A member of the development dept. at a small art
museum where I was director of education had a great expression: "Your
membership (with it's discounts, perks and advantages) is your gift to yourself;
your donation to the annual fund is your gift to the museum."
I expect (and I am not a professional in
development) that membership comes first, but it is important to develop a long
view and move members into the category of "donors," no matter how modest that
donation may be.
Ellen B. Cutler
LNB Associates: Writing, Editing and Research
Services
Aberdeen, MD 21001