|
|
Posts: 43
Location: Waite Park, MN | This past Saturday I spent the day at the MI annual board meeting that was held up at Craguns. I've heard so many mixed messages about the board and the organization as a whole, that I felt the best thing I could do was not pre-judge but instead listen, learn and form my own opinion.
After 8 hours of meetings, I am firmly convinced that even with a lot of imperfections, the board of Muskies, Inc. is trying to do the best they can to carry out their mission, with a lot of passion -- as much as we exhibit when we're on the water. Yup, the biggest, most contentious point was the budget, but it's because there's so much to do with so little.
I'd suggest the biggest challenge and the best solution is found in membership -- people joining and maintaining their membership. There's a huge number of people that have let their $36 membership lapse, and that is the primary source of funds to keep the organization going. I hope that musky hunters give serious consideration spending what is the price of one lure to join/renew their membership.
I'm simply a member a member of MI that believes in the sport of musky hunting, that wants MN to be a leader in being a world class fishery and would like to have others have the same experience here in MN and elsewhere. Muskies, Inc. is our best chance at having unified efforts to make this happen. I hope you consider being an M.I. member if you aren't already, and if you are, help find the next member! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | cyberfish - 4/27/2014 7:31 PM
There's a huge number of people that have let their $36 membership lapse, and that is the primary source of funds to keep the organization going.
Bingo! … now all they have to do is figure out why that happens
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 175
| Johnnysled - I am interested. Why do you think people lapse? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 9
Location: Leech Lake | Twice my membership lapsed because I was never notified that it was expiring....or had ... DU for example sends you a letter with Membership about to expire in Big letters on the outside of the envelope....follow up letters occur if not renewed. For a much smaller organization such as MI a personal phone call to non renewals or even to past members from several years ago would be another Idea for volunteers to try to do. |
|
| |
|
Location: Sawyer County, WI | Why not try pitching a "Sustaining Member" concept like WPR does ?
The member pays for the annual membership with a credit card, and agrees that future renewals will be billed to the same credit card on the membership's anniversary date. Should the member wish to end membership they can call in and cancel the automatic billing to their account. That would eliminate "forgotten" renewals for those who choose to sign up to this option.
Edited by dfkiii 5/3/2014 10:17 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 3
| RENEWAL NOTICES -This is exactly what we are doing. Samples were available at the meeting, if he isn’t getting then maybe his address is incorrect and it’s not getting to him. My number is in all the publications members with issues are encouraged to call. Here are the samples of the new program started in 2014 – 5 touch points:
90 Day Prior Email:
60 Day Notice Mailing:
30 Day Notice Mailing:
Last Notice Mailing:
30 Day After Email:
I will try to attached a sample of the last notice mailing.
Prior contract was only 3 touch points and not as bold or forward looking by any means.
Chapters are offered the option to directly contact members monthly and Chapter 6 does a great job of this, others not so much. Information is available for each chapter t make such contacts over and above what we are doing on a national level.
I hope this helps explain some from the point of view of those managing the system. I am not one to get onto forums all that often but here is my direct contact information, all ideas are welcome and will be forwarded to the appropriate VP.
Ellen M Wells
Administrative Secretary
Muskies, Inc
1509 Stahl Road
Sheboygan, WI 53081-8894
888-710-8286 Toll Free
[email protected]
www.muskiesinc.org
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 3
| RENEWAL NOTICES -This is exactly what we are doing. Samples were available at the meeting, if he isn’t getting then maybe his address is incorrect and it’s not getting to him. My number is in all the publications members with issues are encouraged to call. Here are the samples of the new program started in 2014 – 5 touch points:
90 Day Prior Email:
60 Day Notice Mailing:
30 Day Notice Mailing:
Last Notice Mailing:
30 Day After Email:
I will try to attached a sample of the last notice mailing. - too large...
Prior contract was only 3 touch points and not as bold or forward looking by any means.
Chapters are offered the option to directly contact members monthly and Chapter 6 does a great job of this, others not so much. Information is available for each chapter t make such contacts over and above what we are doing on a national level.
I hope this helps explain some from the point of view of those managing the system. I am not one to get onto forums all that often but here is my direct contact information, all ideas are welcome and will be forwarded to the appropriate VP.
Ellen M Wells
Administrative Secretary
Muskies, Inc
1509 Stahl Road
Sheboygan, WI 53081-8894
888-710-8286 Toll Free
[email protected]
www.muskiesinc.org
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 43
Location: Waite Park, MN | I know that there is some work to be done in making the membership mailing/email info more accurate -- at least in my chapter -- because I was doing some calling for volunteers for a fundraiser and there was a very measurable incidence of inaccuracies in the block of members I was contacting. Its my understanding that we take that and clear up the database. I'd think it (monthly contact) should likely be at the chapter level, as that's where the closest contact is with the member, and the camaraderie and the bond to the organization really starts and is maintained. ...plus, from where we always need volunteers!
It sounds like M.I. "corporate" is making a good effort; I do like the "sustaining member" suggestion, above.
I'd be interested to know what Chapter 6 (and others) do to keep and boost their membership.... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1220
| Muskies Inc. is a no brainer for me. I always renew, always take part in every event I can, wrote a nice article for magazine last year, and donate several St Croix rods to be auctioned off for the benefit of MI stuff. Sure I question some stuff like fish registry but I question the government of everything and do so without leaving! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3
| What is this Sustaining Member? WPR? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 43
Location: Waite Park, MN | I'd bet WI Public Radio. MN Public Radio (MPR) does the same thing. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1041
| Thank you for all that you do for our Chapter, Marty. And thank you once again for donating a Legend rod to our fundraising event this Saturday. Thanks to your help and others like you, we are able to continue stocking the area lakes with muskies. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Muskies inc works. Some things are out of our hands at the local level but its still worth being part of the solution rather than not helping at all.
Marty im with you. I donate multiple guide jobs each year to our Milwaukee Chapter and help in any way I can.
This May 10th is the Pewaukee Classic. I am fishing it with my two adult kids. My cost for that day after the day is over will be over $200 out of my pocket. Add a donated 1/2 day guided muskie trip and im well over double that.
My feelings are: Lead by example and lets get this club rolling. Please support Muskies Inc and our mission. Complaining won't change much. Get involved and be part of the solution. Things will work out for the best in the long run. |
|
| |
