William’s reply was right on.
Everyone knows that it isn’t possible to operate a museum with no
funding. We have a membership drive, a mid-summer appeal to give to a
fund drive in which a local foundation gives a bit of matching money, and also an
end of the year letter which is usually focused on the maintenance and
preservation needs of our historic buildings. (We notice that some people
give to one, and some to the other, a few to both – probably due to
timing of their financial ability and inclinations, and some just maintain a
basic membership.)
We do have membership incentives that are
minimal – 10% off in the museum store and usually about $5 off the price
of an occasional trip or tour type program and they get monthly newsletters and
a modest quarterly publication. Mainly we just appeal to them that their
support allows us to operate our museum and archives which benefit the
community.
Members-as-supporters is the simplest and
most basic form of support for the museum. Even if you are getting municipal or
other funding to operate, memberships are supporting you to do more.
Frankly, not having a membership drive would look like someone is falling down
on the job of supporting the museum and enhancing its programs which is a basic
Board responsibility. If you were to seek grant funding it just doesn’t
look good if you aren’t trying to do all you can to bring in support.
You say you have long time donors and
supporters, which suggests that not everyone expects to get something for their
membership, and I think you’re right, it would be foolish to suspend a
membership program if you have that kind of supporters already. Do the
membership drive, word the letter to show that they ‘get’ something
good for the community and between then and next year perhaps implement some
incentives to membership that are doable. The coffee hour is a great
idea, and do open it up to anyone – you might get more members.
Lucy Sperlin
From: Museum
discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hosley William
Sent: Monday, January 20, 2014
1:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Postponing
Membership Drive for a Year
Would be helpful to know more about the museum.
What folks get for their "Membership" is the satisfaction of
knowing they are supporting something worthwhile. While you may decide not to
charge admission - it is unreasonable not to invite donations at the door and
graciously convey that these things don't sustain themselves by accident. If
admission is free and there are no special member benefits i would suggest
either do one or two special members only events or programs/year or simply
change the terminology from members to benefactors and supports - with a good
strong annual and mid-year letter reminding folks why what you do matters. Some
small museums don't bother with an annual appeal. I think that's a mistake.
Moreover, if you do some programming try harvesting email addresses you can add
to an emailing list. Ditto for visitors who are especially enthusiastic. A good
Facebook page - good programs - are the glue that hold these treasures together
Good luck
William Hosley
Terra Firma Northeast
860-944-8349
NOTE: New email address
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On Jan 20, 2014, at 3:53 PM, Sterling Jenson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Greetings All,
Currently, I am working with a small local
history museum that does not charge admission and trying to help it become more
professional. Right now, I am working on what was the membership drive
letter. However, the board decided that this year they would simply ask
for donations rather than seeking memberships because they do not know what
they could offer as an incentive to join at the moment. Apparently, the
board had heard several times people asking them what they would receive for
purchasing a membership. I was trying to take previous suggestions to the
List by trying to get a coffee hour set up for the members to discuss some of
the details behind the scenes; however, the board felt that was not enough to
ask for membership. Therefore, they wanted to postpone requesting
memberships until the organization can offer something to its members. They
liked the idea of the coffee hour, but want to open it up to anyone who is
interested. As I am rewriting the letter to incorporate this change, I am
getting the fear that this plan will backfire and cause long time supporters
will not donate this year nor renew their membership when we start it up again.
What I would like to know is: Has anyone
else dealt with a similar situation? Is my fear is unfounded? Any
suggestions on how to be transparent to the public about the situation without
coming across as if the situation is dire at the museum?
Thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Sterling Jenson
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