By Mike Skelton and Sandra Harris

The possibility for a museum related to The Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club has moved from Jim Kruse’s emailed idea to serious discussion to successful fundraising. Despite a concrete plan, members have supported the concept through donations to the Building Fund. A solid plan can only increase the fundraising and take the idea into reality.

Goals:

Take initial ideas and discussions of the Vision and Feasibility Committee and incorporate them into a strategic plan and business plan for the Building/Museum before spending any of the $87,000.00 in donations on a location. Utilizing these funds in the most cost effective and long-term beneficial manner should be primary.

Critical to this process is building on the purpose of the Club to define what the museum could and should be for future generations. As stated in the organization’s constitution:

A) The purposes of this organization are to promote a closer relationship and good will among the members of the Club, to encourage the study of gaming chips and tokens by the acquisition and study of all types of gaming exonumia, to assist new collectors and to encourage others in the study of gaming exonumia, and to maintain close liaison with other historical and numismatic associations.

Questions to ask include:

· How will a museum support the purpose of the organization?
· How will the museum fit the professional definition of a museum in order to maintain its nonprofit status?
· How will a museum sustain itself financially?
· What are the day-to day needs of such a facility, both physically and in terms of personnel?

The goals and desired outcomes for the museum component as well as a business and program model formally adopted by The Board should be well in place before a site is chosen.

Process:

The elements outlined below will be defined through group discussion in a two day workshop held August 18 & 19, 2006. Members of the Board of Directors and members of the Vision & Feasibility Committee will participate in this workshop. Sandra Harris, Deputy Director of the Hearst Museum at UC Berkley, (former Exec Director Neon Museum, Liberace Museum) will act as the facilitator of the workshop. Her 15+ years of experience in strategic planning and museum design, will be invaluable as she leads the participants through exploration of options and decision making.

Outcome:

The final product will be a written plan with supporting documentation that includes visuals such as a PowerPoint presentation and/or DVD which will serve as the basis for future fundraising. When the project is complete, The Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club will have the legal and professional guidelines in place to establish a museum.

Building/Museum Feasibility Study Elements

I. 5 Year Strategic Plan

Mission Statement

Vision Statement based on initial work of the Committee as noted on www.ccgtcc.com :

· Developing a vision for using the proceeds from the Building Fund (this would include, but not be limited to, whether we lease, buy or acquire space from a corporate donor, whether the space would serve as a club office, museum, store, and/or storage for donated items and other club property);
· Evaluating the feasibility of obtaining that vision (estimation of acquisition and projected operational costs and possible income sources).
· Location would be in the Las Vegas, Nevada, area.

Core Values
Goals

II. Business Plan
Critical Financial Considerations
Grant Opportunities
Private Donors
Corporate Donors
Raising an Endowment
Earned Income

Program Considerations

Intended Audience & Visitor Experience Plan

Functions (research, exhibits, meetings, retail)

Relationship with UNLV and Other Museums

Facility Needs Assessment (Current and Projected)

Collection Storage, Care & Security

Library & Research Space

Exhibition Space

Retail Offices

Baseline Operating Budget

Staffing Assessment with Org Chart and Job Descriptions

Research on Local Competitors

Research on Possible Locations and Feasibility of Phased Space Acquisition Plan