Message-ID: <001901c9eee3$72ff4a50$5c555b40@xpsux> From: "Sylvia & Paul" <cen73683@centurytel.net> Subject: Re: Museum visitor sign in log and donation container Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:34:58 -0500
----- Original Message -----
From: Marcie Braski
To: localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 7:52 AM
Subject: Re: Museum visitor sign in log and donation container
Donations are sometimes better for the donor. They can use it for a
charitable deduction whereas memberships are not. Maybe note somewhere
that they should ask for a receipt.
Marcie, Knox Creek Heritage, Brantwood
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Wolter
To: localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 10:03 PM
Subject: Re: Museum visitor sign in log and donation container
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