The UK branch of the International Council of Museums (Icom) claims to be on the path to recovery following financial problems as well as delays in new membership applications and renewals at its Paris-based parent body.
In a letter to members, Nick Poole, chief executive of the Collections Trust and interim chairman of Icom UK, admitted there had been problems with expenditure.
He said that when Icom UK elected a new committee in 2008, its financial position had been “precarious”, causing it to reduce spending to a minimum.
However, Poole said the issue had been resolved and Icom UK was now on a sounder financial footing thanks to measures such as having replaced a colour magazine with an email newsletter.
“It was never our aim to make money,” he said. “We try to make enough to cover overheads, but if we had not taken this action, we ran the risk of Icom UK becoming insolvent within 18 months.”
A discrepancy involving fewer than 20 membership records had resulted in Paris withholding new membership cards. But the issue has now been resolved.
Icom is affiliated to 17 international associations and has 28,000 members in 137 countries. Members benefit from free entry to exhibitions at affiliated museums and can sit on professional committees.
Poole said Icom UK needed to get back on track. “We have had an enormous amount of support from within the membership to sort it out,” he said. “It is important that the UK museum community is connected to the international one. There is a real strength in identifying the fact that lots of people around the world face the challenges we have.”
Icom UK has almost 1,000 individual members and about 850 museum members.
Poole took over his post from Mike Houlihan, director general of National Museum Wales, who is to take a job in New Zealand. Poole will serve until Icom UK’s annual general meeting on 8 June, but said he would seek the post on a formal basis.
“I am standing in June, but I want it to be a free and fair election,” he added. “We also have three or four board positions vacant.”
At the meeting, Icom UK will set out proposals for administration, governance and communication. A part-time administrator to oversee membership applications is also to be appointed.
In a letter to members, Nick Poole, chief executive of the Collections Trust and interim chairman of Icom UK, admitted there had been problems with expenditure.
He said that when Icom UK elected a new committee in 2008, its financial position had been “precarious”, causing it to reduce spending to a minimum.
However, Poole said the issue had been resolved and Icom UK was now on a sounder financial footing thanks to measures such as having replaced a colour magazine with an email newsletter.
“It was never our aim to make money,” he said. “We try to make enough to cover overheads, but if we had not taken this action, we ran the risk of Icom UK becoming insolvent within 18 months.”
A discrepancy involving fewer than 20 membership records had resulted in Paris withholding new membership cards. But the issue has now been resolved.
Icom is affiliated to 17 international associations and has 28,000 members in 137 countries. Members benefit from free entry to exhibitions at affiliated museums and can sit on professional committees.
Poole said Icom UK needed to get back on track. “We have had an enormous amount of support from within the membership to sort it out,” he said. “It is important that the UK museum community is connected to the international one. There is a real strength in identifying the fact that lots of people around the world face the challenges we have.”
Icom UK has almost 1,000 individual members and about 850 museum members.
Poole took over his post from Mike Houlihan, director general of National Museum Wales, who is to take a job in New Zealand. Poole will serve until Icom UK’s annual general meeting on 8 June, but said he would seek the post on a formal basis.
“I am standing in June, but I want it to be a free and fair election,” he added. “We also have three or four board positions vacant.”
At the meeting, Icom UK will set out proposals for administration, governance and communication. A part-time administrator to oversee membership applications is also to be appointed.
