We're about to do this after 15 years with no change.  So far, after that
long a time, everyone seems to understand it.  In fact, perhaps 40% of our
members have paid their annual dues "plus" for the last 2-3 years,
indicating their interest in helping the museum as much as they can.  Their
example has, I think, presented this coming "change" to the membership
quite effectively already. This is a rural area and word travels fast.  It
was only our board's reluctance to "make waves" that has delayed us.  And I
also know of a handful of members who will simply quit, but that's OK too.

Ross Weeks Jr.
Tazewell VA




> >
> > Hi.  We're in the midst of restructuring our membership
> > categories--increasing costs for each category and adding/changing
> > benefits.  Has anyone on the list been through this process and have
any
> > advice?  How did you present the changes to the membership?  Did you
try
> > to explain the increases?  And did you experience drop off in
membership
> > numbers?
> >
> > Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!
> >
> > Stacey Otte
> > Deputy Director
> > Catalina Island Museum
> > [log in to unmask]
>
> One of the first things I did when I came here is revamp membership
> categories and raise prices.  I combined that with an assertive campaign
> for new members and increased the membership at least 100% in the first
> six months.  It has leveled out at about 200% higher since then.
>
> A lot depends on your current following and how you explain the reasons
> for increasing dues.  Most of your contributors are probably intelligent
> enough to understand that your organization must raise enough money to
> support itself and to offer high-quality programs.
>
> One thing to think about:  if you raise your dues too high you will
> indeed lose some members.  Conversely, if your fees are reasonably low,
> you numbers will--if you sell hard--increase.  What you need to decide
> is, how much additional non-dues money can you generate--through
> programs and/or solicitations--from those who are paying higher dues as
> distinct from the larger group you might develop at lower dues.  I line
> up on the side of keeping dues as low as possible to generate an optimum
> number of members from whom I solicit additional contributions and who
> fill my auditorium when we have programs and buy things in the book
> store.  Striking that balance is difficult and sometimes requires a
> little experimentation.  It is tough, though, to lower you dues once you
> have raised them.
> --
> Bob Handy, Director
> Brazoria County Historical Museum
> Angleton, Texas
> http://www.bchm.org