Last week we welcomed Sara Orlandi into the Development Team for the British Museum’s Work Exchange programme.
Sara is the Gifts & Donor Support Manager for the British Museum and was here to look at how we work with data for our members, how we use that data (especially direct debit data) and processes related to that data. She’s also been looking out how we plan to deal with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) which comes into effect from 25 May 2018.
“It’s been really interesting to experience another type of organisation,” says Sara. “Especially because the Museum is self-financing which is something the British Museum is working towards but haven’t quite yet realised, so there is much to be learned.”
Sara says she has been impressed with the work we do here with a relatively small team, compared the British Museum whopping 30-strong Membership and Fundraising Team (the organisation chart for just this department looks like our entire organisation!)
“I really like the fact that you have one database, Tessitura, for all your data. We have multiple databases at the British Museum so this is something I will take back with me to the team”. She also commented on how things run so smoothly here using Tessitura.
“Most of all,” she adds, “I am impressed by how alive everything is!” Flowers on the table, roaring fires, radios left playing – Sara noticed how much attention to detail we put into the shops and houses that make up the Museum. “Sometimes Museums can lack life; they can be static – not here, I really felt I was stepping back in time.”
Sara met with the Marketing Department, the IT Manager and the Curatorial Assistant in Collections – she wishes to extend her thanks to Helen and Katy who have given a lot of their time this week, showing her around and organising meetings and showing her around.
“I’ll be sharing my learnings when I get back, of course, but I know what my team is waiting for – the sweets!”
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