From: "Monette Bebow-Reinhard" <grimm1@bayland.net> Subject: RE: Museum visitor sign in log and donation container Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:16:23 -0500 Message-ID: <004001c9edd4$a0a99dd0$e1fcd970$@net>
I agree - I give life memberships only to those who've made a considerable
contribution to the museum in lieu of money - for instance, I've had people
cleaning and fixing things inside and not charging. I make them lifetime,
because I hope to be able to call on them again in some manner!
I will be re-doing our membership dues based on a higher charge for those
who get their newsletters in the mail. People who take it by email should
get a membership at reduced fee.
Monette
From: localhistory-request@listserve.uwec.edu
[mailto:localhistory-request@listserve.uwec.edu] On Behalf Of Nancy Frank
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 12:10 AM
To: localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
Subject: Re: Museum visitor sign in log and donation container
Paul -
Glad you put this information out, and I will piggy-back one suggestion.
Consider carefully before having a Life Member category. Studies show that
it makes people feel like they never have to give again. Unless the number
is a REALLY large one, I would advise against it. Just my opinion, and
would gladly hear other points of view.
Nancy
Nancy Frank
On Jun 9, 2009, at 10:03 PM, Paul Wolter wrote:
This is kind of related to the donation jar discussion...but the best thing
we ever did was make membership categories above just basic. Our basic
individual membership is $20 (don't sell yourself short here either...the
cinema these days is roughly half of that!) and then we have a family
membership at $35 and then other categories like Friend - $50, Supporting -
$100, Patron - $250...right on up to $5,000+
We don't give any coffee mugs or mouse pads or anything special to the upper
levels. They just get their name in a different category in the newsletter
list of new and renewed members. (we do invite our $100 and up members to a
special Christmas social)
We discovered that people will almost never fill in a membership form as a
basic member ($20) and fill in the "Donation" line with an extra $80. What
they will do however is sign up at the $100 level because it is there and
there a little box to check next to it. It has worked like a charm for us.
If you can come up with incentives all the better I guess but we have not
found a need. Plus some people are turned off by the "free" gift you are
sending to them at upper levels when we all know that it cost something.
(money which many people would rather see put to good use in the
organization)
Another point while I am on the subject...you must have an aggressive
membership retention program (i.e. renewal letters, thank you for joining
letters etc.) If they don't respond to a membership renewal letter the
first time, try it again in a few months. If they don't respond after a year
drop them off your list and for heaven's sake don't give away newsletters to
people that aren't in relatively good standing. They'll never renew if
there getting the newsletter for free anyway.
Donation boxes are great but you must tell visitors that donations are
greatly appreciated. Don't expect too many people to give just because it's
there. We all have to be unafraid to ask. Also push membership at that time.
Paul Wolter
Sauk County Historical Society