Erin and Others,

When I was at the Illinois State Historical Society, we had a lifetime
membership category.  We did not have an age restriction but the cost was
equivalent to 25 years of annual membership dues at the current rate, and
that is the key.  The benefit is that it's a nice large lump some of cash
for endowment, etc. where you can try and use the interest as membership
income.  However, they are still paying the price for those who became
lifetime members 40 years ago and paid something like $10 for it.  We were
obviously losing money on those people.

Harry Klinkhamer

Harry Klinkhamer
Program Officer
AASLH
1717 Church Street
Nashville, TN  37203-2991
[log in to unmask]
PHONE: 615-320-3203
FAX: 615-327-9013
www.aaslh.org


-----Original Message-----
From:   Becker County Historical Society [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Wednesday, September 19, 2001 4:19 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Lifetime Memberships

I have had suggestions from my board regarding creating a lifetime
membership category. This would be available to members 65 and older, and
would be a one-time donation for which they would receive all the benefits
of membership for the rest of their lives. This seems to me to be a bad
idea for several reasons, but I am curious as to what others think. Has
anyone else had experience with this issue, or actually implemented a
lifetime membership category? If so, what was your experience? Pros and
cons, etc.?

Thanks,

Erin McMillan
Assistant Director
Becker County Historical Society
P.O. Box 622
Detroit Lakes, MN 56502
(218) 847-2938
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