Committees
There are many opportunities to help out with our work. Contact the chair of any committee below to learn more and join!
Archives Committee
Director: Cathy Moran Hajo (chajo@ramapo.edu) Directs the work of members, instructs members in archival preservation and practices, works with potential donors of materials and researchers who would like to use collections. Determines the priorities for preservation, orders and manages supplies. Works with the Exhibit Chairs. Reports to the Board of Trustees.
Members – Diane Stripe. After training, organizes archival collections, scan or photocopy materials as needed, write up descriptions. Help preserve artifacts by cleaning and rehousing. Help exhibit members research topics. Report to Archives Director.
To Contact: Please email archives@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.
Buildings and Grounds Committee
Chair: John Edwards – Works with Mahwah Township officials to maintain the physical buildings and the Caboose. Directs members to deal with issues regarding alarm systems, cleaning services, garden maintenance, holiday decorations, etc. Works with Exhibits Chair on lighting for exhibits. Reports to the Board of Trustees.
Members: Bill Dator, Tom DeWan. Assist in maintenance of the buildings and caboose, planting and weeding gardens, hanging holiday decorations, hanging banners and etc. Report to the Committee Chair.
To Contact: Please email info@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.
Education Committee
Chair: Diane Adler – Directs, solicits and organizes group tours, especially Grades 3-12 groups. Contacts local educators, scout troops, and other organizations to encourage trips to the Museum. Helps share Museum content for special projects and tasks. Assists in researching and organizing supplemental materials for groups requiring information not currently exhibited. Reports to the Board of Trustees.Education Committee
Members: Assist in researching and organizing supplemental materials for groups requiring information not currently exhibited. Assists when group tours are scheduled. Report to the Chair.
To Contact: Please email education@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.
Exhibits Committee
Chair: Diane Stripe – Organizes and arranges meetings of the Committee, works on long-range and practical aspects of exhibit planning. Helps organize labor for new exhibit mountings. Seeks out new ideas and volunteers to mount changing exhibits. Develops budget needed for the exhibits each year. Reports to the Board of Trustees.
Members: Cathy Hajo, Charlie Carrares, John Edwards, Vince Gargiulo, Tom Grissom, Yvonne Beatrice, Ken Pokrowski, and Diane Mateo. Offers input and advice on long-range planning, usually serves on one or more specific exhibit committees, general new exhibit installation support including painting, moving walls, and construction. Report to the Chair.
Chairs: design, exhibits, direct the work of the committee members, manage the exhibit budget, and mount exhibits over the summer months. Work with the Lectures and Gallery Talks Chair and the Publicity Chair. Report to the Exhibit Committee Chair.
Members: Research, interpret, write, obtains artifacts, and promotes temporary exhibits (usually lasting 1-2 years). Often prepares gallery talks or lectures to further educate the public about the topic of the exhibit. Work with the Publicity Committee. Reports to their Chair.
To Contact: Please email info@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.
Exhibit-subcommittees are created for the development of each temporary / rotating exhibit.
Finance Committee
Chair: Vacant. Advises the board on investment and monetary policy. Reports to the Board of Trustees.
Fundraising Committee
Chair: Diane Stripe. Directs and coordinates efforts to raise funds for the Museum through grants, events, fund-raisers, and membership and town-wide mailings. Schedules any time sensitive approaches. Works with the Treasurer, and with Office Manager on mailings, consults with Committee Chairs to develop ideas for funding new programs or efforts. Reports to the Board of Trustees.
Members: Charlie Carreras, Tom Grissom, and Cathy Moran Hajo. Drafts letters, grant proposals, social media, helps with fundraising events. Reports to chair.
To Contact: Please email info@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.
Les Paul Committee
Chair: Ken Pokrowski – Develops programs and events related to Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit, works with the Les Paul Foundation to promote the exhibit and Museum holdings, develops birthday fundraisers and other events. Manages any changes or additional to the Les Paul in Mahwah Permanent Exhibit. Works with the Publicity Chair to promote events and Fundraising Chair to secure support from Les Paul Foundation. Reports to the Board of Trustees.
Members: Charlie Carreras, Wade Morgan, Diane Stripe, John Edwards, Jane DeWaan, Steve Lucas, Peter Franz, and Danielle Zanoni. Assist with events, promotion, and gallery talks and lectures. Report to the Chair.
To Contact: Please email lespaul@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.
Membership Committee
Chair: Vacant – Manages member relations; works to increase memberships of all levels, including businesses. Works with Office Manager to send regular updates to members on Museum news and events. Encourages members to become docents, docents to become trustees or committee chairs/members. Reports to the Board of Trustees.
Members: Diane Mateo. Assist in mailings, draft letters, reach out to local businesses, gather news from other committee chairs and officers.
To Contact: Please email info@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.
Old Station Museum /Caboose
Director: John Edwards – Manages the Old Station /Caboose, develops new exhibits, programs. Works with the Buildings and Grounds chair on maintenance and security. Works with the Publicity Chair to promote events. Reports to the Board of Trustees.
Members: Help maintain exhibits, grounds. Reports to Director.
To Contact: Please email info@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.
Programs Committee
Chair: Charlie Carreras — Works with Exhibit Committee and other members of the Museum to identify potential speakers for forthcoming year. Settles dates and locations, organizes refreshments, and works with the Publicity Chair and Office Manager to promote attendance. Reports to the Board of Trustees.
Members: Diane Mateo. Assist with events, promotion, and gallery talks and lectures. Report to the Chair.
To Contact: Please email programs@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.
Publicity Committee
Chair: Victoria Sciancalepore – Develops and implements public relations for the Museum and its committees and units. Designs print and social media advertisements. Works with other Committee chairs and with Office Manager. Reports to the Board of Trustees.
Members: Maja Britton, Charlie Carreras, Diane Stripe, Vince Gargiulo, Maja Britton. Help design, gather information, and write promotional materials. Brainstorm ways to get more attention to the museum and offer popular programs. Report to Chair.
To Contact: Please email info@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.
Technology Committee
Chair: John Edwards – Oversees computers, printers, projectors, televisions, and other technical equipment. Determines when new equipment is needed, investigates price and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
Members: Cathy Moran Hajo, Diane Mateo. Help troubleshoot technical issues; advises on purchases; investigate new technologies that we might employ. Report to Chair.
To Contact: Please email info@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.
Website Committee
Chair: Cathy Moran Hajo – Works with other committees to develop new content for the site; proofreads content, helps design look and feel of site. We use the WordPress platform to deliver the site.
Members: John Edwards and Diane Stripe.
To Contact: Please email info@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.
Other Roles:
Museum Store Manager: Vacant – Maintains and expands inventory, promote store in mailings and social media. Work with exhibit chairs, Lectures and Gallery Talks to bring in special items. Reports to Treasurer.
Newsletter Editor: Vacant- Gather articles from Committee Chairs, Directors, Office Manager, and President for newsletters. Report to Publicity Chair.
Docent Scheduler: John Edwards – Creates schedules for docents every three months. Reports to Membership Chair.
Librarian: Vacant – Organize Museum’s library holdings. Gather new books as they come up. Weed existing collection of materials that do not fit in our collecting policies. Report to Archives Director.
To Contact: Please email info@mahwahmuseum.org or call 201.512.0099.