All those who work on behalf of the Knox Historical Society understand and support its mission and public trust responsibilities. The KHS collections and programs, and its physical, human, and financial resources, are protected, maintained, and developed in support of the mission. Working relationships among officers and trustees and members are based on equity and mutual respect. Policies are articulated and prudent oversight is practiced. Governance promotes the public good rather than individual financial gain.
Collections
KHS shall act legally and ethically in collecting, acquiring, storing, reproducing, exhibiting, transporting, lending, and disposing of items. Collections are accounted for and documented, and access to the collections is permitted and regulated. Collections-related activities promote the public good rather than individual financial gain.
Personal, Institutional, or Commercial Collecting
No KHS officers or trustees will present himself/herself as representing KHS in negotiating or purchasing for private collections.
Personal Gain
KHS officers or trustees shall not use or appear to use their positions, privileged information, and access obtained from their positions for personal gain.
Personal Use
The KHS collection shall not be used for private benefit contrary to KHS’s mission and collection purpose and scope.
Disposition of Collections
KHS collections will not be given, loaned, sold, or otherwise transferred, publicly or privately to individuals or family members of individuals who are KHS officers or trustees. No KHS officers or trustees may bid on items removed from the KHS collection at auction for personal collections.
Appraisals
KHS officers or trustees shall not offer appraisals of monetary value for any items within or offered to KHS.
Non-Capitalization of Collections
In compliance with the American Associations of Museums professional standards, it is the policy of KHS not to capitalize (meaning assigning a monetary value for accounting purposes) its collections or to treat them as financial assets in any way. KHS shall not use revenues from disposal of its collections in order to provide financial support for institutional operations, maintenance, capital improvements, or for any purposes other than the acquisition and direct conservation of collections.
Programs
Programs are founded on scholarship and marked by intellectual integrity. Programs are accessible, encourage participation of the widest possible audience, and respect pluralistic values and concerns.
