Hi, Karen

In my experience, you don't need to justify minor increases like you
describe.  We've made jumps in rates in the past without a lot of
fanfare and it's worked out great!  I have found that some people (very
few) continue to join at lower rates, and we've let them slide for a
year, just to be pleasant about it.  Chances are by the next year,
they'll just write a check for whatever the new rate is.  I have also
found that upgrading the look of the membership piece has helped a lot.
Get the best looking piece you can afford...people really do tend to
judge a book by its cover.

Good luck!

Stacey Otte
Executive Director
Catalina Island Museum

-----Original Message-----
From: Nicholas Burlakoff [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 4:15 PM
Subject: Re: Membership Rates


The board of directors is the ultimate authority in a non-profit. Unless
they direct staff to do something illegal their board decision must be
followed whether one likes the decision or not. While I would have tried
to persuade the board to promote this raise in rates as a membership
benefit, if they decided to just publish it you need to comply. If I
were on your board and you disobeyed the directives of the board, I
would do what I could to find you other employment opportunities. Boards
and board members (many of who are generous contributors) do not like to
be second-guessed. PeaceNick

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Karen Smith
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 3:39 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Membership Rates

Hi everyone,
My board just raised our membership rates from $20 to $30 for an
Individual and from $30 to $45 for a Family membership and added some
additional benefits. They want me to just change these amounts on the
return form without any explanation of the rate change in the renewal
letter. They maintain that people don't know how much they have paid in
the past and they won't even question it. I think this is rather sly - I
think we should be upfront with our members and explain the rate
increase and the benefits. What does everyone think? Thanks, Karen Smith
Chadds Ford Historical Society

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