William's reply was right on.  Everyone knows that it isn't possible to
operate a museum with no funding.  We have a membership drive, a mid-summer
appeal to give to a fund drive in which a local foundation gives a bit of
matching money, and also an end of the year letter which is usually focused
on the maintenance and preservation needs of our historic buildings.  (We
notice that some people give to one, and some to the other, a few to both -
probably due to timing of their financial ability and inclinations, and some
just maintain a basic membership.)

 

We do have membership incentives that are minimal - 10% off in the museum
store and usually about $5 off the price of an occasional trip or tour type
program and they get monthly newsletters and a modest quarterly publication.
Mainly we just appeal to them that their support allows us to operate our
museum and archives which benefit the community.

 

Members-as-supporters is the simplest and most basic form of support for the
museum. Even if you are getting municipal or other funding to operate,
memberships are supporting you to do more.  Frankly, not having a membership
drive would look like someone is falling down on the job of supporting the
museum and enhancing its programs which is a basic Board responsibility.  If
you were to seek grant funding it just doesn't look good if you aren't
trying to do all you can to bring in support.

 

You say you have long time donors and supporters, which suggests that not
everyone expects to get something for their membership, and I think you're
right, it would be foolish to suspend a membership program if you have that
kind of supporters already. Do the membership drive, word the letter to show
that they 'get' something good for the community and between then and next
year perhaps implement some incentives to membership that are doable.  The
coffee hour is a great idea, and do open it up to anyone - you might get
more members.  

 

Lucy Sperlin

Butte County Historical Society

Oroville, CA

  _____  

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Hosley William
Sent: Monday, January 20, 2014 1:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Postponing Membership Drive for a Year

 

Would be helpful to know more about the museum. 

 

What folks get for their "Membership" is the satisfaction of knowing they
are supporting something worthwhile. While you may decide not to charge
admission - it is unreasonable not to invite donations at the door and
graciously convey that these things don't sustain themselves by accident. If
admission is free and there are no special member benefits i would suggest
either do one or two special members only events or programs/year or simply
change the terminology from members to benefactors and supports - with a
good strong annual and mid-year letter reminding folks why what you do
matters. Some small museums don't bother with an annual appeal. I think
that's a mistake. Moreover, if you do some programming try harvesting email
addresses you can add to an emailing list. Ditto for visitors who are
especially enthusiastic. A good Facebook page - good programs - are the glue
that hold these treasures together

 

Good luck

 

 

William Hosley
Terra Firma Northeast
860-944-8349 
NOTE: New email address
[log in to unmask]
Join us on Facebook "Creating Sense of Place",  "Housing History" and more
Skype - william.hosley
Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/billhosley

 

On Jan 20, 2014, at 3:53 PM, Sterling Jenson <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:





Greetings All, 

 

Currently, I am working with a small local history museum that does not
charge admission and trying to help it become more professional.  Right now,
I am working on what was the membership drive letter.  However, the board
decided that this year they would simply ask for donations rather than
seeking memberships because they do not know what they could offer as an
incentive to join at the moment.  Apparently, the board had heard several
times people asking them what they would receive for purchasing a
membership.  I was trying to take previous suggestions to the List by trying
to get a coffee hour set up for the members to discuss some of the details
behind the scenes; however, the board felt that was not enough to ask for
membership.  Therefore, they wanted to postpone requesting memberships until
the organization can offer something to its members. They liked the idea of
the coffee hour, but want to open it up to anyone who is interested.  As I
am rewriting the letter to incorporate this change, I am getting the fear
that this plan will backfire and cause long time supporters will not donate
this year nor renew their membership when we start it up again.  

 

What I would like to know is: Has anyone else dealt with a similar
situation?  Is my fear is unfounded?  Any suggestions on how to be
transparent to the public about the situation without coming across as if
the situation is dire at the museum?  

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Sincerely,

 

Sterling Jenson

 

  _____  

To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L
<http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1> &A=1 

 


  _____  

To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L
<http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1> &A=1 


=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).