Wyoming State Historical Society Statement of Purpose

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Wyoming State Historical Society
Statement of Purpose
Adopted at the 1988 Annual Meeting
Revised 1992

The Wyoming State Historical Society hereby establishes the following as a statement of purpose which shall serve as a guide for members, officers and chapters in the development of the Society. It shall serve until such time as the Society determines that a new statement of purpose is needed.

The Wyoming State Historical Society shall work to...

  1.  Promote involvement/communication with local chapters.
       a. Make the "Wyoming History News" a more regular and frequent
           communication tool between the state and local organizations.
       b. A concerted effort shall be made by all state offices to visit
           local chapters.
       c. Local chapters should be encouraged to develop and present
           programs of historical interest.
       d. The annual meeting shall be planned to encourage more interest
           by the local chapters. The local chapters should be surveyed to
           determine what might generate more interest in the annual
           meeting.

  2.  Promote the study and interpretation of Wyoming history.
       a. Promote oral history and the training of more oral historians
       b. Present a coordinated series of seminars, workshops, etc. at the
           annual meeting.
       c. Promote and support the publication of Wyoming history.
       d. Encourage the writing and presentation of family history,
           biography and county history.

  3.  Use history to promote tourism in Wyoming.
       a. Promote the development of programs by local chapters for
           tourists, walking tours, etc.
       b. Work with local Chambers of Commerce to increase information
           about local historic sites, monuments, museums, etc.
       c. Work with the Travel Commission to increase information about
           state historic sites, monuments and museums.

  4.  Develop a membership reflecting all segments of Wyoming’s
       population.
       a. Have programs on and about ethnic group history at the annual
           meeting and invite participation.
       b. Develop the quality of Society programs to improve attendance.
       c. Actively recruit members. Officers should speak to non-historical
           groups as much as possible.
       d. Develop recruitment materials.

  5.  Encourage high quality teaching of Wyoming history in all schools
       and for all ages.
       a. Promote and support History Day and the Junior Historian
           program.
       b. Provide information about Wyoming history to teachers.
       c. Provide resource people to speak to classes.
       d. Provide research grants for developing classes or courses in
           Wyoming history.
       e. Work with the State Department of Education to develop
           programs for using history in classrooms and award recertification
           credit to teachers.
       f.  Develop a collection of resource material for teachers.
       g. Provide a recognition to outstanding teachers and students a the
           college level.

  6.  Establish an active program of financial development and
       organizational growth.
       a. Be aggressive about requesting bequests.
       b. Establish a training program in estate planning as part of the
           annual meeting.

  7.  Explore mergers or cooperation with other history related
       organizations.
       a. Genealogical societies.
       b. Wyoming Historic Preservation Association
       c. Archaeological societies.
       d. Local state and national historic sites.

  8.  Promote general public understanding of Wyoming history.
       Promote historic sites, monuments, etc. for general public.
       a. Develop public service advertising campaigns around events and
           interpretation of Wyoming history; short radio spots for example.        b. Aggressive contact with state media to offer assistance in
           developing programs.
       c. Provide support and encouragement to media that make an effort
           to promote Wyoming history.

  9.  Promote the interpretation of historic sties and preservation of sites
       where appropriate.
       a. Develop an educational program for government officials to
           acquaint them with the history of an area and how certain
           decisions...
       b. Develop an educational program to assist decision makers to
           understand how history can make a positive contribution to a
           community; for example Main Street and SHPO programs.

  10. Improve the visibility of the Wyoming State Historical Society.
       a. Sponsor public service announcements about the Society and its
           activities.
       b. Develop additional promotional material.

  11. Provide support for state agencies involved in promotion,
       interpretation, preservation of Wyoming history.
       a. Financial support.
       b. Recognize public employees’ contribution to promoting Wyoming
           history and express appreciation.
       c. Encourage individuals to express support of agencies that support
           history by contacting decision makers.

  12. Reward individuals and organizations for contributions to Wyoming
       history.
       a. Use awards programs to emphasize outstanding efforts.
       b. Provide public thank yous to individuals and organizations.

Please contact us with your comments, suggestions or inquiries.

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