The Niagara Historical Society

& Museum

Strategic Plan 2013-2018

4/6/2014 prepared by Sarah Maloney 2

Vision

To be a dynamic and valued part of the community that is dedicated to educating the people of Niagara and our visitors about local history and providing activities that enrich their lives; to maintain the highest standards of museum collections management, conservation and accessibility.

Mission Statement

The Niagara Historical Society & Museum is a team of staff and volunteers which passionately collects, preserves, researches, educates and promotes the history of Niagara-on-the-lake and its communities. We inspire an appreciation of local history through engaging programs and exhibitions.

Values The Niagara Historical Society & Museum values

collaboration

professional integrity and excellence

stewardship

innovation

sharing of ideas and knowledge

being inclusive and welcoming

4/6/2014 prepared by Sarah Maloney 3

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

1. Our collection contains a very good sample of early Canadian history

2. The Society has published extensively for over 100 years

3. Success with community outreach projects

4. Communications with community partners and cultural organizations

5. Good, attractive facility within the Old Town

6. Core of committed members and volunteers with strong expertise

7. Competent staff

8. Name recognition

9. Opportunities for programming and partnerships with community groups

10. Availability and support of talent within Niagara-on-the-Lake

11. Strong local history collection and research base

Weaknesses

1. Some of the textiles (uniforms and dresses) require conservation work

2. Small size of staff

3. Staff turnover risk

4. Space – difficult to have tour groups, programming, in the museum or large

functions onsite

5. Lack of proper storage for collections

6. Lack of knowledge and material culture related to native history

7. Lack of guaranteed funding

8. Outreach to schools is inadequate

9. Passive, aging membership

10. Collection is not fully curated

11. Competition with other “tourist attractions” in NOTL, low visibility

12. Competition with other non profits for donations

Opportunities

1. 100th anniversary of the Great War should provoke the public’s attention on the

topic which could be responded to by exhibitions, publications and events.

2. 150th anniversary of Canada as a country

3. An increased potential for funding for activities and marketing surrounding the

Great War and the 150th anniversary

4. Educational programming

5. Partnering with other cultural institutions

Threats

1. Potential lack of government support for cultural institutions

2. The uncertainty of what Parks Canada and the Federal government will be doing

for the anniversary means that we will be required to be nimble in order not to

duplicate activities

3. Negative impressions of war in general may impact people’s opinion on

commemorating wars

4. The Lincoln & Welland Regiment have been looking for funding for several years

and may be getting closer to open a larger regimental museum on the commons.

5. Increase in the cost of living and travel

6. Vagaries of Town Grant fund decisions

7. Competition for donor funding

4/6/2014 prepared by Sarah Maloney 4

Strategic Priorities for the Niagara Historical Society

1. Increased Financial Sustainability and Capacity

1.1 Increase the Town’s awareness of and investment in the Museum

1.2 Develop a revenue growth strategy

1.3 Implement major fundraisers

1.4 Develop a Planned Giving program

2. Ensure adequate space

2.1 Develop a museum facility needs report (collections, programming, exhibitions etc)

2.2 Complete a feasibility study on the use of our current buildings as well as other options for satisfying the needs assessment established in 2.1

2.3 Develop a collection review and deaccession plan

3. Enhance community engagement

3.1 Expand our outreach programming

3.2 Improve communication to members

3.3 Enhance the visitor experience

4/6/2014 prepared by Sarah Maloney 5

Action Plan

1. Strategic Goal: Increased Financial Sustainability and Capacity

Objectives Activities Steps Responsibility

Date of completion

Projected costs

Potential funding sources

1.1 Increase the

Town’s awareness

of and investment

in the Museum

Annual presentation to

Town Council about the

Museum’s activities and

our needs

1. Create template presentation (key talking points)

2. Analyze Town contribution over the last 5 years in comparison to

expenses.

