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 > __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ ========================================================= 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).