StEPs-Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations
Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations (StEPs) is offered by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) as a self-study program designed specifically for small- to mid-sized history organizations, including volunteer-run institutions. Through a workbook, online resources, and an online community, organizations enrolled in StEPS assess their policies and practices and benchmark themselves against national museum standards.
The workbook is organized into six sections that can be used in any order, according to your organization’s individual needs and priorities, including:
- Mission, Vision, & Governance
- Audience
- Interpretation
- Stewardship of Collections
- Stewardship of Historic Structures & Landscapes
- Management
In each section, organizations can identify their current practice as Basic, Good, or Better. Each level has its indicators, allowing organizations to set realistic goals and tackle challenges in small, manageable steps. As you complete each level in the program, you earn certificates that demonstrate progress to communities, stakeholders, and funders.
Recent StEPs Lab Webinars included the following topics:
- Deaccessioning: The Devil’s in the Details
- Money Talks: How to Discuss Financial Information with Your Board
- Building Knowledge: Documentation on Historic Sites and Landscapes
- Risk Assessment and Management for Collections
- Copyright Crash Course for Museums and Memory Institutions
- Steps to Environmental Sustainability
Learn More About StEPs and Enroll. Enrollment is only $175, which includes the StEPs workbook.