Well, "an institutional culture of expectation" may be nice, but I can tell you from years of experience with volunteers: if the volunteer *perceives* they are not being treated as they think they should be, you will lose that volunteer. One example: I worked for Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center when they started public display of the World War II submarine, the U.S.S. Requin [in the Ohio River, next to the Science Center building]. The Science Center was very successful in obtaining volunteer assistance, from many members of the local chapter of the submarine veterans group, to provide tours of the submarine to the public [in fact, one of the volunteer tour guides had actually *served* on the U.S.S. Requin!]. Actually, the submarine tours began about a half-year before the new Carnegie Science Center building opened to the public--when the original Buhl Planetarium building was still a public museum, a mile away. Prior to the public opening of The Carnegie Science Center, the submarine vet volunteers were able to park free in the lot next to the new building, still under construction. However, once The Carnegie Science Center opened to the public, the parking lot became a pay-lot, and everyone was expected to pay for parking--even volunteers. Well, there was an angry reaction to this parking fee from nearly all volunteers. This angry reaction was acute with the submarine vets--they felt that they were giving their time for the submarine tours AND, they had fought during World War II or in Korea to keep America free--the least they should get is free parking! Well, eventually, arrangements were made to provide free parking to volunteers at that time [today, ALL parking is free]. It is true: "beggars cannot be choosers." If you want volunteer help, you will have to make the accomodations that satisfy the volunteers--and, often, the volunteer decides what that accomodation should be, or they do not stay. gaw >>>Original Message: Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 16:50:27 -0800 From: "Lucy Sperlin" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Non-member volunteers and newsletter To: [log in to unmask] 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 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!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ========================================================= 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).