3. Schedule meeting presentations with Town Clerk

-Staff

-Board of Directors

2014- 2018 0 -

Create a Board Committee

to brainstorm cost saving

opportunities through

Town assistance and liaison

with Town Staff

1. Establish a Board representative, along with staff and our Town

Representative, to meet with Town staff to discuss options

2. Present options to the Board for approval

-Board of Directors

-Staff

2015 - -

1.2 Develop a

revenue growth

strategy

Corporate Membership

Drive

1. Develop a benefit program for Corporate Members

2. Identify possible corporate members within Niagara-on-the-Lake

3. Develop an outreach program

4. Follow up

-Membership

&Development

Committee

-Staff

2015 TBD -

Investigate the feasibility of

a gift shop on Queen Street

1. Meet with possible partners to gauge interest

2. Create a budget to gauge feasibility

3. Research grants that will provide start up funds

4. Meet with potential partners to outline the logistics

-Finance committee

-Staff

2014-2018 TBD Canada Cultural Investment Fund

Phoenix Circle Membership

Drive

1. Inform current members of changes to donation system

2. Identify interested parties within our regular membership

3. Contact those who may be interested in joining

4. Follow up phone calls to confirm

-Membership and

Development

Committee

-Staff

2014-2018 - -

4/6/2014 prepared by Sarah Maloney 6

Create a line of museum

products to be sold in our

gift shop & shops in NOTL

1. Review collection and develop possible reproductions ideas

2. Create a budget

3. Contact potential buyers

-Staff

-Publications

Committee

2014-2018 TBD -

1.3 Implement

major fundraisers

Develop Downton Abbey

Garden Party Event

1. Set up meeting with Parks Canada & Friends of FG to outline

parameters of the event

-Staff 2014 TBD Local

businesses

Adopt an Artefact Program 1. Identify first 50 objects for potential adoption

2. Develop the program and identify the benefits for the donor

3. Develop Adoption package

4. Develop Marketing Campaign

-Membership and

Development

Committee

-Staff

2015 $4,000 -

Collections-based event

(Shortbread & Sherry)

1. Review collections and identify possibilities

2. Identify experts to speak on collection/history of that topic

3. Create a budget for the special event.

-Membership and

Development

Committee

-Staff

2014-2018 $3,000

First World War-themed

dinner

TBD -Membership and

Development

Committee

-Staff

2015 TBD Local

businesses

150th Anniversary of

Canada- Fundraiser

TBD -Membership and

Development

-Staff

2017 TBD TBD

1.4 Develop a

Planned Giving

Program

Communicate Bequest

opportunities

1. Establish proper wording for promotional material

2. Identify communication opportunities

-Finance Committee

-Staff

2014 - -

Communicate Stock

Options

1. Establish proper wording for promotional material

2. Identify communication opportunities

-Finance Committee

-Staff

2014 - -

Set up a special account for

the Giving Program

1. Meeting with the Meridian Credit Union to set up the appropriate

account

-Finance Committee 2014 - -

4/6/2014 prepared by Sarah Maloney 7

2. Strategic Goal: Ensure adequate space

Objectives Activities Steps Responsibility

Date of completion

Projected costs

Potential funding

2.1 conduct a two

part study

focusing on the

future space

needs of the

Museum and how

those needs could

be met by the

Society

Create a Request for

Proposal and award contract

1. Meet with other Museums which have undergone similar

projects.

2. Acquire sample RFPs to develop a museum facility plan

3. Consult with Town Staff regarding development and distribution

4. Create an RFP which provides parameters for applicants

5. Review the applicants and select one company to recommend to

the Board of Directors

6. Upon completion of the facility plan proposal, the results will be

reviewed and endorsed by the Board of Directors

-Staff

-Physical Plant &

Planning committee

-Board of Directors

2015 $25,000 Fundraising

Canada

Cultural

Spaces Fund

Review Needs Assessment

and Feasibility Report

1. Board of Directors to review the final report on future needs of

the museum and the options for meeting those needs.

2. Costs of each option to be established for comparison purposes

3. Review potential partnerships within the community.

4. Society member and community consultation session on the

options for meeting our space requirements.

5. Board discussion to be held on the options presented.

6. Decision to be finalized.

-Staff

-Plant and

Planning

Committee

-Board

Of Directors

2015 - -

2.3 Develop a

collection review

Collections Policy Review 1. Present current policy to the Collections committee (CC) for

review.

2. Changes will be recommended to the Board of Directors.

-Staff

-Collections

Committee

2014 NA

4/6/2014 prepared by Sarah Maloney 8

and deaccession

plan

Develop a collections review

process and evaluation

chart

1. Establish a process with which to assess the use, value,

significance and preservation capabilities of items in our

collection.

2. Develop a simple chart system to follow and grade the artefacts

3. Conduct the review process location by location in the storage

rooms. If necessary, bring in volunteer consultants to assist.

4. Tabulate results and present to the CC to review and provide

recommendations.

-Staff

-Collections

Committee

-Board of Directors

2018- ongoing - -Museum

Assistance

Program

Conduct deaccessioning

process

1. Develop a communications document about the deaccessioning

process and its necessity to distribute to the membership.

2. Once objects have been identified for possible deaccession during

the collections review, the CC will recommend a method of

disposal.

3. Process the deaccessions through the records system.

4. Find an appropriate home for the object in a similar institution or,

if necessary, send the items to an auction house.

5. All proceeds will be added to the Collections budget.

-Staff

-Collections

Committee

-Board of Directors

2018- ongoing TBD

4/6/2014 prepared by Sarah Maloney 9

3. Strategic Goal: Enhance community engagement

Objectives Activities Steps Responsibility

Date of completion

Projected costs

Potential funding

3.1 Expand our

outreach

programming

“Pop up” events in the

community

1. Explore possible locations in community.

2. Develop partnerships with community organizations.

3. Acquire ideas from partners about the best options for events.

4. Develop event in partnership with the local organization.

-Staff

-Membership and

Development

Committee

2018

(ongoing)

2,500

(annually)

-Sponsorship

Offsite mini exhibitions 1. Explore possible locations in Niagara-on-the-lake where a mini

exhibition could be mounted temporarily.

