Thank you means the world.

Julie Stein, Executive Director at the Burke Museum of Natural History, sent out an email to students, staff, and members of the museum last week sharing with them the wonderful news that the Washington State Legislature had appropriated 3.5 million dollars for the planned expansion of the Burke facility.  She then sent a follow up email, letting everyone know specifically which legislators had carried the day so we could thank 'em.  Classy move, and smart.

Most museum folks know how important it is to thank donors for objects and monetary gifts, most do some kind of event to thank volunteers on at least an annual basis, but how many take the extra step of thanking their legislators, mayors, city councils, and other government folks when they demonstrate support for museums?  How many encourage their membership and staff to do so?  This simple act of appreciation goes a long way to increasing the visibility of any cause with the person being thanked, on just a human level.  Legislators are very used to hearing the demands and the complaints of unhappy constituents; an occasional, heartfelt thanks for doing "the right thing" only makes them feel like doing it again.

And it should be heartfelt; we all know there are limited resources with unlimited needs.  We also know that our cause, the maintenance and accessibility of public heritage for the public, is just and honorable.  It's a good thing with which to be connected for the long-term well-being of a community as well as a strategic way for a public servant to demonstrate where their values are without alienating anyone.  Conversely, attacks on museums frequently are horribly damaging to those who perpetrate them; witness the outcry (and free press!) when New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani attacked the Met or when Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld thought nude statues should be clothed.  They were met with overwhelming public disapproval.  And the museums prevailed.

It can take less than ten calls or letters to grab a public servant's attention.  Really.  What is something you would be willing to thank your legislator/mayor/etc. for doing?