(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Coalition of State Museum Associations (COSMA) has released its Common Service Model aimed at creating best practices across all areas of state museum association administration. The model seeks to enhance the governance, financial stability, member services, communications and advocacy initiatives conducted by state museum associations nationwide.
COSMA received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to pursue the project, which included a comprehensive written survey and two virtual focus group convenings for the entire state museum association network. These platforms provided fundamental information about how state museum associations function. From there, the grant advisory committee and grant project teams compiled responses and the best practices model.
“The Common Service Model is a major step forward in advancing our state museum associations,” said Linda Endersby, COSMA Interim Managing Director. “We are excited to introduce this valuable framework to our member associations and work together to address their individual challenges and needs.”
The Common Service Model is formatted as a guide divided into five sections including governance, communications, member services, financial stability and advocacy. The best practices are defined in the categories of basic, good, better and best, and each section also includes links to helpful resources, articles, guides and books.
Download a copy of the Common Service Model and learn more at StateMuseumAssociations.org/common-service-model.
“COSMA is also planning a series of resources and programming to assist our member associations with the implementation of the common service model,” said Ruth White, COSMA Program Committee Chair. “Through the Common Service Model and additional resources we hope to provide a universe of options from which each state museum association can choose what is beneficial for their state.”
The Coalition of State Museum Associations (COSMA) is the only national entity whose priority is to serve the needs and aspirations of state museum associations through partnership building, programming and resources. For more information about COSMA, visit StateMuseumAssociations.org or call 682-219-9599.
