11-03-2023, 01:42 PM
MEETy update... Help needed!
Here's a recap of the situation at MEET:
Until 2021 I was embarking on a serious, substantial project to integrate vintage technology and its preservation into a public-facing project of potentially very wide appeal. Because of its educational scope and broad relevance to every human being alive, MEET is capable of attracting funding and resources from far and wide, once it is on a sound footing organisationally and has a track-record of delivering public benefit. It has a governing document, a committee, a collection and a 5-year plan. It is on the brink of registration with the Charity Commission.
Much of its true value is in bringing vintage technology into the public eye and making it relevant outside of enthusiasts' circles, but that very principle is equally of value to the enthusiast community because it harnesses external support for conserving things they themselves enjoy. A footfall of 1000 people over a weekend can provide for a much more substantial, productive and enduring museum than one restricted to the cognoscenti. In 30 years the vintage radio and TV hobby will be nearly dead, unless we take preemptive action to give it new life. MEET is a vehicle for that, and for many other things that have not got a preservation / vintage hobby movement of their own and barely see the light of day even now.
The potential to launch in the originally intended form is in jeopardy due to my illness, which probably gives me between six and twelve months left to live. Although there are others involved with the project, none is in a position to take over the reins as the guiding and motivating force and interim funding source. A forum member recently took the time to come and talk to me about it and offer help, and to work out one approach to raising its profile which we will be pursuing this month. One possible approach is under development. Sam Battle (of This Museum is Not Obsolete) and I are having some interesting planning sessions about integrating the two projects. We are looking at things from both a conceptual level to understand what the objectives of a joint offering would be, and also a practical level at specific buildings, resources needed etc.
We absolutely need to get our skates on though, otherwise for peace of mind and to ensure my family and others do not get lumbered, I am going to have to decommission the project even while it seems to be heading towards success, because I can't risk leaving unresolved challenges. We have set a new notional deadline of June 1st. There's no absolute, inviolable physical limit and things could change in either direction, but there has to be a firm goal. Can we get enough underway by then to reasonably assure the organisation a sound footing? I want to have one last shot at making it national news. We need a press officer. Who can do that job? Who wants the fame and exposure of giving the interviews. Who prefers to work behind the scenes trawling the agents to find our perfect home? There's something suitable for everyone here. Don't be shy.
And don't forget to follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ElectricalMuseum/
__________________
Here's a recap of the situation at MEET:
Until 2021 I was embarking on a serious, substantial project to integrate vintage technology and its preservation into a public-facing project of potentially very wide appeal. Because of its educational scope and broad relevance to every human being alive, MEET is capable of attracting funding and resources from far and wide, once it is on a sound footing organisationally and has a track-record of delivering public benefit. It has a governing document, a committee, a collection and a 5-year plan. It is on the brink of registration with the Charity Commission.
Much of its true value is in bringing vintage technology into the public eye and making it relevant outside of enthusiasts' circles, but that very principle is equally of value to the enthusiast community because it harnesses external support for conserving things they themselves enjoy. A footfall of 1000 people over a weekend can provide for a much more substantial, productive and enduring museum than one restricted to the cognoscenti. In 30 years the vintage radio and TV hobby will be nearly dead, unless we take preemptive action to give it new life. MEET is a vehicle for that, and for many other things that have not got a preservation / vintage hobby movement of their own and barely see the light of day even now.
The potential to launch in the originally intended form is in jeopardy due to my illness, which probably gives me between six and twelve months left to live. Although there are others involved with the project, none is in a position to take over the reins as the guiding and motivating force and interim funding source. A forum member recently took the time to come and talk to me about it and offer help, and to work out one approach to raising its profile which we will be pursuing this month. One possible approach is under development. Sam Battle (of This Museum is Not Obsolete) and I are having some interesting planning sessions about integrating the two projects. We are looking at things from both a conceptual level to understand what the objectives of a joint offering would be, and also a practical level at specific buildings, resources needed etc.
We absolutely need to get our skates on though, otherwise for peace of mind and to ensure my family and others do not get lumbered, I am going to have to decommission the project even while it seems to be heading towards success, because I can't risk leaving unresolved challenges. We have set a new notional deadline of June 1st. There's no absolute, inviolable physical limit and things could change in either direction, but there has to be a firm goal. Can we get enough underway by then to reasonably assure the organisation a sound footing? I want to have one last shot at making it national news. We need a press officer. Who can do that job? Who wants the fame and exposure of giving the interviews. Who prefers to work behind the scenes trawling the agents to find our perfect home? There's something suitable for everyone here. Don't be shy.
And don't forget to follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ElectricalMuseum/
__________________
