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----- Original Message ----- From: "Steven Smolian" <[log in to unmask]> > Sionce the Smithsonian is at leat 30% privately funded (which makes for > interesting "which pocket" problems when dealing with their financial > staff), your suggestion doesn't apply. > > Actually, I see nothing wrong with competing for the best executive for the > job in the open marketplace. Why should a public institution have to settle > for lower quality personnel anyway? Perhaps the issue is in defining "best" > for the search committee and having draconian penalties when they violiate > it. The same holds true for the board. > Major problem here! The private, corporate, for-profit world uses a COMPLETELY different definition of "the 'best' executive" than does the institutional world! The goal of an "institution" (public, private or a mixture) is to maximize the amount of knowledge available in an area...and/or to best impart that knowledge to its "clients." The goal of a for-profit operation (aka "corporation") is to maximize income while minimizing outlay. So, if the Smithsonian (or a similar operation) sends a fully-funded expedition to the wilds of Lower Slobbovia, and returns with samples (or even fossils) of a hitherto-unknown species of tree lizard, the project is considered a success...regardless of whether the cost of said expedition will be recovered by increased attendance and admission charges collection. OTOH, if there were a "Wal-Mart Museum--pay at the door...!" the cost of the expedition would have to be justified by a resultant increase in gross income...to the last cent! I won't go into how much money has been wasted in the "private sector" by arrogant, greedy executives (see under: "Enron"...) but all that does is deprive investors of dividends until the situation has corrected itself. OTOH, if a non-profit organization has spent X-gazillion dollars merely to massage a wannabe-aristocrat's ego...that is money that WON'T...CAN'T...be spent to further the aims of the body! The folks in charge of any museum or similar institution SHOULD be there because they have a strong interest in whatever function the institution performs (like, I should be in charge of the yet-to-be- created "Edison-Berliner Institute For Sound Recording"...!). If they are there simply to add a few more zircons to their ytterbium- plated nine-door limousine-type SUV...neither the function of the institution or the budget of the supporting government/other body will be significantly improved...! Steven C. Barr