The Museum

RHPS Members

There are multiple ways to be involved as a Reitz Home Preservation Society member. By serving on a RHPS committee, members are able to make an impact on the day-to-day Reitz Home Museum operations and community involvement. For additional information, please contact us today by email, information@reitzhome.com, or by phone, (812) 426-1871.

Executive Committee

  1. Review and revise committee structure and functions.
  2. Serve as Personnel Committee.
    1. Review personnel policy manual annually.
    2. Conduct annual performance review of Executive Director.
    3. Review staff job descriptions and revise as necessary.
    4. Evaluate staffing needs.
  3. Act on behalf of Board of Trustees between regular Board meetings or in emergency situations.
  4. Review and revise long-range plan.

Bylaw Committee

  1. Review bylaws.
  2. Revise, as needed.

Building & Grounds Committee

  1. Maintain exterior, interior and grounds of Museum and Carriage House.
  2. Assist with budget preparation by preparing annual estimates for maintenance, restoration and repair.
  3. Obtain estimates, review bids and oversee restoration projects.
  4. Prepare financial information for grants for building and ground projects.
  5. Prepare and implement annual maintenance schedules.
  6. Educate staff, volunteers and Board on disaster plan.
  7. Review disaster plan annually.

Curatorial Committee

  1. Maintain furnishings of Reitz Home Museum.
  2. Work with Events Committee to coordinate thematic/exhibit plan.
  3. Set up exhibits as outlined by Events Committee.
  4. Research and acquire original Reitz home furnishings.
  5. Coordinate collection inventory with staff.
  6. Adhere to Collection Management Policy.
  7. Maintain photographic records of collections.

Development and Endowment Committee

  1. Prepare and implement plan for Reitz Home Museum endowment.
  2. Prepare long-range financial development plan.
  3. Seek underwriting for events in cooperation with Events Committee.

Docent Committee

  1. Recruit, train and manage docents.
  2. Review, evaluate and revise docent script, as necessary.
  3. Develop and present educational programs with the docents.
  4. Develop hospitality program.

Education Committee

  1. Organize monthly programs for "Sharing Our Past Series" to appeal to a wide segment of the community.
  2. Implement the programs.
  3. Evaluate the programs
  4. Collaborate with community organizations with developing and implementing educational programs for adults and students.
  5. Cooperate with Arts organizations in their marketing and educational programming.
  6. Work with the Staff for continued involvement in local schools; especially the living history tours.

Children's Education Committee

  1. Recruit committee members.
  2. Work with the local school corporations for appropriate involvement.
  3. Seek funding for additional programs
  4. Continue the Ghost Stories program in collaboration with Middle and High School area students.
  5. Market the Manners & Etiquette program to the community.
  6. Increase the committee

Events Committee

  1. Plan master calendar to include all social, organization and special events (e.g. Educational, Historical, Special Events - Derby, Mystery, Wine Dive, Membership, and Victorian Christmas
  2. Work with Curatorial Committee to coordinate thematic/exhibit plan.
  3. Recruit chairpersons for social and special events
  4. Work with Marketing Committee to insure promotion of all events.
  5. Oversee Ad Hoc Thematic Program Committee.

Finance Committee

  1. Prepare annual budget.
  2. Review investments.
  3. Oversee fiscal operation of the Museum including the budget, finance reports and annual audit.
  4. Assure the timely auditing of the Museum’s finances.

Marketing Committee

  1. Develop annual marketing plan to include marketing research, advertising and public relations.
  2. Implement annual marketing plan to promote museum to local, regional, state and national audiences.
  3. Audit annual marketing plan.
  4. Insure marketing literature is delivered to all community distribution points.
  5. Work with Events Committee to insure promotion of all events.
  6. Distribute M.A.D.E. (Museum Alliance of Downtown Evansville) brochures to all downtown museums, Evansville Convention & Visitors
  7. Bureau, GAGE, Mayor's office and other interested organizations.
  8. Work with Director and organize and implement a Reitz Gazette Newsletter committee.

Membership Committee

  1. Review and recommend corporate and individual membership levels
  2. Organize and implement annual corporate and individual membership campaigns in cooperation with Marketing Committee.
  3. Work with Marketing Committee to insure promotion of memberships.

Museum Shop Committee

  1. Develop annual plan to maximize profit.
  2. Order, receive, inventory, price, display and maintain inventory.
  3. Develop and implement inventory control system.
  4. Train museum shop docents.

Nominating Committee

  1. Procure nominations for Board and Officers annually.
  2. Fill vacancies on Board, when necessary.

Personnel

  1. The Executive Committee performs as the Personnel Committee
  2. Hires the Director and handles the reviews
  3. Works with the Director regarding personnel challenges

Strategic Planning

  1. Maintain an effective 5 year plan and keep the Board informed on the following:
    1. Preservation, restoration, and growth of facilities and collection
    2. Identifying and develop plans to ensure financial stability
    3. Increase and promote public awareness
    4. Maximize the effectiveness of staff and Board of Trustees
  2. Communicate the progress to the Board of Trustees twice a year.

Technology & Automation

  1. Maintain Staff computers and keep the network updated and working properly.
  2. For the efficiency of the Staff seek funding for future improvements.
  3. Develop a user-friendly website for Staff and community.