October 14, 2005

ACM NEWS

New ACM Web Features
We've added new ways to network with colleagues and promote your museum on the ACM Web site including:
-ACM Message Board: Talk with ACM Members and Staff
-Museum Calendar: Post Exhibit Info for the General Public
-Museum Jobs: Find or Post a Position

You'll find quick links to these and many other features on the ACM homepage under the heading "Attention Members."

To access the ACM Message Board, please follow these step-by-step instructions.
-Visit: www.childrensmuseums.org/members_only/MessageBoard/
You can also find the Message Board on the Membership header drop-down menu.
-Enter the Member's Only Username and Password.
It's that easy! You've found the Message Board!

The first time you visit the Message Board, you will need to register as a user. Here's how:
-Go to the Message Board.
-Click on the gray-shaded "Join" link located at the top right hand corner of the page.
-Fill in the online registration form; you will need to create your personal Username and Password (These items must be unique; DO NOT enter in the Members Only Username and Pass)
-Click "Create User"
Congratulations you've registered and created a personal account!

You're now ready to participate in a Message Board discussion. Here's how to get started:
-From the logon page, you select from the drop down menu a discussion to view and post comments.
-In the General Discussion area, you can view all of the most recent posts.
-To view a response, click on the title of the posted response.
-To add a response, click on the "Post" icon at the upper left-hand corner of the thread. You will then be able to write subject and message text. Click "Post" at the bottom of the page to complete the action.
Now you're talking!

Please Note: Each time you want to use the Message Board, you will need to logon: first to the using the Members Only information, then using your personal Username and Password. Keep these Usernames and Passwords handy.

Museum Calendar: Post Exhibit Info for the General Public
www.childrensmuseums.org/visit/calendar.htm
To submit information use the online template form in the Members Only section.
www.childrensmuseums.org/members_only/post_to_museum.htm

Museum Jobs: Find or Post a Position
www.childrensmuseums.org/programs/employment.htm
Members can post one (1) job free per year; additional postings are $25 each. Internship positions are free.

Katrina Fund Update
As you know, ACM established a Katrina Fund to benefit ACM Museum Members affected by the Hurricane. As of October 14, 2005, we have received more than $1,500 in total donations.

Many thanks to:
-DuPage Children's Museum (Naperville, IL)
-Port Discovery, the Children's Museum in Baltimore (MD)
-Strong Museum (Rochester, NY)
-And individuals in the museum community

ACM will accept contributions through June 30, 2006, to help rebuild Lynn Meadows Discovery Museum (Gulfport, MS) and Louisiana Children's Museum (New Orleans). One hundred percent of contributions will be distributed directly to the museums; ACM will donate all administrative expenses.

To make a tax-deductible contribution, send a check made payable to:
Association of Children's Museums
1300 L St., NW, Suite 975
Washington, DC 20005

In the memo portion of the check, please indicate "Katrina Fund." ACM will provide a receipt for all donations. All contributors will be acknowledged in the ACM 2006 Annual Report.

OPPORTUNITIES

Contribute to the next Hand to Hand
The winter issue of Hand to Hand will present stories about the museums most effected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In addition, the issue will focus on disaster preparedness in general and what museums should do to prepare for recovery. If you would like to participate, please respond to the following
questions:

1. Where is your museum located and what, if any, particular natural disasters is your region susceptible to?
2. Does your museum have a disaster plan? If so, what does it contain?
3. Has the plan ever been activated? Describe the circumstances and the results.
4. How have the recent catastrophic weather events in Louisiana and Mississippi affected your museum and future planning?

Please reply directly to Mary Maher, Editor, Hand to Hand, mmaher2049@aol.com or 434 295-7603.

CLASSIFIED

Please note
Job listings will no longer appear in E-Updates or in the ACM Forum. Be sure to take a look at ACM new online Job listings:
www.childrensmuseums.org/programs/employment.htmM Member Discount Program

ACM WELCOMES A NEW AFFINITY PARTNER

Discount School Supply
For the past 20 years, Discount School Supply has served as a leading developer, manufacturer and retailer of educational products for childcare programs, preschools, elementary schools and museums. The catalog now offers 14 categories of products ranging from arts and crafts materials, school supplies and educational toys to furniture. The company's mission is to help further children's education and to provide educators and parents with high quality products, services and resources. Discount School Supply has been an ACM Corporate Supporter since January 2004 and became ACM's first Corporate Leader in September 2005.

As an ACM Affinity Partner, Discount School Supply will offer ACM members a 10% discount and special freight terms on all items in its catalog. Members should site the source code, "MUSEUMS," to activate the discount when ordering. This members-only discount applies to all items in the Discount School Supply catalog, including the company's proprietary line of versatile art materials, Colorations, and its popular Liquid Watercolor and Biocolor paint products.

To request a catalog or place an order, contact the customer service department by phone at (800) 627-2829 or by fax at (800) 879-3753. ACM's Accounts Manager is Barbara Wolfmueller. To order online, visit www.discountschoolsupply.com.

ACM's Affinity Partnership Program is designed to identify and extend money-saving opportunities to members. For more information on this program, visit the Membership/ACM Bulletin Board area of the ACM Web site and choose, "Member Discounts." For help accessing this members-only area, contact ACM at
(202) 898-1080.

All E-Updates are available online. We welcome member contributions: press clippings, travel exhibit information, major announcements. Please forward all materials for the E-Update and for ACM Forum to acm@childrensmuseums.org.