NEW!
The recent economic climate has impacted attendance, staffing, budgeting, and myriad other aspects related to the children's museum field's operations. InterActivity 2002 is directly addressing the effects of the economy on the field through the new $urvival $kills track. In this track, participants will share their successes and challenges, and learn from experts about how to cope and strategically position themselves during these difficult financial times. Do not miss this unique opportunity to tap into these crucial resources geared specifically toward you and your museum! The code $$ will indicate sessions affiliated with this track in the final program.

Thursday, June 6

10:30 am - 11:45 am
MORNING SALON:
MAKING A CASE FOR PLAY IN THE CHANGING ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

Non-profit organizations worldwide are pondering the impact of September 11 and the weakening of the economy on philanthropy. Historically, philanthropic giving has increased following a major disaster; however, funding generally shifts from the arts to humanitarian causes. Children's museums play important roles in their communities. How do we best make our case for play in this new environment? This salon will assess the impact of the current economic climate on arts and culture and will discuss how children's museums can bring their unique expertise in informal learning to the funding table when courting investors. Speakers: Sally Osberg, Executive Director, Skoll Community Fund, Community Foundation Silicon Valley (moderator); Claudine Brown, Arts Program Director, Nathan Cummings Foundation; Hilary Pearson, President and CEO, Private Foundations Canada; Carleen Rhodes, President, Minnesota Children's Museum.

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
CONCURRENT SESSION:
STEWARDSHIP THAT WILL WEATHER A STORM

Stewardship involves both relationship building and community building. Maintaining strong relationships with your giving community will help you weather uncertain times. This session details strategies for ensuring that donors maintain loyalty to your institution through the clear skies and the storms. Speakers: Linda Eagen, MBA, CFRE, Senior Associate, Ketchum Canada, President Ottawa Chapter, Association of Fundraising Professionals; Jeffrey Patchen, Ph.D., President and CEO, Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

ROUNDTABLES:
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY-BUILDING YOUR BLOCKS CAREFULLY

Tammie Kahn, Executive Director, The Children's Museum of Houston

SHOW ME THE MONEY-TURNING PROGRAMS INTO EARNED REVENUE

Charlie Walter, Senior Vice President, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
CONCURRENT SESSION:
STRATEGIC PLANNING: BEING PREPARED FOR GOOD TIMES AND BAD

The culture of strategic planning can guide your institution toward visionary goals or allow you to respond immediately, yet thoughtfully, to unforeseen circumstances. Learn successful approaches to developing a culture of strategic planning and how that planning plays an enormous role in a museum's evolution. Speakers: Rollie Adams, President and CEO, Strong Museum; John Durel, Consultant, QM2.

ROUNDTABLES:
WORKING WITH A SKELETON CREW [New]

Margaret Eickmann, Executive Director, Children's Museum 2nd Generation (Portland)

COPING WITH TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES: STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL

Henry Schulson, Executive Director, Creative Discovery Museum

Friday, June 7

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
CONCURRENT SESSIONS:
STRENGTHENING YOUR COMMUNITY VOICE EVEN WHEN THE SKY IS FALLING AROUND YOU

What is the community role of children's museums in times of crisis? What are the leadership challenges with staff, board, and funders? Do we need a new type of "disaster planning" for children's museums? Directors from New York children's museums discuss the impact September 11 has had on their institutions and the broader implications for the field. Speakers: Nancy D. Kolb, President and CEO, Please Touch Museum®(moderator); Andy Ackerman, Executive Director, Children's Museum of Manhattan; Carol Enseki, Executive Director, Brooklyn Children's Museum; Dina Rosenthal, Executive Director, Staten Island Children's Museum.

DEVELOPMENT PLANS: SURVIVING AND THRIVING IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

Learn the five basic elements of an effective development plan that will carry your organization through both fat and lean times. Find out how planning strategically, communicating a clear vision and mission, shaping a compelling case statement, building relationships with your donors, and articulating your development goals all contribute to a vital and comprehensive development strategy. Speakers: Patricia Morris, Director of Development, Children's Museum of Richmond (moderator); Darrell Gregersen, Executive Director of Development, CEO, National Arts Centre Foundation, National Arts Centre, Ottawa.

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
CONCURRENT SESSION:
UNDERTAKING A STRATEGIC MEMBERSHIP PLAN

This session explores the steps required to think strategically about the future of your membership program. From initial data collection to composing future strategies, participants will gain understanding about the strategic planning process through step-by-step examples. Learn the importance of charting past and current performance, using market research, identifying challenges and opportunities and setting attainable goals. Speakers: Leslie Attarian, Director of Development, Please Touch Museum®; Diane Ward, Principal/Designer, Membership Matters!

ROUNDTABLES:
DIVERSE PARTNERSHIPS THAT GENERATE REVENUE

Kim Bowman, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Edventure

FISCAL SURVIVAL SKILLS [New]

Andy Ackerman, Executive Director, Children's Museum of Manhattan

Saturday, June 8
7:30 am - 8:45 am
ROUNDTABLES:
MAKING A CASE STATEMENT FOR PLAY

Mary Sinker, Consultant

FINDING SECURITY THOUGH ENDOWMENT AND PLANNED GIVING
Carleen Rhodes, President, Minnesota Children's Museum

10:30 am - 12:00 pm
CONCURRENT SESSION:
HUMAN RESOURCES: MAKING TOUGH TIMES WORK FOR YOU

Join this open discussion of the sticky business of HR during times of change. Discuss approaches to downsizing and restructuring. Learn survival tactics for motivating, communicating, appreciating, and best utilizing continuing staff. This is a great opportunity for museum professionals to share ideas on how to best use limited human resources in rocky economic times. Speaker: Sandra Kay-Weaver, Vice President of Human Resources, Chicago Children's Museum.