the point that some individuals who have long affiliation with the organization do not consider it to currently be a membership organization;
AND WHEREAS, others feel that since individual members have played a key role over the decades in development of the Museum, steps should be taken to ensure that members have a meaningful role within the organization in the future;
AND WHEREAS, there is a perception that Board of Governors has seen undue pressure from government to accept proposals and developments that they did not have sufficient input in developing;
AND FURTHER, as recent changes to the by-laws limiting the rights of members to raise new topics and make motions without prior notice at an AGM of the Museum could restrict the ability of the membership to voice the concerns of the heritage community at such meetings, and participate in constructive solutions.
BE IT RESOLVED:
That a study be undertaken to examine the governance of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation and the role of members within the organization in relations to the Board of Governors. The study will examine the rights and responsibilities of members, the role of the Board, committees, advisory boards, staff and members in relation to the fulfilling the mandate of the organization.
The study shall also compare other governance models to determine their strengths and weaknesses, and identify components of other models that might be appropriate for consideration. Recommendations related to means of clarifying roles and improving relations between the membership, the Board, committees and any advisory boards and staff should also be included as well as any proposed changes to existing structures and procedures.
Motion 2 -- Passed by the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation at its AGM
Title: Communication & New Business
WHEREAS the membership of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation is widely distributed and communication is key component of ensuring that members are aware of the activities carried out on their behalf;
AND WHEREAS, the Foundation has responsibilities to provide an annual report to the membership and to the Legislature and to conduct an annual meeting;
AND WHEREAS, recent changes have modified the by-laws of the organization so that
17 (2) Public notice of the annual or any general meeting of the membership shall contain the wording of, and information concerning, any resolutions or motion proposed to be brought before the meeting other than the normally transacted business of the meeting.
AND WHEREAS, the annual report is not provided to members in advance of the meeting and they do not receive regular newsletters updating them on activities of the organization during the year, it becomes a challenge for members to know what motions or resolutions may be required until they have information on the year’s activities in their hands;
AND SINCE, the Board does not provide its report prior to the meeting but members are required to submit their motions in advance of receiving the annual report.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Minister Responsible for the Museum & Heritage Foundation be informed of the concerns of the membership in this regard, and further;
THAT THIS MEETING CONFIRM, that Roberts Rules of Order define the procedures of this assembly and that the category called New Business should deal not only with previously defined items of new business, but also be the period of a meeting in which the floor is open for members to raise matters of business which they may have been unaware of, prior to arriving at the meeting.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board be informed that communication remains an important issue and that all options be examined to ensure that the membership is kept informed on a timely basis of the operations and activities of their organization through newsletters, the Internet, meetings and publications so they remain informed, and can continue to contribute their assistance and suggestions in meaningful way.
WHEREAS the membership of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation is widely distributed and communication is key component of ensuring that members are aware of the activities carried out on their behalf;
AND WHEREAS, the Foundation has responsibilities to provide an annual report to the membership and to the Legislature and to conduct an annual meeting;
AND WHEREAS, recent changes have modified the by-laws of the organization so that
17 (2) Public notice of the annual or any general meeting of the membership shall contain the wording of, and information concerning, any resolutions or motion proposed to be brought before the meeting other than the normally transacted business of the meeting.
AND WHEREAS, the annual report is not provided to members in advance of the meeting and they do not receive regular newsletters updating them on activities of the organization during the year, it becomes a challenge for members to know what motions or resolutions may be required until they have information on the year’s activities in their hands;
AND SINCE, the Board does not provide its report prior to the meeting but members are required to submit their motions in advance of receiving the annual report.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Minister Responsible for the Museum & Heritage Foundation be informed of the concerns of the membership in this regard, and further;
THAT THIS MEETING CONFIRM, that Roberts Rules of Order define the procedures of this assembly and that the category called New Business should deal not only with previously defined items of new business, but also be the period of a meeting in which the floor is open for members to raise matters of business which they may have been unaware of, prior to arriving at the meeting.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board be informed that communication remains an important issue and that all options be examined to ensure that the membership is kept informed on a timely basis of the operations and activities of their organization through newsletters, the Internet, meetings and publications so they remain informed, and can continue to contribute their assistance and suggestions in meaningful way.
Motion 1 - Passed by the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation at its AGM
At the Annual General Meeting of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation, on October 30, 2007 the following motion was passed.
