Actually, I currently work for an organization with about 3,500 members.
Prior to this, I worked for an organization with about 28,000 members.
John's query as to whether the (below) points apply to larger museums is
interesting. Although my approach and philosophy has basically remained the
same,the way members think does appear to be different between the two
organizations. Currently, I experience members who never visit, rarely read
the newsletter, etc. They continue to join because of their personal
interest in the health of the organization rather than their benefits. At my
former museum, I felt like benefits were equivillant to how many clowns can
you shove in a car at the circus. Visitors continued to ask, "what else,
what more". Although this mentality was driven out of personal interest,
they were extremely involved - sending their children to camp, taking adult
classes, dropping money like crazy in the shop, etc.
    I am going to be unconventional here, but instead of viewing your
members as a check, think of them as good employees, ones who have joined an
organization because they believe in their mission and are educated,
entertained and interested rather than just earning a paycheck. As an
employee would "grow" and produce more and better quality work, so too will
a member, either donating more money, upgrading their level of membership or
become more involved (i.e. attend the facility more often, purchase from the
shop, frequent programs, lectures, etc.). Sometimes, having members is also
beneficial to grants. Some funders are just as interested in how many
members an organization has (and their retention rate) as they would be in
demographics, such as how many seniors or school groups visit.

~Allison Ruppert


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

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


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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