Membership Matters

In this month’s edition of Performance Counts, Tracey Dorfmann, director of development, delves into why our members are so important – and how we say thank you. To read past editions of Performance Counts, click here. To read more posts by Tracey, click HERE.


Why is membership so important?

Despite reports and some national indicators in the 2000s that showed museum membership can trend downwards, at JMM we have found our membership numbers are consistent and strong year-to-year.  Membership can be a meaningful way to stay connected to our rich learning environment, to feel a sense of belonging to our community and to historic Baltimore. We have a total of 960 loyal sustaining memberships (which represents an even larger number of individuals) who are committed to our mission. Membership matters!

What does it mean to be a JMM member?

Memberships come with great benefits and opportunities: including free regular admission for a whole year, free admission to regular public programs, invitations to special events and programs, a discount at Esther’s Place (the JMM shop), and reciprocal admission to select Jewish and local history museums. But more importantly, being a JMM member means that you understand and support what we do here – not just collecting and preserving the stories of Jewish Maryland, but sharing them with the community in Baltimore, Maryland, and beyond. Being a JMM member means you make our work possible, from presenting stellar exhibits to engaging public programs to meaningful school field trip experiences, and so much more.

What are some specific initiatives for members?

JMM values our members, which is why over the past several months we implemented some membership growth and retention initiatives. Around Hanukkah, we sent our Members a special invitation to visit the Museum and pick up a unique and exclusive gift created just for them. 78 members did just that! And while they were here, they visited our galleries, historic synagogues, and enjoyed special programs and events.

We also reached out to members of our Museum family whose memberships had lapsed over the past three to five years. We invited them back, wanting to share everything that’s been going on at the Museum (including our blockbuster Inescapable: The Life and Legacy of Harry Houdini exhibit). Nearly 40 memberships were reestablished as a result. These returning members recognized the value of our thought-provoking exhibits, exploration of culture, and the social connection that a JMM membership brings.

We also talked in our November edition of JMM Insights about some of the benefits of membership – including new levels. If you missed that, you can read it on our blog here.

How do members support JMM?

Membership dues are unrestricted dollars, meaning that they support the annual operating costs of our museum. Much of the Museum’s other funding, like gifts and grants are directed to specific projects. Members make a tangible and positive impact at sustaining our day-to-day operations. Operating costs include everything from keeping the lights on to ensuring the grounds and building remain open and pristine, enabling visitors to enjoy our programs and learn with us five days a week. We also reach out to our members occasionally about special projects and initiatives they might like to support, like our current appeal to help purchase an auditory listening assistive system, which will help make our tours and programs more accessible to everyone in our family and community.

Thank you!
We value our members and will continue to share meaningful and evocative stories about the Jewish experience in Maryland and beyond. We are grateful for our membership family, which is why we are always looking to celebrate, whether through members-only events like last night’s Connected Threads reception or small thank-you’s like our gift initiative this past winter. We look forward to continuing to grow our JMM family.


Not yet a member – or know someone who you think should join the family? Share this link and help grow the family today!


 

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jewish museum of maryland JMM Blog

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