Title: Natural History Mandate & Planning
WHEREAS, bylaw 17 (2) indicates that advance notice of motions is required prior to receipt of annual reports, and it is unknown what reporting will take place at the upcoming AGM under the fulfilment of the mandate of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation;
AND WHEREAS, concerns were raised by members at the previous AGM regarding the lack of mention of activities in the annual report regarding fulfilment of the Natural History mandate;
AND WHEREAS, the previous AGM directed the Board to begin planning for fulfilment of all aspects of the mandate provided in the Museum Act, and to involve the membership in this planning process.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board report to the membership in attendance at this meeting on what efforts were carried out in the last year in these important areas.
Title: Natural History Mandate & Planning
WHEREAS, bylaw 17 (2) indicates that advance notice of motions is required prior to receipt of annual reports, and it is unknown what reporting will take place at the upcoming AGM under the fulfilment of the mandate of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation;
AND WHEREAS, concerns were raised by members at the previous AGM regarding the lack of mention of activities in the annual report regarding fulfilment of the Natural History mandate;
AND WHEREAS, the previous AGM directed the Board to begin planning for fulfilment of all aspects of the mandate provided in the Museum Act, and to involve the membership in this planning process.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board report to the membership in attendance at this meeting on what efforts were carried out in the last year in these important areas.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Provincial museum would give a provincewide perspective
Letter to the editor - The Guardian - July 17, 2007
EARLE LOCKERBY
Darnley
Editor:
Opposition Leader Pat Binns' remarks of regret concerning an artifactory in Murray River ("Decision to pull plug on artifactory 'terribly disappointing': Binns", The Guardian, July 3) confirm what has been transparently obvious all along: the facility was first and foremost a vehicle for "greatly enhancing a rural P.E.I. region", namely his own riding. The benefit to the provincial artifact collection was secondary.
His expressed fear that a provincial museum will threaten the locally-owned community museums throughout the province is both disturbing and indicative of a lack of understanding of the role and purpose of a provincial museum.
Has he ever had a close look at the provincial museums in our neighbouring provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick?
Binns is quoted as stating "in my mind the provincial museum exists through the seven current provincial sites around the province." These facilities, though valuable, in no way constitute a provincial museum. They portray several particular and limited heritage themes, namely shipbuilding, the railway on the Island, the fishery, agriculture, a pioneer community and Acadian culture.
In which provincial facility may one view a portrayal of the Island's musical heritage? Its aviation history? The history of communications with the mainland? The geological and other natural history of the Island? Our aboriginal history and culture? The list goes on and on.
A provincial museum will comprehensively showcase the full spectrum of the Island's rich heritage and culture, utilizing artifacts from the provincial collection, much of which resides in a warehouse known as the artifactory. I believe it is feasible to integrate the existing provincial sites into a proper provincial museum framework such that they play a complementary role to a large centralized facility.
I do not agree with Pat Binns' view that a provincial museum will be a threat to the small, community museums. I happen to be on the board of directors of such a museum, the Keir Memorial Museum at Malpeque, and I can assure him that I do not see our museum as being in any way threatened.
On the contrary, I would expect my fellow directors would welcome a new provincial museum, as I believe would be the case for heritage-minded and culturally-minded Islanders in general.
For the most part, the community museums seek to portray the history of their own immediate areas, not that relating to the Island as a whole
That the Binns government could have been so out of touch with the museological needs of the province is a measure of its failure to consult broadly with Islanders, and in particular with the heritage and culture community.
During the weeks and months following the announcement of a new artifactory at Murray River, several writers of letters to the editor of The Guardian urged the Binns government to take a step back, and to enter into consultations with the heritage and culture community with a view to developing a broad strategic plan for a provincial museum system which would well serve the Island as a whole over the coming decades. This plea fell on deaf ears, as the government was hell-bent on locating a new artifact storage facility at Murray River.
It is to be hoped that Premier Robter Ghiz and Cultural Affairs Minister Carolyn Bertram will begin the process of delivering a Provincial Museum and new artifactory in an integrated fashion, by obtaining the views of Islanders on what is required - and not just the views of the board of directors of Museum and Heritage P.E.I., an organization which happens to be a provincial Crown corporation.
Earle Lockerby has been a director of the Keir Memorial Museum in Malpeque for several years.
EARLE LOCKERBY
Darnley
Editor:
Opposition Leader Pat Binns' remarks of regret concerning an artifactory in Murray River ("Decision to pull plug on artifactory 'terribly disappointing': Binns", The Guardian, July 3) confirm what has been transparently obvious all along: the facility was first and foremost a vehicle for "greatly enhancing a rural P.E.I. region", namely his own riding. The benefit to the provincial artifact collection was secondary.
His expressed fear that a provincial museum will threaten the locally-owned community museums throughout the province is both disturbing and indicative of a lack of understanding of the role and purpose of a provincial museum.
