Curious about how the Heard Museum Guild operates? Our Bylaws and Policies outline the key guidelines that help us run smoothly, covering everything from volunteer roles to privacy and event procedures. For more details, click the PDF below.

Guild Bylaws and Policies

The Heard Museum Guild manages its finances in collaboration with the Museum’s CFO and follows key approval processes for expenses, checks, and contracts. We proudly support American Indian students through our Endowment Fund and fund the Indian Arts and Crafts Association Award annually. Donations are welcome and can be designated to specific Guild programs. For more details, click the PDF below.

Guild Finances

In 1956, 30 women formed an Auxiliary to the Heard Museum with the goals of supporting the mission of the Museum, providing financial assistance, and conducting guided tours of the Museum’s collection. Founding President Helen Shackelford said of the role of Heard Guild volunteers: “Much needed doing, and we did it.”

The Guild grew exponentially in its first years, adding many new members, projects, and responsibilities. Volunteers opened a Gift Shop in 1958 “pledging to sell only the good, the authentic.” Also in that year, the first Indian Fair was held, and in 1968 the Heard Guild Arts & Crafts Exhibit was created as a juried competition. These two events were the basis of the current Indian Fair & Market, the Guild’s main fund-raising event. Men, including Senator Barry Goldwater, joined the Guild in 1972. Over the years, programs including Speakers Bureau, Information Desk, Student Art Sale, Library Book Sale, Scholarships and Grants, Trips, Lecture Series, and more were conceived, planned, and implemented by the vast talents of Guild volunteers.

The Guild President, elected by the Guild membership, presides at Guild meetings, represents the Guild at Museum Board of Trustee meetings, and, as an ex officio member of all Guild committees, generally supervises all Guild activities.

2024-2025      Shelley Mowry
2022-2024      John Miller
2020-2022      Jane Przeslica
2018-2020      Sue Snyder
2016-2018      Mary Endorf
2014-2016      Susan Kolman
2012-2014      Rod Passmore
2011-2012      Lucille Shanahan
2009-2011      Edna Weinberg
2008-2009      Ann Gorton
2007-2008      Jerry Bryan

The Fair Chair is arguably one of the most challenging and time-consuming jobs that the Guild offers to its volunteers. Responsible for managing every aspect of the annual Indian Fair & Market, the Fair Chair coordinates all Fair activities and supervises dozens of committees and hundreds of volunteers.  For a full description of all the Fair Chair’s responsibilities, click here.

2024      Jane Sanford, Frank Vickory
2023      Jane Sanford, Frank Vickory
2022      Mary Endorf, Jackie Stubbs
2021       Anna Flynn
2020      Anna Flynn
2019      Anna Flynn
2018      Shelley Mowry
2017      Shelley Mowry
2016      Pat Kilburn
2015      Pat Kilburn
2014      Pat Kilburn
2013      David Newark
2012      David Newark
2011       John Miller
2010      John Miller
2009      Barbara Johnson
2008      Barbara Johnson
2007       Valerie Lucas/David Rothberg
2006      Dave Dolge
2005      De Bachmann
2004      De Bachmann
2003      Phyllis Noone
2002      Phyllis Noone
2001      Jean Timmer

Guild Communication Chair

The Guild Communication Chair is appointed by the Guild President to serve as the primary liaison between the Guild Board, event Chairs, and the Heard Museum staff responsible for membership and marketing. This role ensures effective communication and coordination of Guild activities, promoting engagement among members and the public.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all Guild print and e-mail communications.
• Maintain content for the bi-weekly newsletter, Happening Now.
• Manage general Guild publicity and coordinate social media content.
• Ensure proper submission processes for events and publications.

For detailed guidelines on responsibilities, submission requirements, and communication protocols, please refer to the PDF document.

Education Programs Coordinator
The Education Programs Coordinator is chosen by the Guild President and plays a vital role in connecting the Heard Museum (HM) Guild Board of Directors with various Education Programs committee chairs. This person also works closely with the Heard Museum’s Education Department to support and enhance educational offerings for all.
Guild Education Coordinator

• Heard Guild Monthly Meetings Speaker Chair: Helps bring exciting, engaging speaker events to Guild members, promoting learning and fostering a sense of community.
• Heard Guild Presents: Marquee Artists Series Chair: Organizes special presentations by talented Native American artists, open to Heard Museum and Guild members, as well as the public.
• Heard Guild Travel Chair: Plans fun and informative trips to fascinating destinations, primarily in the Southwest. These trips often include overnight stays and are a great way for Guild members to explore new places (with priority access!).
• Heard Guild Explores Chair: Organizes interesting and educational day trips for Guild members and their guests, giving everyone a chance to enjoy local adventures.
• Heard Guild Short Courses Chair: Selects captivating speakers for the Guild’s educational Short Courses, focusing on Indigenous groups of the Southwest, along with other relevant and timely topics related to the Heard Museum.
• Heard Guild Special Training Classes Chair: Helps organize important training sessions for Guild volunteers, ensuring everyone is well-prepared and informed about the Museum’s needs and programs.

Guild Social Programs Coordinator

The Guild Social Programs Coordinator is appointed by the Guild President and serves as a voting member of the Guild’s Board. The Coordinator oversees several committees and acts as a bridge between the Board and the committees to ensure everything runs smoothly.

