I agree completely with Allison's posting on membership.  It parallels
our approach to membership as the basic support for our small museum.
I would add that membership allows unlimited visits to the museum
which can offset the admissions charges, not to mention the three or
four members only exhibition openings each year, a discount at our
gift shop and, best of all, it shows positive support for this
cultural institution.  

We also encourage family membership and have numerous activities for
children. They are the future members and, as Allison wrote, as
members, they are the future donors and benefactors of the museum.

While convinced of the importance of membership for small museums, I
am not so sure the points apply equally to large museums.  Perhaps
others on the list can comment.

John A. Bing
Trustee, Laguna Art Museum


On Tue, 30 Jul 2002 10:04:48 -0400, you wrote:

>Our members pay an annual fee and receive various benefits in return.
>Although this is a quid pro quo-type of relationship, many people of lesser
>means view this as their philanthropic contribution, and in a sense, it is.
>In reality, most memberships cost the organization about $30 (considering
>the cost of any publications, mailings, etc.) and the average membership
>rate is $50. The majority of the membership gift is tax-deductible as well.
>    Once a healthy relaionship is established with a member, often they will
>become donors- whether it be through acquisitions, annual giving,
>sponsorship or endowment (to name a few options). Our members receive an
>annual gift appeal, as well, which asks for an additional gift to the
>general fund. Although the return is much smaller, many members take part in
>this appeal and do not receive any benefits in return.
>    I would be happy to discuss this further, if needed, on or off list.
>Good luck, Wendy.
>~Allison Ruppert
>
>Allison M. Ruppert
>Membership Coordinator
>Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
>1212 Smallman Street
>Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4200
>Telephone: (412) 454-6321
>Facsimile: (412) 454-6031
>[log in to unmask]
>www.pghhistory.org
>
>
>
>>From: "Wiener, Wendy" <[log in to unmask]>
>>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: Why we need members?
>>Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 15:30:38 -0400
>>
>>In an effort to help clarify terms in our development department of our
>>parent organization, how do you define "members" to your museum?  Why are
>>they important to your museum?  Has anyone recently started or stopped a
>>membership program, and why?  And, how and why do you distinguish donors
>>from members?  Any insight would be appreciated.
>>
>>Wendy Wiener
>>Curatorial Assistant
>>The Octagon
>>1799 New York Avenue, NW
>>Washington, DC 20006-5291
>>(202) 626-7369
>>(202) 879-7764 fax
>>www.theoctagon.org
>>
>

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