Has he ever had a close look at the provincial museums in our neighbouring provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick?
Binns is quoted as stating "in my mind the provincial museum exists through the seven current provincial sites around the province." These facilities, though valuable, in no way constitute a provincial museum. They portray several particular and limited heritage themes, namely shipbuilding, the railway on the Island, the fishery, agriculture, a pioneer community and Acadian culture.
In which provincial facility may one view a portrayal of the Island's musical heritage? Its aviation history? The history of communications with the mainland? The geological and other natural history of the Island? Our aboriginal history and culture? The list goes on and on.
A provincial museum will comprehensively showcase the full spectrum of the Island's rich heritage and culture, utilizing artifacts from the provincial collection, much of which resides in a warehouse known as the artifactory. I believe it is feasible to integrate the existing provincial sites into a proper provincial museum framework such that they play a complementary role to a large centralized facility.
I do not agree with Pat Binns' view that a provincial museum will be a threat to the small, community museums. I happen to be on the board of directors of such a museum, the Keir Memorial Museum at Malpeque, and I can assure him that I do not see our museum as being in any way threatened.
On the contrary, I would expect my fellow directors would welcome a new provincial museum, as I believe would be the case for heritage-minded and culturally-minded Islanders in general.
For the most part, the community museums seek to portray the history of their own immediate areas, not that relating to the Island as a whole
That the Binns government could have been so out of touch with the museological needs of the province is a measure of its failure to consult broadly with Islanders, and in particular with the heritage and culture community.
During the weeks and months following the announcement of a new artifactory at Murray River, several writers of letters to the editor of The Guardian urged the Binns government to take a step back, and to enter into consultations with the heritage and culture community with a view to developing a broad strategic plan for a provincial museum system which would well serve the Island as a whole over the coming decades. This plea fell on deaf ears, as the government was hell-bent on locating a new artifact storage facility at Murray River.
It is to be hoped that Premier Robter Ghiz and Cultural Affairs Minister Carolyn Bertram will begin the process of delivering a Provincial Museum and new artifactory in an integrated fashion, by obtaining the views of Islanders on what is required - and not just the views of the board of directors of Museum and Heritage P.E.I., an organization which happens to be a provincial Crown corporation.
Earle Lockerby has been a director of the Keir Memorial Museum in Malpeque for several years.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Ghiz must keep promise on museum
Letter to the editor - The Guardian - July 4, 2007
EARLE LOCKERBY
Darnley
Editor:
I applaud the provincial government’s decision to rescind the plans of the Binns government to build a new artifactory at Murray River.
That being said, there remains a critical need for a new storage facility to house and safeguard, for future generations of Islanders, the province’s valuable collection of artifacts which constitute an important part of our heritage. Further ‘patching up’ of the existing facility, which has survived for many years on ‘patch-ups’ and was never designed to provide an adequate environment for the artifacts, can be only a very short-term, temporary measure.
A new artifactory needs to be planned for, and realized, in conjunction with a new provincial museum, and in my view, both should be located in the Charlottetown area and as close together as reasonably possible.
Premier Ghiz has recently made much of the fact that our province is the only one without a passport office. It is also the only province without a provincial museum. True, we do have a number of small, ‘theme’ museums scattered across the Island. Like the spokes and rim of a wheel, these facilities perform a useful service, but what is missing is the hub — a provincial museum. Adequately storing our artifacts is important, but equally important is showcasing them to Islanders and to visitors to our province. Currently, the vast majority of the provincial collection never, or rarely, sees the light of day because we have inadequate facilities in which to display the artifacts and in which to comprehensively interpret the Island’s rich heritage and culture.
A major new display facility — a centrally located provincial museum — along with an integrated new artifactory, are sorely needed in this province. During the recent election campaign, Premier Ghiz promised Islanders a new provincial museum. Islanders expect him to keep his promise.
EARLE LOCKERBY
Darnley
Editor:
I applaud the provincial government’s decision to rescind the plans of the Binns government to build a new artifactory at Murray River.
That being said, there remains a critical need for a new storage facility to house and safeguard, for future generations of Islanders, the province’s valuable collection of artifacts which constitute an important part of our heritage. Further ‘patching up’ of the existing facility, which has survived for many years on ‘patch-ups’ and was never designed to provide an adequate environment for the artifacts, can be only a very short-term, temporary measure.
A new artifactory needs to be planned for, and realized, in conjunction with a new provincial museum, and in my view, both should be located in the Charlottetown area and as close together as reasonably possible.
