US/ICOMOS STRATEGIC PLAN

On July 15, 25 of our members met to discuss the future of the organization. Our facilitator, Ellen Cull, guided us throughout the day. We started by talking about our vision of what we would like to see happen in international preservation and where US/ICOMOS fits in. We considered world trends, opportunities and challenges which are part of the environment in which US/ICOMOS operates. We then talked about US/ICOMOS's niche and considered what other organizations are working to help achieve our vision, their advantages and ours. Finally four policy issues were reviewed: who our members should be, under what circumstances US/ICOMOS should be an advocate for preservation overseas, the relationship between US/ICOMOS and our parent organization, and the appropriateness of US/ICOMOS working on particular preservation projects. A summary of the meeting is available.

It was a stimulating day and many of the participants believed that it was the most productive day of discussing US/ICOMOS that they had ever had. We worked both in small groups and large. I believe everyone felt they had had an opportunity to participate fully. Our thanks to all the members who attended and to those who were unable to attend but who sent in comments in advance. Particular thanks to Arlene Fleming who collated the written comments received, and to Loretta Neumann who hosted a pot luck dinner at the end of the day.

On August 15, the strategic planning and executive committees met with Ms. Cull to discuss next steps and plan for the next meeting, an all-day meeting (8:30 am to 4:00 pm) at the Tremont House in Boston on October 29 during the National Trust annual conference (Registration Form below). All US/ICOMOS members are urged to attend that meeting and to participate in the further development of the strategic plan. In advance of the October 29 meeting a draft statement of mission and goals has been developed by a working group consisting of Ann Webster Smith, Gustavo Araoz, Arlene Fleming and Roy Eugene Graham. Their statement follows. The statement is a draft, not carved in stone and it is hoped that all US/ ICOMOS members will take part in the October 29 meeting in order to participate in the review and possible revision of the draft mission and goals statement. If you cannot attend but wish to comment, please write or call Arlene Fleming (Cultural Resource Management Consultant, 9122 Maria Avenue, Great Fall, VA 22066; tel: 703-759-3701, fax: 703-759-6671; e-mail: hfleming@vita.org).

At the October 29 meeting, we will finalize the mission and goals statement and begin the development of a series of priority actions to implement our goals during the next five years. This is your opportunity to contribute to the definition of the future of US/ICOMOS. Please attend or let us have your comments.

Other US/ICOMOS events at the National Trust conference are the US/ICOMOS Breakfast on Friday, October 28 (tickets required), the US/ICOMOS session on "International Preservation: Getting into the World Picture," also on Friday at 3:00 pm, and the US/ICOMOS benefit, the Boston Tea Party, on Saturday, October 29 (tickets required). See the flyer insert with this newsletter.

Samuel N. Stokes
Chairman, Strategic Planning Committee

DRAFT GOALS STATEMENT: U.S. NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF ICOMOS

US/ICOMOS, the U.S. National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, is a membership organization of preservation professionals, practitioners and supporters committed to the protection, preservation and conservation of the world's cultural heritage. The organization provides and facilitates activities including education and training, information exchange, technical assistance and advocacy.

GOALS(not listed in priority order)

INTERNATIONAL
GOAL I. To develop national and international awareness and concern about the importance of the world's heritage and its preservation.

GOAL II. To participate in national and international efforts to preserve and conserve the world's cultural heritage and to cooperate and collaborate with other organizations toward that end.

GOAL III. To ensure the highest quality of professionalism for efforts to preserve the world's cultural heritage.

GOAL IV. To develop and expand the base of intellectual and financial resources committed to preservation.

GOAL V. To become an integral part of international professional networks, especially through ICOMOS' National and International Specialized Committees.

GOAL VI. To play a significant role in ICOMOS and the US exercise of responsibilities for the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, the 1954 Hague Convention [1] and other conventions and agreements relating to the cultural heritage.

EXCHANGES
GOAL VII. To foster the broadest national and international exchange of information and expertise among preservation professionals, practitioners and supporters.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING
GOAL VIII. To increase the quality of preservation skills, understanding and commitment through education and training.

ADVOCACY
GOAL IX. To advocate preservation at the international level.

GOAL X. To further acceptance, understanding and promotion of principles set forth in international preservation standards.

GOAL XI. To inform and improve public and private corporate policies, practices and activities affecting the protection and preservation of the cultural heritage.

