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<DIV>Hi Angi,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>You mention you are "losing the incentive for members to pay annual dues." Are you seeing a drop-off in membership revenues? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Do you currently have a specific membership campaign drive where your board and volunteers actively recruit members? And, do you have a clear idea of the projects and activities you will be working on over the next 12 to 18 months? Do you have a good communication plan that promotes what you are working on? If you said "yes" - you are in a good position to fundraise! If not, work on some of the areas you need improvement - they will all bolster your fundraising.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>A successful membership program begins with a good communication plan - keeping awareness of what your organization is working in the forefront. I also believe it is important to continue to sell the vision of what you want to accomplish so people fund the "cause" not because they get listed in a brochure. Think of some of the most successful donor organizations - like the Red Cross - they sell a specific cause. What people get in return is the ability to contribute financially to something they believe in. That's the approach I took during my eight years working at the local level and it worked! And, that was during some down economic years as well.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>With that said, from some of the sample brochures I have from other towns, here's the types of "benefits" they list (although not exclusive to members):</DIV>
<DIV>-We are working to revitalize the traditional, historic commercial district</DIV>
<DIV>-We work for you!</DIV>
<DIV>-legislative voice in issues that affect our downtown</DIV>
<DIV>-Expansion of customer base through promotions, special events, and internet</DIV>
<DIV>-Marketing and merchandising strategies</DIV>
<DIV>-Resources for business retention, expansion, and recruitment</DIV>
<DIV>-Educational seminars</DIV>
<DIV>-We refer people everyday to all businesses and services offered in our district</DIV>
<DIV>-Opportunities to network with fellow business owners</DIV>
<DIV>-physical improvements to downtown with the Streetscape project</DIV>
<DIV>-demonstration projects which improve the appearance of downtown</DIV>
<DIV>-downtown clean-ups and adopt-a-block program</DIV>
<DIV>-free design assistance for renovation projects</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Cheers, Sheri</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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<DIV>
<DIV>Sheri Stuart, Coordinator</DIV>
<DIV>Oregon Main Street</DIV>
<DIV>725 Summer St., Suite C</DIV>
<DIV>Salem, OR 97301</DIV>
<DIV>503.986.0679</DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.oregon4biz.com/Grow-Your-Business/Business-services/Main-Street/">http://www.oregon4biz.com/Grow-Your-Business/Business-services/Main-Street/</A></DIV>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">**CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE**<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">This e-mail may contain information that is privileged or confidential.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you are not the addressee or it appears from the context that you have received this e-mail in error, please advise me immediately by reply e-mail, keep the contents confidential, and immediately delete the message and any attachments from your system.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV><BR><BR>>>> Angi Ford <angi@sherwoodoldtown.com> 12/12/2011 1:45 PM >>><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Hi OMS ~</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>At our board meeting this morning we had a great discussion on being a membership based organization. As we have strived to implement the Main Street Approach (to offer our services to all within the Main Street District) we have started to lose the incentive for members to pay annual dues.</DIV>
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<DIV><STRONG>If you are a membership based organization, would you mind sharing with me the benefits your members receive that your non-paying members don't?</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>At this time, all of the services we offer seem to fall under the Main Street concept of encompassing all Main Street businesses, members or not. We are looking for incentives to keep up with the membership revenue source.<BR clear=all><BR>Thank you,<BR></DIV>
<DIV>Angi Ford, Sherwood Main Street</DIV>
<DIV>B.O.O.T.S. Coordinator</DIV>
<DIV>503.625.7800</DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.sherwoodoldtown.com/" target=_blank>www.sherwoodoldtown.com</A></DIV><BR></BODY></HTML>