Update from our CEO | December 2023 | Tempus fugit!
Dear Friend of the Museum,
Tempus fugit!
It was a year ago that I announced my retirement and on December 31, I am doing it.
Over the last 14 years, I have tried to send a note out a few times a year to not only tell you what the Discovery Museum was doing, but more importantly, why we were doing it. I have written about topics such as difficult behaviors and civility, sustainability, mental health, equity, science denial, generosity and kindness, representation, accessibility, dealing with trauma, and being a helper. But looking back, the one topic that resonates with me was one we explored in the midst of the pandemic: the idea that it's really the small things that are going to be the big things.
Ok, what was I talking about? By small things, I was talking about simple, almost commonplace, experiences. I was talking about exploration and discovery in the company of friends and family. It was about play, indoors and outdoors. It was about smiling, and sharing, and meeting someone new. It was about seeing and experiencing role models, and about small ways to take action on something you care about.
Why am I writing about small things? As I am reflecting on 14 years people have asked me what I am most proud of. They ask about reshaping the Discovery Museum campus, doubling our building size, building a treehouse, installing an enormous solar array over our parking lot, and similar highly visible changes. Yes, I am proud of that work and thankful for how all of you have helped make those changes a reality. But in the end, it is the smaller things that will have the lasting impact.
I believe that small things done consistently and intentionally have a big impact. And if we want to address the big issues that I mentioned above, then we, and by this I mean the Discovery Museum and all the museums like us, need to not try to create big solutions, but really focus on creating a place where important small things happen all the time. A place where all kids (and their families) can have an extraordinary experience in all its ordinariness.
What will be the cumulative impact of all these little experiences? We hope that it will be kids who are creative and curious, for sure, but also kids who are empathetic, caring, cooperative problem solvers, and ready for the world—kids who are ready to be change-makers. I hope that they are not waiting for the future but creating the future.
So speaking of the future, it is time for me to face it. It goes without saying that leaving Discovery Museum is hard for me—it has been the last 14+ years of my life and a professional and personal blessing for me. I have a lot to take with me in memories and emotions. I have been fortunate to have worked with an incredible staff and very dedicated Board of Directors. I have enjoyed the colleagues around the country and world who I have gotten to know and respect. I have had the chance to see literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of kids and families have incredible moments together, and I've seen that happen for many families who might have missed out on that experience but for our dedication to opening our doors for all. I have seen this museum—small by some standards—set examples around accessibility, connecting kids with the natural world, inclusion, sustainability, compassion for others, and growing young minds that has made us a leader in our field.
While I won’t get to do that work each day anymore, I know the commitment to these purposes runs deep at the Museum and will just keep on happening. And I know that passion is at the heart of the next Discovery Museum CEO, Marie Beam.
Over her nearly ten years of leadership here as Chief Development Officer, Marie has demonstrated a deep commitment and passion for our work and has been a remarkably effective advocate of all that the Museum values. Marie brings a vision for our future that builds upon Discovery Museum’s many accomplishments with an eye towards the issues affecting kids and families today and in the future. I am enthusiastic about the strength of her leadership ability, her steadfast belief in the values of the Museum, her vision of how we can support all kids and families in their healthy development, and so much more.
Join me mbeam [at] discoveryacton.org (in wishing Marie) all the best wishes for her personal happiness and success and for her vision for the Discovery Museum.
And again, thank you for all your support—for all the little things we do, for all my 14 years, and for all the amazing years ahead.
And with that, I am done. But for one last time, let me know what you think at ngordon [at] discoveryacton.org (ngordon[at]discoveryacton[dot]org).
Be well,
Neil Gordon
CEO