The following post from Conservation Discussion List may be of interest.

Date: 24 Aug 2082
From: Helen Alten <helen [at] collectioncare__org>
Subject: Online workshop on writing disaster plans

Disasters and emergencies occur without notice, anytime, anywhere.
If you have thought about possible contingencies, done drills and
practiced recovery, it will have a significantly lower impact on the
staff, visitors and collection. Disaster Plan Research and Writing
is an amazing course that organizes all of the information you need
to have an effective and swift response.  If you are still
struggling to start, or complete, your institutional disaster plan,
consider taking this course.

MS 205/6: Disaster Plan Research and Writing
Instructor: Terri Schindel
Dates:Sep 6 to Oct 28, 2011
Price: $475
Location: Online at <URL:http://www.museumclasses.org>

Description: Every museum, library and archive needs to be prepared
for fires, floods, chemical spills, tornadoes, hurricanes and other
disasters. But surveys show 80 percent lack trained staff,
emergency-preparedness plans for their collections, or both.
Disaster Plan Research and Writing begins with the creation of
disaster-preparedness teams, the importance of ongoing planning,
employee safety, board participation and insurance. Participants
will learn everything they need to draft their own
disaster-preparedness plans. They also will be required to
incorporate colleagues in team-building exercises.

A written disaster-preparedness plan is not only a good idea, it's
also a requirement for accreditation. In the second half of the
course, instructor Terri Schindel reviews and provides input as
participants write plans that outline the procedures to follow in
various emergencies. The completed plan prepares museums physically
and mentally to handle emergencies that can harm vulnerable and
irreplaceable collections. You will have a completed institutional
disaster-preparedness and response plan at the end of the course.

Logistics: Participants in Disaster Plan Research and Writing work
at their own pace. Instructor Terri Schindel is available at
scheduled times for email support. Opportunities for interaction
include forums and scheduled online chats. Each section includes a
written assignment that becomes support material for drafting an
actual disaster preparedness plan. Materials include readings,
lecture notes, links to relevant web sites and handouts. The course
is limited to 20 participants.

MS205/6: Disaster Plan Research and Writing lasts eight weeks. To
reserve a spot in the course, please pay at
<URL:http://www.collectioncare.org/tas/tas.html>. If you have
trouble please contact Helen Alten at helen [at] collectioncare__org

The Instructor:

    Terri Schindel, graduated from the Courtauld Art Institute,
    University of London with a concentration in textile
    conservation. Since 1988 she has taught collections care and
    preventive conservation to museum staff. She has assisted
    museums in writing disaster plans for more than a decade and
    helped develop national standards for disaster-preparedness
    materials. Ms. Schindel specializes in collection care and
    preventive conservation and works regularly with small, rural
    and tribal museums. She is familiar with the many challenges and
    lack of resources facing these institutions. Ms. Schindel is
    committed to maintaining the uniqueness of each museum while
    ensuring that they serve as a resource for future generations.

****************************

Iona McCraith
Preservation Consultant
Archives Association of Ontario
Tel: (705) 277-1309     Fax: (705) 277-2091
Email: [log in to unmask]
www..aao-archivists.ca