Submitted on June 30th, 2015
Submitted values are:
--Section 1: Organization Information-Name of Organization: Coggeshall Farm Museum
Mailing Address: 1 Colt Drive, Bristol, RI 02809
Name of Project Contact Person(s): Cindy Elder
Phone: 401-253-9062
E-mail: c.elder@coggeshallfarm.org
Type of Organization: Private (citizen, non-profit)
If Other:
Description of Organization and Mission: The mission of
Coggeshall Farm Museum is to preserve this 1790s Rhode Island
salt marsh farm. We serve the local community and beyond as a
living museum and vital educational resource through
demonstration of daily farm activity and honest interpretation
that reflects its historical, multicultural influence.
On average, how many individuals does your organization serve per
year? Prior to 2015, the average number served per year was
listed as 8,000. We are now rigorously documenting attendance and
have more concrete numbers this year. Between January and June
30, 2015, we have hosted 4,021 visitors.
How did you hear about the CPC? Arnold Robinson
--Section 2: Project Description-Title of the Project: Employee Training Program
Project Location (Address, City, State, and Zip): Coggeshall Farm
Museum
General Project Description (you may attach a longer narrative if
necessary):
Since its founding in 1973, Coggeshall Farm Museum has faced a
recurring challenge: how to retain talented year-round staff and
attract additional highly effective interpreters during the busy
season, from May through September.
Due to high turnover, staff training has been inconsistent, and
in some cases, relied on the initiative of the staff member to
acquire the knowledge necessary to perform the job well.
This year, Coggeshall has made a deeper commitment to acquiring
and retaining excellent staff. Toward this end, we wish to
develop and document a training program and supporting materials
that will add consistency and relevance to the training process.
We have also instituted an employee review process which is now
underway.
To accomplish improve our training, we must first consider the
nature of the various jobs at Coggeshall. What is the role of
interpreter? What is the role of farm manager? What additional
job classifications should be created for the organization to run
smoothly?
We must also address the challenge of employee communication in
an environment where the entire staff rarely is on site at the
same time. What is the best method of communication? Are full
staff meetings necessary, given the cost of paying a three-hour
shift to all employees participating?
We should consider the different roles and expectations for
year-round staff vs. part-time and/or seasonal staff.
We are currently compiling materials that would be useful in
creating an employee manual (eg., history of site and various
elements of the museum, including heritage breeds, heirloom
garden, historic farmhouse), in addition to compiling policies
and procedures which are in development. We would benefit from
outside expertise to identify missing elements of the employee
manual and training materials/methods which could enhance our
developing training program.
Potential Scope of Work/Tasks for RWU CPC:
* Interview existing employees to determine scope of work and
recommend potential job classifications
* Compare staffing structure with other similar organizations
(nonprofits or living history museums)
* Identify training needs for new and existing employees
* Recommend communication methods suitable for this
organizational structure
* Assist in reviewing and compiling an employee training manual
What will be the final product output for this project? (survey,
website, design plans, drawings, etc.): The final project will be
an Employee Training Program that includes methodology for
training new employees, methods for ongoing communication and
support, and a standardized employee training manual that will be
presented to all new and existing employees.
Proposed Project Schedule (when the tasks/project needs to be
completed): The project can begin in September with anticipated
completion by March 2016. This would ensure our training program
is in place when we begin hiring seasonal employees for the 2016
season.
Please provide the names and contact information for any staff
members or volunteers who will be playing a primary role in the
proposed CPC project.:
Cindy Elder, Executive Director, c.elder@coggeshallfarm.org
What resources/previous work would the CPC be building upon that
you already have completed? (Please select all items that are
applicable):
- Additional organizational documents
- Previous research
What active support would your organization be able to contribute
should your project be selected? Staff time
--Section 3: Project Outcomes-Please describe how this project will benefit your organization
and the advancement of your mission: This project would greatly
enhance the quality of historical interpretation we deliver to
the public by increasing the knowledge and confidence of our
staff. It would also increase job security and team work within
our small but vibrant living history museum. If employees stay
one season and never return, we are constantly recreating the
wheel rather than improving upon our practice. A more
knowledgeable and invested workforce will enable us to better
preserve this historic site by ensuring proper care and
maintenance of historic structures, heritage breed animals and
heirloom plants.The greater our collective knowledge base, the
better interpreters we can be.
Please describe how this project might benefit the overall
community, including specific groups that could benefit from this
project (i.e. target populations, neighborhoods, specific
town/city/region).: Coggeshall Farm Museum relies on quality
interpreters and staff to educate and engage the public and the
growing number of school groups we host every year. We are one
of the few locations in Rhode Island where school children can
experience history in a hands-on way, in an environment outside
the classroom. In addition, our major events and daily visitors
enhance the community by bringing people into the East Bay where
they then discover fantastic restaurants, shopping and other
cultural venues.
Please explain why you have chosen to seek assistance from the
RWU CPC with your project request, instead of undertaking the
project using fee-for-services from a paid professional: We do
not have the budget for a paid professional. We are making
progress on this project, but with a small staff and no
administrative assistance for the executive director, it is
difficult to commit the necessary time. We would like to have
this program ready for next spring, when we do our seasonal
hiring. Furthermore, we would benefit from an outside view of our
organization and a comparison with other similar organizations.
Please describe how this project will benefit RWU students.: This
would be an opportunity to speak candidly with employees at an
organization which is in the midst of change and help shape the
future of that organization. Years from now, RWU students could
look at a more resilient Coggeshall Farm Museum and say, "I
helped to create that."
--Section 4: Financial Information-What is your organization’s annual operating budget? Please
include a copy of your most recent budget with the application in
Section 6..: $215,579
What are your major sources of funding? Donations, Membership,
Admissions, Tours, Events
How much funding from your annual operating budget is set aside
for this project (if any)? Staff time is the only financial
commitment to the project, but payroll is by far our biggest
expense.
--Section 5: Private Sector Involvement-Have you or your organization discussed the project with
practicing professionals (e.g. architect, engineer, planner,
consultants, etc.)? : Yes
If no, please explain why:
--Section 6: Supporting Documents-Budget for the current fiscal year:
https://rwu.edu/sites/default/files/webform/approved_budget_2015_income_statement.pdf
List of current Board members:
Copies of supporting resources identified in section 2 as needed
to support your application:
Additional File Upload:
Additional File Upload 2:
The results of this submission may be viewed at:
https://rwu.edu/node/113561/submission/639011