• Hospitality Committee Chair: Coordinates delicious food and beverages for various Guild events.
• Guild Holiday Brunch Committee Chair: Organizes a festive potluck meal, celebrating holiday traditions and honoring Guild members who have provided lifetime service.
• Staff Appreciation Lunch Committee Chair: Plans the Guild’s special lunch to thank the wonderful Heard Museum staff for their incredible support.
• Katsina Doll Marketplace Hospitality Committee Chair: Provides a warm continental breakfast and a light lunch for artists and their families at the Katsina Doll Marketplace.
• Holiday Art Sale Committee Chair: Arranges the art sale that takes place during the Guild Holiday Brunch, offering unique art pieces for sale.
• Guild Photographer: Captures photos and media at important Guild events.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Coordinator position or joining one of the committees, feel free to reach out to the Guild Social Programs Coordinator at guildprograms@heardguild.org.

Indian Fair & Market Chair

The Indian Fair & Market Chair (Fair Chair) oversees all aspects of the annual Indian Fair & Market. Supported by a Steering Committee, the Fair Chair appoints various Fair Committee Chairs and forms additional ad hoc committees when needed.

To volunteer for any of the committees, please contact the Fair Volunteer Placement Chair.

Artist Committees

• Artist Exhibitors Committee: Focuses on artist exhibitor arrangements.
  • Demonstrators and Non-Profits Committee: Coordinates demonstrators and non-profits.
  • Artists Hospitality Committee: Provides a welcoming experience for participating artists.
• Monitors: Ensures smooth event operations.
  • Booth Relief: Supports artists by providing booth relief.

Cultural Performances Committee

• Organizes performances that enrich the Fair’s cultural experience.

Best of Show Committees

• Juried Competition: Manages artist competition and awards.
• Juried Competition Award Sponsors
• Best of Show Dinner/Reception Committee: Plans the celebratory dinner and reception.
• Best of Show Security Committee: Ensures security at the Best of Show event.

Fundraising Committees

• Admissions: Oversees Fair entry and ticketing.
• Fair Drawings: Organizes prize drawings to raise funds for the event.

Logistical Operations Committees

• Staging: Coordinates event setup and staging.
• Signage: Manages signage for the Fair.

Food & Beverage Committee

• Ensures a variety of food and beverage options are available during the Fair.

Support Committees

• “Ask Me” Stations: Provides helpful information to Fair attendees.
• Volunteer Placement: Helps volunteers find the right role.

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The Guild Membership Services Coordinator is appointed by the Guild President and serves on the Guild Board. With the help of at least one volunteer, the Coordinator ensures all aspects of Guild membership run smoothly.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing creative ways to grow Guild membership.
• Sending membership packets to new members after a welcoming letter is sent by the Technology Committee.
• Ordering name badges for members.
• Organizing new member orientation meetings at least twice a year, which include introductions to committee heads and a tour of the Heard Museum.
• Keeping the Guild Room stocked and organized, including water supplies and updated files.

For a detailed list of responsibilities, check out the Guild Membership Services Coordinator job description linked above.

Interested in learning more or lending a hand on the committee? Reach out to the Membership Chair at membership@heardguild.org.

The Museum Services Coordinator is appointed by the Guild President and serves on the Guild Board. This role involves overseeing a range of key activities:

• Museum Shop Board Chair: Leads a team that recruits, trains, and schedules volunteers to collaborate with the paid staff in the Museum Shop and Bookstore.
• Library & Archives Liaison: Works under the guidance of the Heard Museum’s Library & Archives Director to support the vital functions of a research library.
• Information Desk Chair: Recruits, trains, and schedules volunteers who provide a warm welcome and assistance to visitors at the Information Desk.

Interested in learning more about the role of Museum Services Coordinator or how you can contribute? Please contact the Coordinator at museumservices@heardguild.org.

The Guild Strategic Planning Committee, led by the Strategic Planning Chair, is responsible for creating action plans to support the Guild’s strategic initiatives.

The Strategic Planning Chair:

• Collaborates with the Guild Board and President to align assignments with strategic plan initiatives and action plans.
• May lead specific initiatives as assigned by the Guild Board or President.
• Works with Museum staff and Guild members to track progress, address issues, and ensure the success of the strategic plan.
• Oversees the Guild’s strategic planning committee.
• Provides monthly updates on the status of the strategic plan.
• May also help coordinate Guild projects that fall outside of the Heard Museum’s strategic plan.

If you’re interested in joining the Guild Strategic Planning Committee, please reach out to the Strategic Planning Chair at strategicplanning@heardguild.org.

The Guild Technology Committee is like the IT department for the Heard Museum Guild! Led by the Technology Chair, this team manages the Guild’s software, computer resources, and helps keep everything running smoothly. Here’s a glimpse of what we do:

• Create and maintain a 5-year plan for Guild information technology needs.
• Set and oversee IT standards for the Guild.
• Manage the Guild’s digital tools and software.
• Plan and budget for tech needs each year.
• Provide tech support for Membership, Las Guias, Information Desk, and the Museum Shop.
• Maintain our MS Access databases for Artists and Youth Art.
• Support the Guild’s website and social media.
• Coordinate with Heard Museum staff on IT plans and solutions.
• Recruit and guide members of the Technology Team on different projects.

The best part? Most of the work can be done from home and only takes a couple of hours a week! All you need is a computer, an Internet connection, and a willingness to learn. We’ll provide all the training you need to be up and running in no time!

Ready to join us? Reach out to the Technology Management Chair at techchair@heardguild.org for more info.

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