GOAL XII. To increase visibility, serve as a spokesman and assist the U.S. Government on international preservation issues including those relating to international conventions and agreements affecting the cultural heritage.

MEMBERSHIP
GOAL XIII. To expand and facilitate membership and participation for the broadest range of professionals, practitioners and supporters in US/ICOMOS and ICOMOS and in their national and international activities.

GOAL XIV. To foster and promote the image of US/ICOMOS as the venue for participation in international preservation activities.

AN EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION
GOAL XV. To develop a well-funded, effective, dynamic and proactive organization that is visible and highly regarded, as well as responsive to the concerns of its membership.

[NOTE 1] The 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972 World Heritage Convention) and the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954 Hague Convention).

MEMBERS' SUGGESTIONS ARE INVITED FOR 1995 NOMINEES AS US/ICOMOS TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

As a fundamental step toward the implementation of the Strategic Planning Process which has been undertaken this year and which will be finalized at the December Board meeting, all the current Officers and Trustees were asked at their meeting on February 11, 1994, to serve only one more year, to provide the opportunity for a complete restructuring of the Board of Trustees tailored to the decisions of the final Strategic Plan, with the understanding that they are eligible to be renominated and reelected in 1995. Thus, instead of the usual expiration of only 4 or 5 Trustee terms, all 14 Trustees and 4 Officers will be elected in January.

In considering their suggestions as to nominations, US/ICOMOS members may wish to review Chairman Fowler's message, "1993 US/ICOMOS Annual Meeting and Report on Activities," published in the January-February 1994 Newsletter, and the documents, "Review of US/ICOMOS Goals, Programs and Operations" and "US/ICOMOS Mission Statement," distributed prior to the July strategic planning meeting.

As stated by Chairman Fowler concerning the Board: "The report identifies a need to bring new members and Officers onto the Board, with specific recommendations regarding their qualifications. While this cannot happen over night and, indeed, should not until the future direction of the organization is better defined, important steps can be taken now.

Proposal for Action: The slate of Officers, all of whom are up for election this year, should introduce new members to leadership positions while drawing on experienced Board members for continuity and insight. Likewise, the available seats on the Board should be filled with consideration to the recommendations of the Steering Committee. Recognizing the opportunity to reshape the organization over the next few years, US/ICOMOS should undertake a studied revision of its bylaws as they relate to Board composition and terms and consider the 1995 annual meeting to provide an opportunity for reconstitution of the Board and its Officers as needed to conform with reviewed bylaws and the directions of the strategic planning effort."

During the Strategic Planning meetings thus far a consensus on major qualifications of Trustees and Officers has emerged, as follows:

General Qualifications

• A. Demonstrated interest in US/ICOMOS and the preservation of the international cultural heritage.
• B. Extent of experience in managing or influencing the management of a commercial educational, professional or other enterprise -- nonprofit or otherwise -- with responsibility for conducting business affairs or programs and managing assets, both tangible and intangible.
• C. Working knowledge of the financial structures and the means by which nonprofit organizations customarily conduct their business affairs.
• D. Ability to creditably represent US/ICOMOS in public forums dealing with US/ICOMOS matters.
• E. Close relationships with other public and private institutions in this and related fields.
• F. Significant national and international professional connections.

"Many people recommend a board made up of one-third affluent people, one-third volunteers and one-third professionals -- the three Ws: wealth, work and wisdom. Ideally, a board member should be someone who:

1. Is committed to the mission of the organization.
2. Raises money for the organization; that is, this person asks others for money and gives according to his or her means.
3. Is recognized by the people in the organization for his or her honesty, enthusiasm, courage and common sense.
4. Attends meetings regularly.
5. Is willing to work hard.
6. Knows about the issues, the problems and the solutions.
7. Commits himself or herself for a complete term of office.
8. Recruits new members and helps each one find a place in the group.
9. Believes in democracy and majority rule. Enthusiastically supports the group's decisions, even when he or she is on the losing side.
10. Wants to serve on the Board.

To this we add the two Gs: geographic and gender diversity.

Elliott Carroll, FAIA

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STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING

______ I plan to attend the October 29 meeting.

_______ Please send me a summary of the July 15 meeting.

NAME ____________________________________________________________

ADDRESS _________________________________________________________

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