Online courses

AIC announces three new courses in the AIC Online series of
"Business and Management Practices for Conservation."  Each course
is four weeks in length and is accessed through a course web site.
New activities and discussions are provided each week.  An
instructor guides discussions and offer tips and resources beyond
what you find on the course site. You may work on the course at any
time within each week.  Each course provides readings, case studies,
work sheets, presentations, and exercises to get you thinking,
planning, and implementing what you learn.  Online discussion forums
allow you to draw on the combined experience of other participants,
the course facilitator, and select outside experts.  Best of all,
the courses come to you.  All you need is a computer with Internet
access and you are ready to learn.

"Records and Information Management for Conservation"
Instructor:  Holly Robertson
April 26 - May 23, 2007
$200 AIC members; $300 nonmembers

    Anyone running a conservation practice or laboratory deals with
    information in multiple formats, from treatment reports on paper
    to documentation photos on film and client correspondence via
    email.  How can you quickly access treatment files from twelve
    years ago?  If an object you've conserved becomes part of a
    court case, will you be able to comply with records subpoenas
    and discovery requests, and protect yourself from liability? Can
    you use a documentation photo from a recent treatment in your
    new brochure?  Do you need to keep your electricity bill from
    1983 or your bank statement from 2001?  What do you do with that
    stack of conservation literature in the corner? Taking the time
    now to create a system to manage your records will save you
    time, money, and aggravation in the future.

    By taking this course, you will learn to:

        Assess the records you have and what you need to manage them
        Develop systems to maintain conservation treatment
        documentation as well as business records
        Understand the benefits and drawbacks of "going digital"
        Improve your operations and productivity
        Create strategies to reduce-or live with-mess
        Identify what records you can get rid of (and when)
        Preserve your vital records, even if a disaster strikes

"Laboratory Safety for Conservation"
Instructor:  Elizabeth Goins
May 3-31, 2007
$120 AIC members; $200 nonmembers

    This on-line course covers important topics that are essential
    to your safety, the safety of your co-workers, and preventing
    damage from environmental hazards.  The course is based on
    twelve videos from the American Chemical Society that illustrate
    general principles as well as specific guidelines for safety in
    the laboratory.  Follow-up quizzes and online discussions ensure
    that you understand the material and know how it applies to
    conservation practices.

    This material in this course is essential for anyone working in
    a laboratory or supervising students, interns, or others in a
    laboratory setting.

    The course contents include:

        Compressed gases
        Waste management
        Chemical storage
        Handling of corrosives
        Oxidation hazards
        Eye and face protection
        Working with toxic chemicals
        Carcinogens and long-range hazards
        Spill prevention and clean-up
        Combustibles and flammables
        Using chemical hoods

Please note that, because of the video materials used in the lab
safety course, you will need to use a high-speed internet connection
(such as DSL, satellite, or cable) and will need a computer capable
of playing audio from the course website.

"Mitigating Risk:  Contracts and Insurance for Conservation"
Instructor: Sarah Lowengard
June 21--July 18, 2007
$200 AIC members; $280 nonmembers

    Whether you are in private practice or work in a larger
    institution, it is important to identify the risks you face,
    learn how to reduce those risks, and know how to manage risks
    through the use of contracts, insurance, and other means.  The
    course will cover:

        How to identify risks
        Components of a good contract
        How contracts can be used to reduce risks
        How to identify and locate appropriate insurance for your
        needs
        Managing contracts
        Creating an overall risk mitigation strategy

        Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

            Define basic vocabulary relating to contracts, insurance
            and liability.

            Identify the three most significant risks to your
            conservation business.

            Understand how to use contracts, insurance and other
            measures to reduce the impact of identified risks

            Recognize the components of a well-constructed contract.

            Read and understand three basic contracts (e.g.,
            insurance, rental agreement, contract for conservation
            treatment).

            Identify the types of insurance that may be required by
            law in your state.

            Identify the role of legal and insurance professionals
            in managing your business risks.

These courses were created with a grant from the Getty Foundation,
and are presented with the support of funds from the FAIC Endowment
for Professional Endowment.  More information and registration forms
can be found at <URL:http://aic.stanford.edu/education/workshops> or
contact:

    Eric Pourchot, Ph.D.
    Professional Development Director
    American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
    1717 K Street, NW,  Suite 200
    Washington, DC  20036
    202-452-9545, extension 12
    Fax: 202-452-9328
    epourchot [at] aic-faic__org


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:47
                   Distributed: Friday, April 6, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-20-47-011
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