Associates Advisory

Update from Smithsonian's "New Normal" Committee

Dear Smithsonian Community,

I write to you as we begin a careful return to the new normal with opening the Udvar-Hazy Center and the National Zoo.  As an Institution, we remain committed to the health and safety of our employees and visitors, and the ongoing care of our collections. We are also facing the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racism that impact each of us in unique ways. 

As our Institution begins to move through reopening phases, the Smithsonian’s New Normal Committee continues to meet and work on several goals.  We were charged by Secretary Bunch to consider how the Smithsonian will operate in the time that the museums are open, and before there is a vaccine. He also asked us to think about how the Smithsonian could:

• take bold strategic measures
• envision our institution in a new reality
• help people feel safe and secure
• show why the Smithsonian is relevant especially in difficult times

From the beginning, we have seen opportunities to adapt and improve the Smithsonian and come out a nimbler and more effective organization that continues to be a source of hope and inspiration.

What is the New Normal?

This term is popular and has many different interpretations. For our working group and the Smithsonian, the “New Normal” encompasses the time frame of Phase 3 (partial reopening to the public pre-vaccine), Phase 4 (full reopening post-vaccine), and beyond. We understand that the world has changed radically since March 2020 and that the past can no longer predict or dictate future behaviors.

When will we see New Normal Recommendations?

Originally, we targeted August 1 but that date has been extended to late summer. The robust participation in the staff survey – thank you all! – has given us much to consider. We are just beginning to evaluate the results. Our thanks also to all of you who offered to share your thoughts. Right now, we are in the midst of selecting volunteers to participate in feedback sessions as well as conducting conversations with unit directors and key stakeholders. In case you volunteered and do not get called for this initial round, please note that we remain grateful and are considering your hand raised for future committee endeavors.

What is New Normal working on?

In an earlier communication, we identified our four subcommittees. All are convening on recommendations for these focus areas: 

• Acting as a cohesive organization that leverages expertise across the Smithsonian
• Being nimble and bold in thought and operations that allows SI to adapt quickly to the changing environment
• Knowing our audiences and making strategic, data-driven decisions in everything the Smithsonian undertakes

Our subcommittees are working together and separately on recommendations for these focus areas:

• The role of SI in addressing racial, gender, sexual orientation, and other identity-based divisions through tangible actions and activities (Big Ideas) 

• Leveraging SI's science expertise and trusted brand (Big Ideas & How We Operate Profitably and Flexibly) 

• Expanding SI's role in education by increasing high-value digital content (Big Ideas & The Evolution of Onsite and Digital) 
• Resourcing, building, and leveraging digital-first content (The Evolution of Onsite and Digital) 
• Creating the most flexible 'workplace' possible (How We Work) 
• Prioritizing philanthropy and new revenue streams to allow us to invest in what we do best (How We Operate Profitably and Flexibly) 

We are committed to a better Smithsonian. It is going to take hard work to get there, but we remain confident that together we will continue to fulfill our mission as we have for nearly two centuries.

Many thanks for all of the work you do every day.

Sincerely,

Ellen Stofan

Chair, New Normal Committee

John and Adrienne Mars Director,
Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum

"Share a Smile" Poster Contest for Smithsonian Volunteers and Staff

The Smithsonian Community Committee feels that our colleagues might need a laugh or a smile during these difficult times. The SCC invites you to participate in a “Share a Smile” poster contest.  We invite you to digitally create a poster that will inspire or uplift the Smithsonian Community, or even one that will make us laugh. We hope that these artistic expressions will help lighten our days and bring some joy into the workplace.

 

 

The competition is open to all Smithsonian staff, fellows, interns, and volunteers with a current and valid Smithsonian ID. One entry is allowed per person and should be submitted electronically. Images can consist of photographs, graphics, and words with either vertical or horizontal orientation. The Community Committee will narrow down the entries to ten for the top three entries to be picked by the Smithsonian community at large. The three winning designs will be printed and displayed in staff areas throughout the Institution.

An entry form can be found at https://bit.ly/3jy1y2r

Deadline for entering is August 17, 2020. Top ten will be notified by August 24, 2020.  The top three selected for printing will be notified on September 14, 2020.  

For further information on this message, contact Susan Cary, Archives of American Art, 202-633-7945,

Remote Volunteering: Two Ways to Contribute Your Time and Talent

As you may know, the volunteer program has pivoted to being a virtual experience with our live streamed programs. 30 volunteers comprised the first training class in July, and additional recruiting/interviewing candidates is the priority for the next four weeks. 

