Best Practices Defined: Best practices have been variously defined as techniques or methodologies that, through experience and research, have proven to reliably lead to a desired result; procedures that are generally agreed upon but not legislated; or commendable actions and philosophies that successfully solve problems, can be replicated, and demonstrate an awareness of professional standards.
Function
To assemble and disseminate best practices associated with natural history collection care and to provide infrastructure that allows the development and evolution of best practices in response to innovations within the field.
Leadership and Composition
Two co-chairs and a subcommittee chair. A minimum of 10 members representing the diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and nationalities, in the natural history field (including but not limited to preservation, conservation, digitization, and collections management), but size can vary depending on needs.
Duties and Products
- Assemble content associated with the preservation, conservation and management of natural history collections from both society members and published resources
- Standardize content for dissemination to society members
- Develop technology-based ways to present and promote content to society members
- Encourage discussion on ways to improve the preservation, conservation and management of natural history collections through technology-based platforms, social media, and SPNHC sessions and workshops at annual meetings
- Develop partnerships with other organizations and institutions to collaborate on the development of best practices for the community
Subcommittees
Subcommittees of the Best Practices Committee include Citations, and the addition of ad hoc committees as necessary
Citations Subcommittee Purpose – The subcommittee assembles and distributes
relevant literature related to best practices and the history of past practices in natural history.
Leadership and Composition – One chairperson, who can solicit interested members, and a minimum of five members, but size can vary depending on needs.
Calendar Items
January: Citation submissions provided to Citations Subcommittee Chair by the end of the month.
February: Co-Chairs submit Committee report to Newsletter. Subcommittee Chair submits summary of citations to Newsletter.
March: Assessment of progress on tasks set for Committee at previous Annual Meeting. Subcommittee Chair submits citations to Webmaster for inclusion online.
April: Development of agenda items for Committee meeting at Annual SPNHC Meeting. Co-Chairs prepare report on activities for the year for the Annual SPNHC Meeting.
May/June: Report of Committee work presented at Annual Business Meeting and to Council. Committee meets at Annual Meeting.
July: Update Committee tasks, membership, and Leadership Manual following Annual Meeting. Citation submissions provided to Citations Subcommittee Chair by the end of the month.
August: Co-Chairs submit Committee report to Newsletter and Subcommittee Chair submits summary of citations to Newsletter.
August 31: Submit corrections or text revisions to the SPNHC Secretary for the Leadership Manual.
September: Subcommittee Chair submits citations to Webmaster for inclusion online. Transfer important records and items of committee business to the Archives Committee.
Reviewed by Linda S. Ford and Laura Abraczinskas, July 2019
Revised by Jessica Cundiff and Breda Zimkus, July 2019
Revised by Jessica Cundiff, Breda Zimkus, and Margaret Landis, May 2016 Combined Best Practices and Documentation committees by SPNHC Council, February 2016
Reviewed (Best Practices) by Jean-Marc Gagnon, October 2013
Reviewed (Documentation) by Chris Norris, October 2013
Revised (Best Practices) by Tim White and James Macklin, October 2013
Revised (Documentation) by Marcia A. Revelez and Elizabeth A. Leith, October 2013