The Museum Store Association is a non-profit association for individuals, organizations and businesses dedicated to promoting retailing businesses operating under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code established for the primary purpose of collecting and preserving, studying, interpreting, performing, assembling and exhibiting to the public for its instruction and enjoyment, objects and specimens (whether animate or inanimate) of educational and cultural value, including artistic, scientific, historical and technological material.
The association supports the advancement of the non-profit retailing profession through serving as an essential resource for institutions, individuals and businesses interested in working within this industry. The association encourages the highest level of professional standards in the industry by raising awareness of the profession, by supporting a stronger economic climate for the industry and institutions served, and by providing educational and career development opportunities for its individual members.
MEMBERSHIP
Individual Membership, Nonprofit
An individual engaged in non-profit retailing in outlets within an organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code (or equivalent status for international applicants) and employed (as staff or volunteer) by the 501(c)3 organization for the primary purpose of collecting and preserving, studying, interpreting, performing, assembling and exhibiting to the public for its instruction and enjoyment, objects and specimens (whether animate or inanimate) of educational and cultural value, including artistic, scientific, historical and technological material is eligible to apply for membership in the Association.
The member is entitled to:
- Serve as a member of the board of directors of the Association
- Serve as a member of Association committees and task forces
- Vote in an MSA national election
- Attend Association meetings
- Receive Association membership privileges and correspondence
It is the responsibility of the member to inform MSA of any change in affiliation or status with the Organization operating under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Institution Membership, Non-Profit
An organization operating under 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or equivalent status for international applicants) for the primary purpose of collecting and preserving, studying, interpreting, performing, assembling and exhibiting to the public for its instruction and enjoyment, objects and specimens (whether animate or inanimate) of educational and cultural value, including artistic, scientific, historical and technological material is eligible to apply for membership in the Association.
The terms of the Institution Membership require that if the Institution has a retail outlet there is at least one person on staff who has a current Individual Membership, Nonprofit. If the Institution does not have a retail outlet it must designate at least one person to serve as a contact within the Institution who receives communications from MSA and whose contact information is listed in the MSA Member Directory.
The membership entitles individuals on staff with the institution to:
- Serve as a member of committees and task forces in the Association
- Serve as the designated representative at Association meetings
The Institution Membership entitles the Institution to:
- Be recognized as an MSA member in appropriate forms of MSA communications
- Display the MSA Member mark in appropriate Institution communications
- Receive member-only benefits and discounts offered by MSA
- Receive first consideration for sponsorship opportunities
- Participate in MSA programs designed to support institutions as a whole
Individual Membership, For-profit
An individual engaged in museum store retailing in outlets within an organization under a for-profit entity for the primary purpose of collecting and preserving, studying, interpreting, performing, assembling and exhibiting to the public for its instruction and enjoyment, objects and specimens (whether animate or inanimate) of educational and cultural value, including artistic, scientific, historical and technological material is eligible to apply for membership in the Association.
The member is entitled to:
- Attend Association meetings
- Serve as a member of committees and task forces in the Association
- Receive Association membership privileges and correspondence
The member is not entitled to:
- Vote in an MSA national election
- Vote on association matters
- Serve as an officer or member of the board of directors
It is the responsibility of the member to inform MSA of any change in affiliation or status with the for-profit organization.
Individual Membership, Professional
An individual interested in retailing within a non-profit organization administered for the public interest who currently is not professionally affiliated with such an organization, is not currently engaged in wholesale, nor provides services, nor is affiliated with organizations that engage in wholesale or provide services is eligible to apply for membership in the Association .
The member is entitled to:
- Attend Association meetings
- Serve as a member of Association committees and task forces
- Receive Association membership privileges and correspondence
The member is not entitled to:
- Vote in an MSA national election
- Vote on Association motions
- Serve as an officer or member of the board of directors
Individual Membership, Emeritus
Emeritus membership is available to:
An individual previously engaged in retailing merchandise in a nonprofit institution administered for the public interest, currently retired as a retailing professional, and that is or was a member of MSA at some point before retiring from retailing merchandise in a nonprofit institution administered for the public interest is eligible to apply for membership in the Association.
An individual that was engaged in or was affiliated with a company engaged in providing merchandise or professional services of benefit to non-profit/museum stores within a nonprofit institution administered for the public interests, currently retired from that position or company, and that is or was previously or whose company is or was previously a member of MSA is eligible to apply for membership in the Association.
The member is entitled to:
- Attend Association meetings
- Serve as a member of Association committees and task forces
- Receive Association membership privileges and correspondence
The member is not entitled to:
- Vote in an MSA national election
- Vote on Association motions
- Serve as an officer or member of the board of directors
Individual Membership, Student
An individual preparing for a museum career registered as a student in an accredited, degree-granting college or university is eligible to apply for membership in the Association. A student ID is required.
The member is entitled to:
- Attend Association meetings
- Serve as a member of Association committees and task forces
- Receive Association membership privileges and correspondence
The member is not entitled to:
- Vote in an MSA national election
- Vote on Association motions
- Serve as an officer or member of the board of directors
It is the responsibility of the member to inform MSA of any change in status related to their studies as a student in an accredited, degree-granting college or university.
Vendor Membership
An individual or company engaged in providing merchandise or professional services of benefit to non-profit/museum stores within an organization under 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue (or equivalent status for international applicants for the primary purpose of collecting and preserving, studying, interpreting, performing, assembling and exhibiting to the public for its instruction and enjoyment, objects and specimens (whether animate or inanimate) of educational and cultural value, including artistic, scientific, historical and technological material are eligible to apply for membership in the Association.This category shall exclude museum store professionals who are primarily retailers.
The vendor member is entitled to:
- Receive Association membership privileges and correspondence
- Attend Association meetings
- Participate in opportunities offered by the Association to promote vendor member’s product
- Serve as a member of Association committees and task forces
- Serve as the advisory member to the board of directors of the Association
The vendor member is not entitled to:
- Vote in an MSA national election
- Vote on Association motions
Revision Adopted: October 9, 2014
Secretary: Michael Higdon
Original on file in MSA office
