October 2022 Employee Newsletter

Meet Madison Zapata

The Indiana State Museum has its first AmeriCorps member on staff: Madison Zapata, a graduate student in museum studies at IUPUI.

Madison, who started the week of Oct. 17, will be working in the museum galleries and temporary exhibits as part of the engagement team. She will also support Gallery Program Manager Rebeccah Swanson with daily engagement programming and project tasks as needed.

She will be with the museum until September 2023.

Her role at the museum is part of a partnership with the Indiana Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, which runs the AmeriCorps program for Indiana. She is the first AmeriCorps member to work in a museum in Indiana.

“I’m all for trying to find new avenues for everyone,” said Vice President of Engagement Bethany Thomas, who was looking for ways to add to staff without stretching the budget too much and discovered that an AmeriCorps partnership was possible. “This gives Madison some really good work experience and life experience and gives us a way to fill gaps and be creative in how we can help support our team.”

Madison grew up in Kenosha, Wis. Family vacations were spent visiting museums in different cities. Her eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., and then her senior-year trip to Europe, cemented her interest in museum work.

She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where she majored in history and minored in arts with a gallery and museum studies emphasis. She also interned at the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay during her senior year.

She came to Indianapolis this fall to begin work on her master’s degree. In September, she saw a job listing for a gallery host at the state museum. She applied here, then to AmeriCorps, which pays a portion of her salary and provides a number of benefits.

“I want to work in a museum after grad school,” she said, “so this is a way for me to get my foot in the door.”

Her plan is to become a curator, but while in school she’s going to try many jobs.

“I want to go every direction –test drive every department,” she said. “Curation could change if I like education or collections or something else, but right now it’s curator.”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: ANDREW NAUGLE

Andrew Naugle is the program developer at Angel Mounds State Historic Site. He began working for the museum system in September. As program developer, Andrew creates and teaches programs about history, archaeology and nature at Angel Mounds. He lives in Evansville with wife Shana Naugle and two young children.

What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?

I have group-camped in freezing temperatures with only a knife, a sleeping bag, a meal and a bottle of water. We had practiced all summer and fall. We made our own fire and shelter and slept in shifts to tend the fire.

What skill would you most like to learn, and why?

For myself, making my own arrows, or my own stone knives. I already make my own bows and would like to use these tools in “primitive” hunts.

For others, convincing them that they need nature too and helping connect them to the skills I have been taught.

What is the coolest thing you’ve ever made?

My children. Aside from that, my first friction fire.

What’s the best advice you were ever given?

From my great grandpa, Orlo Grinage –“Keep breathing.”

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?

I use birds to track animals. Bird language is an extension of animal tracking, and if you are in tune enough, you can find out what animals are present by what the birds are doing.

What is something you have accomplished as an adult that your younger self would be proud of?

My job basically lets me be a professional caveman and helps connect others to that ancestral part of themselves.

If you had to delete all but three apps from your smartphone, which ones would you keep? Why?

1. Duolingo – to stay current on my French and Spanish

2. Reddit – to keep up with my communities of interest

3. Podcasts – to listen to nature, Spanish and Alan Alda podcasts

SECURITY

ISMHS Biennial Safety and Security Inspections

ISMHS biennial safety and security inspections will begin in the spring of 2023! Inspections are important because they help us critically examine the workplace to identify and mitigate hazards and vulnerabilities.

It allows us to make sure that all standards (both Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Americans with Disabilities Act standards) are met, and the workplace is in fact safe and free from any risk. After all, making sure that we have a safe environment for our visitors is essential and our responsibility.

Potential safety hazards must be mitigated with an effective risk management process. The ISMHS security risk management process consists of the following:

• Identify and record potential health and safety hazards

• Review safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, first aid kits, safety shoes, protective gear, etc.)

