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

>>>Original Message:
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 17:18:20 EST 
From: "Stephen C. Shisler" <[log in to unmask]>  Add to
Address Book 
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Non-member volunteers and
newsletter 
To: [log in to unmask] 

Trying to convert all volunteers could result in
losing some potential volunteers or members.  Some
people want to give only their time, and some people
only want to give money.  Some people may want to give
both, but aren't able to give both for any number of
reasons.  If you try to insist that people can't give
your organization one without the other, you'll
probably have people walking away instead of giving
you their time and money.  That's how I am -- every
place I've ever volunteered I've only been interested
in being a volunteer, and having something to do. 
About twenty years ago I asked one museum about
becoming a volunteer, and I was giving a brochure
about becoming a member.  My reaction was "you mean I
have to pay this place, for the chance to volunteer?"
and I walked off instead of volunteering.  I refuse to
pay for the chance to donate my time.  If any money is
going to change hands, I'm going to be on the
receiving end -- not the person paying the money.  I
imagine that many people feel the same way, about an
organization refusing to take only time or only money.
 
Steve Shisler

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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