The E-Sylum:  Volume 7, Number 26, June 28, 2004, Article 2

INCREASING NBS MEMBERSHIP ROLLS

  David M. Sundman of Littleton Coin Co., Inc., writes:
  "I read with interest the recent report that "there were still
  more than 100 former members who have not renewed for
  the current year.

  For many years I was a member of the NBS, and
  mysteriously to me, about a year ago I discovered I wasn't
  receiving The Asylum.   I had my assistant Melissa Plasencia
  check into this, and was shocked to discover that the notice
  appeared in a certain issue of The Asylum.  As I don't read
  each issue-but save them all, I eventually discovered the
  problem of my lapsed membership when I found I was
  missing some issues.

  From my experience managing a coin business with more than
  150,000 active customers employing 325 staff, I can advise
  you that there is a direct link between the declining membership
  of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society and the current renewal
  request technique.  If I used such hidden message as you are
  using to retain customers, I wouldn't be able to afford the
  computer to send you this email.

  Personally, I believe the NBS's present method of renewal is
  crazy.  It may make things easy for the NBS - but it does not
  make it easy for the NBS member? thus your high dropout
  rate.  I doubt that any for-profit publication would run their
  renewal effort this way as it is guaranteed to increase your
  discontinued rate because you have made it difficult for the
  member/subscriber.  The NBS should do a separate renewal
  mailing, just as all publications do.   Even though it adds a little
  to the expense side, it is the only way you are going to grow
  the organization membership."

  Numismatic Bibliomania Society President Pete Smith writes:
  "Thank you for your comments. We have had general
  discussion about our renewal process at board meetings but
  no uniform policy. Each of the Secretary/Treasurers on our
  board has handled the process differently with varied emphasis
  on e-mail notification, Asylum notification and letters.

  It is obvious that we need to do more. We will discuss this again
  at our board meeting in Pittsburgh."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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