A section 501(c)(6) organizations is a membership organization characteristically supported by dues. Although an organization may receive a substantial portion or even the primary part of its income from non-member sources, membership support, either in the form of dues paid to or involvement in the organization's activities, must be meaningful.
For this purpose, membership support includes the following items:
Amounts derived from performing the organization's exempt functions or from substantially related activities
Contributions from the general public
Unrelated income is excluded in measuring the extent of membership support. Thus, for example, dues from associate members are generally not considered.
Monday, November 3, 2008
For-Profit Tips For Non-Profit Email Membership
According to Winston Bowden, some non-profits may not be using the Internet as effectively as their corporate cousins.
What's missing? A good email marketing campaign. "Whether you're launching a membership drive, soliciting donations, or selling tickets to a fundraising event," he says, "email marketing can provide the biggest bang for your buck." He offers a few for-profit tips for non-profit emailers:
Build a contact list with names of members who have specifically requested information from your organization. Online sign-up forms are critical, but you can also use old-school techniques like sign-up sheets at events. Example: The Visual Art Exchange (VAE) has generated most of its contacts from visitors to the non-profit's downtown gallery.
Create buzz. Send subscribers regular updates about, say, an upcoming event. But each blast should tell them something new. Don't blanket them with irrelevant, untargeted messages.
Solicit feedback. Request feedback at the bottom of each message. Also, conduct reader surveys on a quarterly basis.
After implementing a basic email marketing strategy with tactics like these, VAE increased Web site traffic by 200 percent, increased its membership by 40 percent, and doubled its annual revenue.
The Po!nt: It's no sin for non-profits to use for-profit tactics when emailing. "By thinking like a marketer," says Bowden, "you … can help your non-profit grow its programs, services, and offerings."
Source: MarketingProfs.
What's missing? A good email marketing campaign. "Whether you're launching a membership drive, soliciting donations, or selling tickets to a fundraising event," he says, "email marketing can provide the biggest bang for your buck." He offers a few for-profit tips for non-profit emailers:
Build a contact list with names of members who have specifically requested information from your organization. Online sign-up forms are critical, but you can also use old-school techniques like sign-up sheets at events. Example: The Visual Art Exchange (VAE) has generated most of its contacts from visitors to the non-profit's downtown gallery.
Create buzz. Send subscribers regular updates about, say, an upcoming event. But each blast should tell them something new. Don't blanket them with irrelevant, untargeted messages.
Solicit feedback. Request feedback at the bottom of each message. Also, conduct reader surveys on a quarterly basis.
After implementing a basic email marketing strategy with tactics like these, VAE increased Web site traffic by 200 percent, increased its membership by 40 percent, and doubled its annual revenue.
The Po!nt: It's no sin for non-profits to use for-profit tactics when emailing. "By thinking like a marketer," says Bowden, "you … can help your non-profit grow its programs, services, and offerings."
Source: MarketingProfs.
Membership Recruitment & Retention
A GUIDE TAKEN FROM A WEB SITE TO USE AS A GUIDE IN GETTING AN ACTIVE PROGRAM IN PLACE
Membership is the backbone of any non-profit organization and recruitment and retention is the constant challenge facing every volunteer leader today. Work with each State and Chapter officers individually to evaluate the effectiveness of established programs and services and to explore new opportunities.
\BE prepared to:
Manage membership database; perform routine updates
Maintain vital historical and demographic data
Facilitate new member process - working closely with Membership Chair
Coordinate annual dues renewal process - in conjunction with the accounting department
Conduct membership recruitment and retention campaigns
Produce customized membership reports
Provide literature and product fulfillment services
Facilitate communications with members
Communication and Publication Services
Effectively communicating with your current members and your potential members is vital to the success of your organization. Know the importance of preserving the image of your organization in all promotional materials. From electronic newsletters to four-color printed magazines, web-based membership directories, and specialized brochures, Create a cohesive message that represents your members and the Advoccate group and their individual needs for how they are best served.
Howard McGowan
Malden Senior
Membership is the backbone of any non-profit organization and recruitment and retention is the constant challenge facing every volunteer leader today. Work with each State and Chapter officers individually to evaluate the effectiveness of established programs and services and to explore new opportunities.
\BE prepared to:
Manage membership database; perform routine updates
Maintain vital historical and demographic data
Facilitate new member process - working closely with Membership Chair
Coordinate annual dues renewal process - in conjunction with the accounting department
Conduct membership recruitment and retention campaigns
Produce customized membership reports
Provide literature and product fulfillment services
Facilitate communications with members
Communication and Publication Services
Effectively communicating with your current members and your potential members is vital to the success of your organization. Know the importance of preserving the image of your organization in all promotional materials. From electronic newsletters to four-color printed magazines, web-based membership directories, and specialized brochures, Create a cohesive message that represents your members and the Advoccate group and their individual needs for how they are best served.
Howard McGowan
Malden Senior
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