Glenn,

I don't disagree with you in any way. Nor do I disagree with others who have
volunteered as students and couldn't afford to buy a membership (that can
apply to older people also), and I agree that volunteers should all be sent
newsletters. None of that is mutually exclusive to what I was saying.  There
are always exceptions, (churches find ways to be inclusive of people who
can't afford to pledge) but those who can afford to support the museum
should, just like those who can afford to support the church should.  I was
reacting to what sounded like an idea that volunteers in general shouldn't
have to be members. I still think that the giving adds to the feeling of
connection and ownership which is an important factor in keeping volunteers.

I can see why you reacted the way you did though, because, indeed,
volunteers should NOT have to pay to park while volunteering!!  (That would
end up being a whole lot more expensive than a basic membership!)

Lucy


-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Glenn A. Walsh
Sent: Friday, March 25, 2005 12:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Non-member volunteers and newsletter

Well, "an institutional culture of expectation" may be
nice, but I can tell you from years of experience with
volunteers: if the volunteer *perceives* they are not
being treated as they think they should be, you will
lose that volunteer.

One example: I worked for Pittsburgh's Carnegie
Science Center when they started public display of the
World War II submarine, the U.S.S. Requin [in the Ohio
River, next to the Science Center building]. The
Science Center was very successful in obtaining
volunteer assistance, from many members of the local
chapter of the submarine veterans group, to provide
tours of the submarine to the public [in fact, one of
the volunteer tour guides had actually *served* on the
U.S.S. Requin!].

Actually, the submarine tours began about a half-year
before the new Carnegie Science Center building opened
to the public--when the original Buhl Planetarium
building was still a public museum, a mile away.

Prior to the public opening of The Carnegie Science
Center, the submarine vet volunteers were able to park
free in the lot next to the new building, still under
construction. However, once The Carnegie Science
Center opened to the public, the parking lot became a
pay-lot, and everyone was expected to pay for
parking--even volunteers.

Well, there was an angry reaction to this parking fee
from nearly all volunteers. This angry reaction was
acute with the submarine vets--they felt that they
were giving their time for the submarine tours AND,
they had fought during World War II or in Korea to
keep America free--the least they should get is free
parking!

Well, eventually, arrangements were made to provide
free parking to volunteers at that time [today, ALL
parking is free].

It is true: "beggars cannot be choosers." If you want
volunteer help, you will have to make the
accomodations that satisfy the volunteers--and, often,
the volunteer decides what that accomodation should
be, or they do not stay.

gaw

>>>Original Message:
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 16:50:27 -0800 
From: "Lucy Sperlin" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Non-member volunteers and
newsletter 
To: [log in to unmask] 

Well, after three agreements with this viewpoint, I
really have to put 
in a
somewhat different point of view.  

Unless the volunteer is living on the edge
financially, I believe it is 
good
to have an institutional culture of expectation that
they are members. 
A
"Not required but everyone does" kind of thing. If
they care enough to
volunteer, they should care enough to support the
institution. I'm a
volunteer now (retired museum professional) so I've
been on both sides. 
Yes,
the institution could not do all it does without the
volunteer, and the
volunteer does make a huge contribution with the gift
of their time, 
but,
let's face it, it's like a church, it needs financial
support to exist
(well, mine does anyway). I'm getting quite a bit of
personal 
satisfaction
from my volunteer work, and I feel like it's the right
thing to do to 
give
money.

I think that there is a definite psychology of
'ownership' that goes 
with a
monetary contribution, even a small one, that is
important to have in a
volunteer for any number of reasons. I also know that
there are a lot 
of
expenses that accrue to having volunteers, everything
from insurance to
thank you cards, not to mention staff time to
supervise. 

All that aside, however, I'd just be kind of ashamed
if I wasn't 
helping the
organization in every way I can.

That said, I now wonder if there is a generational
difference to 
attitudes
in this question?  Is what we have been hearing the
voice of the "Me
Generation"?  Or am I just an old do-gooder?   OR is
there a difference 
that
comes with size of institution?  I expect volunteers
in smaller museums 
know
that lack of money makes it difficult for the museum
to be as good as 
it
would wish.  Perhaps in very large museums the
perception is different.

Lucy Sperlin

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On 
Behalf
Of Glenn A. Walsh
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2005 4:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Non-member volunteers and newsletter

I also agree with Steve.

To most people, there is nothing more valuable than
their time--particularly if they have limited
financial means. And, if they have greater financial
means, and they become loyal to your museum after some
time as a volunteer, they may become a member
anyway--they would be looking for every way, they can
afford, to help you!

I coordinated many volunteers when working at
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute
of Popular Science in the 1980s and early 1990s. One
thing I learned about volunteers is that they know
exactly what they are willing to do for an
organization on a volunteer basis, and what they will
not do. So, if you ask them to do too much, whether
financially, or ask them to spend more time than they
are willing, or ask them to do something they are not
interested in doing, you could well lose that
volunteer.

Once you produce a newsletter, it does not cost much
to duplicate a few more copies for the volunteers.
And, the volunteers will then feel more of a belonging
to the institution--which is exactly what you want!

gaw

gaw

Glenn A. Walsh
Electronic Mail - < [log in to unmask] > 
Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --
* Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh: 
  < http://www.planetarium.cc > 
* Adler Planetarium, Chicago: 
  < http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com >
* Astronomer & Optician John A. Brashear: 
  < http://johnbrashear.tripod.com > 
* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries: 
  < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc > 
* Duquesne Incline cable-car railway, Pittsburgh: 
  < http://www.incline.cc >

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