Premier Ghiz has recently made much of the fact that our province is the only one without a passport office. It is also the only province without a provincial museum. True, we do have a number of small, ‘theme’ museums scattered across the Island. Like the spokes and rim of a wheel, these facilities perform a useful service, but what is missing is the hub — a provincial museum. Adequately storing our artifacts is important, but equally important is showcasing them to Islanders and to visitors to our province. Currently, the vast majority of the provincial collection never, or rarely, sees the light of day because we have inadequate facilities in which to display the artifacts and in which to comprehensively interpret the Island’s rich heritage and culture.
A major new display facility — a centrally located provincial museum — along with an integrated new artifactory, are sorely needed in this province. During the recent election campaign, Premier Ghiz promised Islanders a new provincial museum. Islanders expect him to keep his promise.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Decision to pull plug on artifactory 'terribly disappointing': Binns
Opposition Leader says funding that was lined up for $4.9-million project in Murray River is now lost
The Guardian July 3, 2007
STEVE SHARRATT
MURRAY RIVER — Opposition Leader Pat Binns says the new Liberal government has pulled the plug on a project that had millions of dollars of funding in place and would
have greatly enhanced a rural P.E.I. region.
Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour Minister Carolyn Bertram confirmed last week that the $4.9-million provincial artifactory to be constructed in Murray River has been cancelled and government would develop a comprehensive plan for heritage in the future.
As well, it would “stabilize” the leaking West Royalty Industrial Park building where over 80,000 artifacts of Island heritage are being stored.
“It’s a terribly disappointing decision,” said Binns, who had plans to bring the Canada Tree to the site as an attraction.
“We had all the funding lined up from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and now it’s lost. And if the focus of the new government is to develop a provincial museum, I fear for the more than two dozen community museums around the province.”
The artifactory was a one-year project for the Northumberland Development Corporation which invested $250,000 in land acquisition, demolition and architectural work.
The project was announced earlier this year but drew some criticism that it should be located in Charlottetown.
The Conservative loss in the provincial election killed the project and Bertram said she would work with the Development Corporation to seek other opportunities.
“We met with the minister . . . and certainly got the impression that our cause was quickly evaporating,” said Jamie Richards, chair of the Corporation.
“But we acknowledge their decision even though it was a welcome project that had the community excited.”
Binns announced the project as a way to spread sites of appeal around the province.
The artifactory would have housed the historical items donated to the Heritage Foundation and featured some retail shop space to help improve the downtown centre of Murray River.
“If there is an intention to go to a provincial museum some small ones should be very concerned,” he said.
“In my mind, the provincial museum exists through the seven current provincial sites around the province.”
Binns said the artifactory project was designed to assist both heritage preservation and redevelop a community main street.
“We already had business interests who wanted to set up retail outlets at the site,” he said.
The Guardian July 3, 2007
STEVE SHARRATT
MURRAY RIVER — Opposition Leader Pat Binns says the new Liberal government has pulled the plug on a project that had millions of dollars of funding in place and would
have greatly enhanced a rural P.E.I. region.
Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour Minister Carolyn Bertram confirmed last week that the $4.9-million provincial artifactory to be constructed in Murray River has been cancelled and government would develop a comprehensive plan for heritage in the future.
As well, it would “stabilize” the leaking West Royalty Industrial Park building where over 80,000 artifacts of Island heritage are being stored.
“It’s a terribly disappointing decision,” said Binns, who had plans to bring the Canada Tree to the site as an attraction.
“We had all the funding lined up from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and now it’s lost. And if the focus of the new government is to develop a provincial museum, I fear for the more than two dozen community museums around the province.”
The artifactory was a one-year project for the Northumberland Development Corporation which invested $250,000 in land acquisition, demolition and architectural work.
The project was announced earlier this year but drew some criticism that it should be located in Charlottetown.
The Conservative loss in the provincial election killed the project and Bertram said she would work with the Development Corporation to seek other opportunities.
“We met with the minister . . . and certainly got the impression that our cause was quickly evaporating,” said Jamie Richards, chair of the Corporation.
“But we acknowledge their decision even though it was a welcome project that had the community excited.”
Binns announced the project as a way to spread sites of appeal around the province.
The artifactory would have housed the historical items donated to the Heritage Foundation and featured some retail shop space to help improve the downtown centre of Murray River.
“If there is an intention to go to a provincial museum some small ones should be very concerned,” he said.
“In my mind, the provincial museum exists through the seven current provincial sites around the province.”
Binns said the artifactory project was designed to assist both heritage preservation and redevelop a community main street.
“We already had business interests who wanted to set up retail outlets at the site,” he said.
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