From: Susan McLeod <From: Susan McLeod <SMcLeod@cvmuseum.info> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:05:46 -0500 Subject: RE: Museum visitor sign in log and donation container Message-ID: <8A4A3746C20B654583739F7385939C2901B3F7F45E@SBS-SRV.cvm.local>
Hi, Everyone. At the Chippewa Valley Museum, a Life Membership is an endowm
ent gift. The amount is set by formula: 20 times the annual fee for the sam
e level. This is based on the assumption (certainly not true at the moment,
but generally true) that over time investment will produce an average of 5
% annually. We do not spend the principal so the Life Membership creates a
n on-going source to continue the value of the gift.
We stay in touch with Life Members in other ways and make other kinds of re
quests (capital, special project). The Life Members are among the strongest
supporters of these other campaigns. A number have added to their original
gifts to reach another level.
Cheers, Susan
________________________________
From: localhistory-request@listserve.uwec.edu [ [localhistory-request@listser
ve.uwec.edu] On Behalf Of Monette Bebow-Reinhard [grimm1@bayland.net]
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 11:16 AM
To: localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
Subject: RE: Museum visitor sign in log and donation container
I agree – I give life memberships only to those who’ve made a considera
ble contribution to the museum in lieu of money – for instance, I’ve ha
d people cleaning and fixing things inside and not charging. I make them l
ifetime, 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 w
ho get their newsletters in the mail. People who take it by email should g
et 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. C
onsider 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 wo
uld 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 ind
ividual membership is $20 (don't sell yourself short here either...the cine
ma these days is roughly half of that!) and then we have a family membershi
p at $35 and then other categories like Friend - $50, Supporting - $100, Pa
tron - $250...right on up to $5,000+
We don't give any coffee mugs or mouse pads or anything special to the uppe
r levels. They just get their name in a different category in the newslette
r 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 t
here 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 f
ound a need. Plus some people are turned off by the "free" gift you are sen
ding to them at upper levels when we all know that it cost something. (mone
y 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 membe
rship retention program (i.e. renewal letters, thank you for joining letter
s etc.) If they don't respond to a membership renewal letter the first tim
e, try it again in a few months. If they don't respond after a year drop th
em off your list and for heaven's sake don't give away newsletters to peopl
e that aren't in relatively good standing. They'll never renew if there ge
tting the newsletter for free anyway.
Donation boxes are great but you must tell visitors that donations are grea
tly appreciated. Don't expect too many people to give just because it's the
re. We all have to be unafraid to ask. Also push membership at that time.
Paul Wolter
Sauk County Historical Society