I have been at several institutions that encouraged staff to donate as Lucy describes below, to signify staff support for the institution. It wasn't tied to a dollar amount but instead to overall staff participation, so that the institution could point to a high percentage of staff support of an exhibit or operations, etc. It's different from the membership pseudo-requirement (which I do find uncomfortable), in that it doesn't put a price tag on what support looks like. Margaret W. Hughes Education Manager Historic Hudson Valley 639 Bedford Road Pocantico Hills, NY 10591 914.591.8763 x15 www.hudsonvalley.org >>> Lucy Sperlin <[log in to unmask]> 5/31/2015 7:45 PM >>> I’ve been following this thread with mixed feelings and a bit surprised. As I recall, some years ago (perhaps 15 or 20) presenters at fundraising sessions at AAM and regional organizations, were suggesting the necessity of evidence of “staff support” in writing funding proposals (everything from grants to annual appeals) on the premise that it created a show of “value” of the institution --i.e. ‘….If staff doesn’t believe in the value of their own institution as shown by financial support, then why should others?’ It would not have been spoken of as a dollar amount but as a percent of staff who donated, so presumably a member could give $5 and have it count. I had mixed feelings about it then, too, but in some instances it might have its merits…… Lucy Sperlin Retired. From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Webster Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 11:54 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Staff asked to become Members? While it is not a common model for cultural institutions, I worked for a university where staff was solicited to contribute to the endowment or annual fund by payroll deduction (and with the accompanying tax deduction that could be yours...) It was not expected, but development staffs do often try to include any and all in the support base (I did contribute while employed at a modest level and even though long-gone, I still get mailings, decades later...) The expectation that a staff member should become a member should not have the tinge of a 'loyalty' test where they are expected to contribute as an expression of their commitment to the mission of the institution. David On Sat, May 30, 2015 at 11:38 AM, Anna Bassford-Woods <[log in to unmask]> wrote: I agree that the employees contribute enough as it is, but the museums I have worked in I felt like it was an unwritten rule kinda that employees were expected to be members. So I don't feel like the practice is that unusual. Anna On May 30, 2015 10:10 AM, "Robert Wolfe" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: It seems unusual. I have worked at a museum where board members had to pay annual dues. But I feel like staff contribute enough to the organization to not need to buy a membership. If it's that important, just pay them 30$ less a year. But no. That seems unusual to me and it would make me uncomfortable as well. -Robert Sent from my iPhone On May 30, 2015, at 8:59 AM, Amy Kelch <[log in to unmask]> wrote: I work at a small museum that asks its employees to purchase museum memberships. It is not required, but almost all staff and the board are paying members of the museum. This practice seems to barely toe the ethical line, especially since several staff have expressed discomfort about being asked. Has anyone else encountered this issue or know of any readings or museum ethical codes that speak to this issue? I am looking for something to reference since this is something new to me. Thanks! 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