THE COMMON SERVICE MODEL 2.0 PROJECT
Created by COSMA, the Common Service Model (CSM) for state museum associations (SMAs) addresses best practices across all areas of museum association administration: governance, financial stability, member services, communications, and advocacy. The CSM can help all SMAs operate more fully and inclusively in their state.
With funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) COSMA has launched Common Service Model 2.0 to provide additional professional development resources and networking opportunities to empower SMAs to meet these important core function benchmarks for governance, communications, advocacy, member services, and financial stability standards outlined in the Common Service Model.
This three-year project will guide cohort participants through the process of identifying and addressing operational gaps in their SMA.
Cohort participant requirements include:
● Association must maintain current COSMA membership
● Meet (or be actively working to meet) the following operational foundation actions
○ Incorporate and file bylaws as required by state law.
○ Maintain 501(c)3 status and complete required filings.
○ Maintain basic financial systems including bank account.
● Complete pre and post surveys to measure program effectiveness.
● Maintain a Common Service Model Standards Assessment Tracker for their state museum association to show their progress throughout the project.
● Participate fully in programming. We strongly encourage each SMA to commit to the full three years of the project. For some SMAs it will make sense for the same people to participate in all three cohorts. For others, the participants may change with each cohort.
For each phase, participants will receive:
● Access to five sessions of professional development based on the Common Service Model.
○ Phase 1 [May 2026-September 2026] will focus on the Basic and Good standards.
○ Phase 2 [October 2026-September 2027] will focus on Better standards.
○ Phase 3 [October 2027-September 2028] will focus on Best standards.
● Access to five live Q&A sessions based on the Common Service Model.
● Dedicated coaching sessions to help participants assess and document progress.
● Guidance to identify and address operational gaps, create realistic goals, and track progress.
● A library of resources and readings will be available to supplement the webinars.
● Opportunities to build relationships with individuals throughout the country to build a professional network of support.
● Attendance at an in-person convening held in conjunction with the Western Museum Association Annual Meeting. Travel and registration fees will be covered for select participants to ensure engagement in these vital in person programs.*
*As this project is being piloted in the Western museum region (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington) priority for in-person convening funding will be given to SMAs in this region. However, we will also identify some participants from other regions to provide funding to join us for the in-person convening held in conjunction with the Western Museum Association Annual Meeting in hopes we can gain valuable insights as we plan to expand the project to other regions in the future.
Whether or not your SMA is not identified to participate in a cohort, you are still able to join us for all the virtual elements of this project.