Message-ID: <000a01c9e3a3$5aac3760$0201a8c0@Jensen> From: "Don Jensen" <dnjkenosha@wi.rr.com> Subject: Re: Museum visitor sign in log and donation container Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 11:58:29 -0500
Donation container -- Transparent, perhaps a fishbowl with slotted
cover, or a specially made clear plastic box with slot. Locate near
entrance but where it can be easily observed by attendant stationed near
door.
Transparent, and prime the donations with a number of $1 bills and a few
$5s or more. Visitors need to see that others have and do contribute
when they enter, which encourages them to follow suit or feel like a
cheapskate. Place a sign to encourage the appropriate donation, such
as "Suggested donation: $2 per person, or $5 per family." Include on
the sign something like "The XX Museum is supported entirely by
donations from visitors like you. We are a not-for-profit civic
organization not supported by tax revenues. Your contribution would be
greatly appreciated so we may continue to preserve and interpret the
history of XX" If you do get some funding from a city, village or
country, you can modify the wording to substitute "largely" for
"entirely," and noted that only 5% or 10% or whatever of your revenues
come from a grant from the governmental body.
Many people wrongly believe historical museums are already fully
supported by tax money.
You want to clearly convey the idea that 1. you need the money and 2.
while a donation is not required it is the right thing to do and that
most other people do contribute.and they SHOULD TOO. The subtle sense
of a donation being expected from a conscientious citizen should be
conveyed by the sign.
-Don Jensen
----- Original Message -----
From: Russell Hanson
To: localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 12:01 PM
Subject: Museum visitor sign in log and donation container
What do you have visitors enter on their sign in log at your museum.
We talked to a professsional fund raiser who said that capturing
"follow-up" information and then using it to solicit volunteers,
donations, was a very good way to get a list of people who were
interested.
Do you ask about interests, suggestions etc. Right now we are mostly
using it to count people through the door.
What works good for a donation container. Our old red-wing crock with
a wood top and slot definitely does not work. Do you have a sign that
says something about donating? A handout at the donation spot?
Thanks Russ Hanson
Luck Area Historical Society -- Our Museum is just finishing the first
year. Our current temporary exhibit is History of Photography and we
are moving to School history next.