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Friends
Groups
Notes from the Friends Support Group
January 2008 |
Friends Support Group
Notes | January 30, 2008
@ The Starr Library in Rhinebeck
Topic: Recruitment, Retention &
Revitiliation
Handouts:
Facilitated
Discussion Notes:
- Active vs. Contributing
members
- Different approaches
to "hook" each type
- All printed material
for joining should include check off options for people willing to volunteer
- Database of all members;
fields to indicate member preferences (don't want to be contacted other
than for renewal; those interested in volunteering; skills - i.e. computer
skills, baker, etc.)
- Dues" vs. "Contribution"
vs. "Membership"
- Does it matter what
it is called?
- Dues/membership implies
benefits; sends the message that a renewal will be forthcoming
- Contribution - no
strings attached; thanks for your support
- Think "annual
appeal vs. membership drive"
- "Membership has
its privileges": What are area groups "giving" in return for
membership?
- Book sale discount
- Early entry into
book sale
- Fines coupon (fines
waived once per year)
- Product discount
(friends bags, notecards, etc.)
- Homemade cookies
- Newsletter mailed
directly to members
- Survey of membership
levels
- Individual ranged
from $5 - 10
- Family ranged from
$10 - 25
- Business ranged from
$25 - 100
- LaGrange Friends
developed a window decal for businesses that indicated they were "Friends
of the Library"
- Senior option offered
in many cases
- Listing donors / members
in publications
- People like seeing
their name in print
- Must give the option
to be anonymous
- Spelling counts!
People get very turned off to your organization if their names are spelled
incorrectly (or are completely missing) from a printed donor list
- Timing of membership
renewal: Rhinebeck Friends just changed their membership drive / membership
renewal time of year to coincide with Library Lover's Month (February).
- Send out prompt acknowledgement
of a new membership / renewal
- Shows your appreciation,
that they're check matters, that they're involvement matters
- Chance to see if
someone wants to get more involved - let them know about upcoming events,
volunteer opportunities
- Keeping your group
on their radar (even if they don't want to be more involved than writing
a check)
- Don't confuse people
- Who the friends are
should be decribed in a brochure and online
- How to join the friends
should be crystal clear
- If both the Friends
and the board of the library are fundraising a calendar of events and
mailers should be agreed upon to minimize confusion and saturation of
the community
- Logo development
- Logo echo - Friends
logo should "echo" the library's logo - coordinate with the
director/board on logo development
- LaGrange example:
- Events
- "Raise a glass
before mass," Chatham Friends event held annually at the American
Legion hall which is next to the Catholic church on a Friday night around
4pm. Wine and hors d'oeuvres served for about an hour before mass at the
church begins. Built in audience of church go-ers and regular Friends
attend. Always pick up new members at the event; people look forward to
it annually and all have a good time.
- Piggyback with other
community events, i.e. community day, chamber of commerce events
- Include corporate match
reminder in annual appeal letter
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