By Laura Murphy and Amy Grigg Howiler

Congratulations! It’s time to retire from the museum world. Whether you are taking a break until your next career move or leaving it all behind for that TikTok Around the World Cruise, leaving the museum world will be a big step.

This is so exciting, BUT do you ever wonder if there may be something you’ll really miss from your career? What about those relationships you’ve forged in MSA that have contributed to your creativity, knowledge, vibrancy, and let’s face it, fortitude? Don’t forget about ShopTalk, chapter meetings, and the zenith of MSA learning and high jinx, the annual conference.

You don’t have to leave these things behind! The Museum Store Association has a place for you as an emeritus member, a membership that allows you to keep these benefits (and others) and at a reduced rate. Your retail knowledge and relationship savvy don’t magically disappear as you retire. MSA recognizes that accrued knowledge and experiences are valuable and invites you to step into the role of G.O.A.T.-Emeritus Member. (Did I mention that this elite status applies to vendors too?)

Long-time MSA member and leader, Laura Murphy says a first step after retirement from The Preservation Society of Newport County, was to move her membership to emeritus status. Working with Membership Committee Chair, Sophie Cosper, Laura reached out to other retired store managers to recruit them for continued active participation and relevant insights. 

The membership committee will continue to build and support this membership group, and in the meantime here are things you can expect as a new emeritus member:

• Continued Association correspondence, including use of the MSA website, ShopTalk, email updates, and the MSA Museum Store magazine.
• Continued invitations to chapter meetings and the annual conference.
• Continued participation as panel members, conference speakers, task force members, blog post contributors, and chapter newsletter writers.
• Continued volunteer opportunities at the conference registration desk, membership booth, and vendor setup and breakdown support.

As Laura points out, possibly the MOST important role an emeritus member can adopt is that of mentor to a newcomer in the business. Imagine an MSANext and Emeritus mixer! The synergy for these groups, on either side of the museum store universe, is loaded with potential.

Everyone remembers the excitement mixed with the panic of being a newbie. Our emeritus members will shine as those who have made it through and can offer encouragement and a trick or two that they have up their sleeve!

Please reach out to Membership Committee Co-Chairs, Sophie Cosper, Amy Grigg, and Katherine Kornblau with questions. Be proud to be part of an organization that honors and supports all its members through all stages of this unique and rewarding career.

Laura Murphy: Retired museum industry professional

Amy Grigg Howiler: Emeritus Member