Southeastern Museums Conference
P.O. Box 550746 | Atlanta, Georgia 30355-3246
404/814-2048 | www.semcdirect.net
SEMC Expert Bureau
Requests for presentations
What is the expert bureau?
The Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) is now looking for museum professionals to
serve on its expert bureau. The Southeastern Museums Conference is a networking organization that
serves to foster professionalism, mutual support, and communication. A non-profit membership
association, SEMC strives to increase educational and professional development opportunities and
improve the interchange of ideas, information, and cooperation. The expert bureau is an initiative to
serve the needs of the museum community and offer more in-depth learning opportunities.
Expert bureau presentations provide subject area expertise and practical approaches to museum
challenges. These workshops may be sponsored by SEMC institutional members or state
museum associations in the twelve states throughout the Southeast- Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia,
and West Virginia, plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The sponsoring organization
will cover the travel expenses for the speaker.
What is the selection process?
The expert bureau is now accepting presentation proposals on a rolling basis. Thus, applications can
be submitted year round. The SEMC Professional Development Committee of the Council will
review the proposals, decide which presentations will comprise the new bureau and notify all
applicants.
How is the program administered?
SEMC will promote these programs through the SEMC website www.semcdirect.net and SEMC
e-News announcements. Sponsoring organizations are responsible for promotion of the workshops
in their regional museum community. Interested organizations directly contact the museum expert for
a specific workshop from the listing on the SEMC website. Programs are scheduled at the speaker’s
convenience in collaboration with the sponsoring organization. The sponsoring organization will
notify SEMC when the workshop is scheduled and confirmed with the speaker. The sponsoring
organization will cover the travel expenses for the speaker. The speaker may agree to cover their
own travel expenses for a particular program (i.e. a session at state museum conference).
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must be an expert in their subject area with direct museum experience and a current
museum staff member. Speakers must not only be experts on their presentation topics, but also
skilled in public speaking and in facilitating audience participation.
Proposal Guidelines
Proposals should contain the following:
-Cover Letter: Include your name, home and museum addresses, home and office phone
numbers, fax number and email address.
-Workshop Description: Provide the title and a one-page description of your presentation.
-Resume: Provide a condensed one-page resume. Include information about what qualifies you as
an expert on your presentation topic as well as information about your public speaking
experience.
The SEMC expert bureau is open to any museum-related topic and relevant need. However, we
are looking for submissions on the following topics:
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Disaster Preparedness
Collections Care
Museum Visitors
Museum Education & Interpretation
Volunteer Management
Cultivating Donors and Enhancing Membership
Exhibits for the Small and Mid-Size Museums
Creative Collaborations and Community Partnerships
Management Skills for Non-Managers
Museum Evaluation
Technology
Social Media
How to Apply:
Submit the SEMC Expert Bureau proposal with the required elements: cover letter, workshop
description, and resume via e-mail to sperry@semcdirect.net or via mail to:
Southeastern Museums Conference
P.O. Box 550746
Atlanta, Georgia 30355-3246
Questions? Contact Susan Perry at 404-814-2048 or sperry@semcdirect.net.
Please visit our website at www.semcdirect.net for more information about SEMC Annual Meeting,
resources and events.