2. Research possible themes that relate to the location.

3. Mount exhibition.

-Staff

-Board of Directors

2018

(ongoing)

$3,000 -Sponsorship-

depending on

the theme of

the exhibit.

Conduct annual cemetery

tours in September at

various sites within Niagara-

on-the-Lake.

1. Research tombstones in various cemeteries in Niagara-on-the-

Lake

2. Develop a script based on the individuals buried at the site.

3. Cast volunteers to portray Niagara’s residents.

-Staff

-Membership and

Development

Committee

2014-2018 $2,500

annually

$12,500 for

five years

-Sponsorship-

Local funeral

homes?

Insurance

companies?

3.2 Improve

communication to

members

Review the Museum

Chronicles format for

improvement

1. Staff and the Publications Committee will meet to review

potential format changes to the newsletter.

-Staff

-Publications

Committee

December

2013

$0 -

Promote email

communication with our

members

1. Add a note about email communication on membership forms

2. Promote email communication at museum events and in the

newsletter

-Staff

-Board of Directors

2014 $0 -

4/6/2014 prepared by Sarah Maloney 10

Promote Museum’s social

media and our website to

members as a way to

receive event information

and to learn more about

the collection

1. Mention the benefits of following the museum on social media at

events.

2. Article in the newsletter about social media activities.

3. Include social media graphics on rack cards and posters.

Staff

Board of Directors

2014 $0 -

Develop additional

Members-only event where

we can update on the

coming events or Society

plans for the year.

1. Explore options for a social event in the Spring or Fall where

members can interact and learn about what is new in the

museum

-Staff

-Membership and

Development

Committee

2014 $1,000 -

Write a publication on the

beginning of the Niagara

Historical Society

1. Conduct research in the Society files

2. Develop a framework for the publication

3. Write a draft to be reviewed by the Publications Committee

-Staff

-Volunteers

2018 Developme

nt costs are

$0

-

3.3 Enhance the

visitor experience

Create an Audio/Visual

experience for visitors

1. Identify key themes in our history that the video would focus on.

2. Develop a script

3. Explore options of where the video(s) could be displayed within

the current galleries.

4. Develop short clips on each of the topics identified.

-Staff 2014

(15%)

$80,000 -Donation

-Grants

-Niagara

Community

Foundation

Historical Movie nights at

the Museum

1. Explore the feasibility of using certain locations within the

museum to show heritage movies.

2. Develop a movie series plan that identifies possible dates,

content, and a needs assessment to produce the event.

-Staff

-Membership and

Development

Committee

2014 $2,500 -Sponsorship

Increase the number of

professional staff at the

Museum

1. Staff and the Finance Committee will meet and explore options

for hiring another staff person.

-Staff

-Finance Committee

-Board of Directors

2015 $10,600 -Museum

budget

4/6/2014 prepared by Sarah Maloney 11

“Picture This!” –showing off

the Museum’s collection

while educating on the

history of Niagara.

1. Research photographic, artwork and archival material to develop

themes for each event

2. Develop an event plan.

-Staff

-Membership &

Development

Committee

2016 1,500 Sponsors

Repoint the Society

historical markers around

the community

1. Examine which historical markers require work from the report

conducted in 2010.

2. Re-install plaques on markers where text is no longer visible.

3. Upload the marker locations to our website.

Staff 2015

IN PROGRESS

$10,000 -Foundations

-Private

sources

Develop 5 years of

temporary exhibitions for

Memorial Hall

1. Develop a 2 year exhibition around First World War: 2014: “The

Art of War” February-September; 2015: “Life Under Canvas”

2. Develop an exhibition on Hotels: September- December 2014

3. Develop an exhibition on the 60th Anniversary of the World Boy

Scout Jamboree in Niagara (fall 2015-winter 2016)

4. Develop an exhibition on Niagara’s Founding Families (summer

2016)

5. Develop an exhibition for the 150th anniversary of Canada in 2017

6. Develop an exhibition for the Polish Soldiers in 2017

7. Develop an exhibition on the historic homes in Niagara in 2018

Staff

2014-2018 $3,000 -

$10,000

annually

-Federal and

provincial

grants

-Private

sources

-Foundations

-Society

budget

-Legacy Fund

(Heritage

Canada)

Develop a theatrical

presentation centered

around the First World War

period in Canada

1. Research First World War period scripts

2. Produce a series of theatrical presentations for members and

visitors on the military and domestic side of the war.

Staff

2014-2015 2,000 -Sponsorship

-Grants