• Examine the effectiveness of workplace safety practices

• Check for compliance with health and safety regulations (OSHA & ADA)

• Recommend corrective actions to rectify or eliminate any hazards

• Update and revise all Emergency Disaster Plans

All ISMHS site managers and maintenance personnel will be needed to assist in site escorts during inspections and identify any pre-existing issues or suggest needed improvements. Inspection information will be available February 2023 and will include the following:

• Historic site inspection schedule

• List of inspectors

• List of guidelines

• A copy of the inspection checklist

• Specific safety and security recommendations (things that we can implement prior to inspection)

Once inspection data is collected, it will be reviewed and analyzed by ISMHS security to identify vulnerabilities and hazards. Next, inspection reports will be submitted to ISMHS leadership with proposed actions to mitigate or eliminate hazards to improve workplace safety and security. Finally, a plan/schedule for improvement to mitigate or eliminate all identified hazards and vulnerabilities will be available. We’ll see you soon!

OVERHEARD IN THE MUSEUM

Recently, I had a conversation with a visitor while conducting a patrol through the museum. The visitor was interested in what a typical day was like for a museum security staff member.

Visitor: Hey, do you work here? ISMHS Security: Yes! Can I help you?

Visitor: Yes. Where is the Major Taylor exhibit? And, are you security?

ISMHS Security: Yes, I am a security representative, and the Major Taylor exhibit is located on the third floor. I’m going that way. If you want to follow me, I can show you exactly where the exhibit is located.

ISMHS Security: So, how is your day going so far? Are you enjoying the museum?

Visitor: Thanks for asking. My day is going quite well, and this museum is amazing!

Visitor: I’m curious what exactly museum security does. What is a day in the life of museum security?

ISMHS Security: Well, we provide and ensure safety and security for all visitors and staff while providing protection of artifacts and museum property. It’s our main priority to create a friendly, safe and enjoyable environment for everyone. We also perform several duties that include using technological equipment, such as alarm, public announcement and surveillance systems.

Visitor: WOW! That’s quite a bit.

ISMHS Security: Yeah, I could go on and on but we’re finally here at the Major Taylor exhibit, and I’d rather you enjoy the exhibit rather than hear about more security information.

Visitor: Well, thank you for the information and hospitality. I greatly appreciate it and I’m happy there’s individuals here to make sure I’m safe.

ISMHS Security: Please enjoy the museum, and have a fantastic day!

IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO PUT IN YOUR PHONE Security Non-Emergency 317.234.2454 Security Emergency 317.234.2455 After-Hours Security Mobile 317.509.5396

Security Manager

Dustin Chavez Director of Security Tyriee Love

LEADING AUTHORITY

Without

In today’s agile business environment, leadership has become an increasingly flexible structure as projects are frequently tasked to individuals without formal titles or authority. The days of the solid state organizational chart seem to be falling by the wayside and thus you may find yourself in a situation where you are tasked with leading a project or team without direct supervisory authority. These opportunities may leave you asking yourself how you will lead successfully in lieu of a title. Never fear, here are some real-world solutions to help you lead without authority.

1) Build trust and credibility through relationships.

“Leadership is a choice you make rather than a place you sit. In other words, leadership comes from influence and not from your position. For this reason, even when you are not in front, you’re still leading those around you.” - John Maxwell, Leading from the Middle of the Pack Influence is the most powerful tool in a leader’s toolbox regardless of their title or position in an organization. The simplest way to build influence with the people you are leading is by building trust. Trust is formed from two foundational beliefs – the belief that you have their best interests at heart and the confidence that you have the ability and desire to help them.

Taking time to listen empathetically, asking for ideas or advice and taking a personal interest in people’s lives and thoughts are great ways to build relationships and foster trust. As your relationships grow, so can your influence. Demonstrating your credibility and excellence will help others trust in your ability to get the job done. Doing your research and communicating information clearly and effectively will help develop credibility in your leadership.

2) Uncover a greater purpose. All people want to believe that their work has value and purpose in the world. Helping others uncover this purpose and connect to it is perhaps one of the most valuable skills for leading through influence. Great leaders capitalize on this skill and help others find deeper meaning in their work naturally. They have influence because others look to them for inspiration.

Ultimately, great leaders lead from wherever they are in an organization because they understand that influence is far more important than control. The more you build your influence with those around you, the more capable a leader you will become.

LANIER MANSION

T.C. STEELE STATE HISTORIC SITE

VINCENNES STATE HISTORIC SITES

INDIANA STATE MUSEUM

INDIANA STATE MUSEUM