If you are curious about how you can volunteer safely from your home computer, and thus gain insider access to our lectures and studio arts courses, here's a remote volunteer position information with all the details about the role these volunteers play and the equipment/time commitment needed.  Contact Jenna Jones at jonesjel@si.edu if you would like to purse this unique opportunity to help the Associates continue during COVID and beyond. 

If providing background support for programs remotely is not your cup of tea, consider attending the short mock webinars, which is a training exercise so that volunteer can practice monitoring the Q&A box and forward some questions and comments onto the on camera Moderator (a staff member.) Attending a 30 minute mock webinar, and asking questions at it is a quick and easy way to support our volunteers and our programming. And you can learn about many things - from Mountain Lions, to Jazz, from Frank Lloyd Wright to Hiking Trails in DMV, from Art Glass to Debussy and MORE. 

You can see the mock webinar dates/times and topics with this Sign Up Genius link. You can even sign up there and you'll receive a Zoom link a few days beforehand. All volunteers will be credited for their hours by bulk shift entries in Vsys at the end of September.

Thanks for your support!

Zooming Our Way Around: Volunteer Meetings this Summer

Hello Volunteers! It has been SO GREAT to have seen so many of you at our weekly Zoom "Check Ins" as I like to call them. Since May 26 we've kept in touch by bringing you newsy updates on Associates operations and featured staff members for volunteer Q&As. I've been delighted to see 50 - 60 volunteers at the Zoom meeting platform each week, smiling, waving, laughing. You remind me of why I like my job - it's the people!  If you've not been able to attend these meetings, it's okay. I send out the PowerPoint slide deck and video recording after each one. Here's who have been featured, feel free to contact me by email: jonesjel@si.edu if you would like me to send you the video link or PPT:

• Heather Jaran - Programmer, Intern Coordinator
• Brigitte Blachere -Family and Performing Arts Programmer
• Fredie Adelman, Director, Smithsonian Associates
• Ruth Robbins, Senior Programmer, Art History, Politics, Culture
• Marybeth Kelley, Director of Programming
• Mïa Vollkommer, Studio Arts
• Customer Service Team: Lorna, Rhonda, Shiconia, Pamela
• Vesna Gjaja - Membership and Marketing Director
• Lauren Lyons - Public Affairs Specialist

On Tuesday, August 4, Programmer Lauren Rosenberg will join us at 10 am. 

Starting in August, these Zoom Check ins will be twice a month instead of weekly. Typically every other week, although I'll be away in mid September, so we will meet Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 10:00 AM and then on Tuesday, September 29 at 10 am. 

All Volunteer Zooms will now follow a Tuesday 10 am meeting day/time, as that was what time worked best in the attendee polls taken at two different Zoom meetings. 

Our Zooms sometimes include polls, or breakout rooms so volunteers can chat together and then reconvene with the whole group. The aim is to make these informative and engaging.

Hope to see YOU in the weeks ahead!

Jenna

 

Welcome, Mïa, the New Studio Arts Program Coordinator

Just as the pandemic hit us, a new staffer joined the Associates – Mïa Vollkommer – as the new Studio Arts Program Coordinator. Kathy is transitioning to being a Programmer for other subject matters. Michael is now Mïa’s right arm and helping her find her way during this crazy time. Here’s a nice message from her:

Dear Associates Volunteers - 

After nearly 18 years of teaching jewelry making techniques for Studio Arts classes at Ripley Center, I have now joined Smithsonian Associates as the Studio Arts Program Coordinator. I've met many of you in the classroom over the years, so I have experienced firsthand the value and knowledge you bring to our programming. 

Here's some "get to know you" tidbits about me, and I look forward to connecting with you at the Volunteer Check-In Zoom on Tuesday, July 14 at 3:30 pm:

• I studied fine art photography at GWU and am now a working Metalsmith, making and selling jewelry under the name 2 dots over the i
•  I've lived in Mexico City, PA, DC, New Orleans (twice!), Iowa City and Salt Lake City
•  I've pretty much always worked in the Arts/Arts Administration
•  I love horror movies, and sewing my own clothes
•  I now live in Baltimore with my 2 cats - Chicory and Roux - and my partner Jason.

Cheers, and again I'm so excited to see you soon!

Mïa (pronounced like "Maya")
Mïa Vollkommer
Program Coordinator, Smithsonian Studio Arts