RJ Magazine - Latest Comments in Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

Re: Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

ayumi yu — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:53:22 -0000

i like the idea at Sukkat Shalom.

Re: Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

mg1970 — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:00:58 -0000

Synagogues can no longer sustain the same traditional dues collecting business model. Fresh ideas from those who are tech savvy and who understand new business principles are sorely needed at those institutions where legacy tenured staff control with out of touch knowledge and skills.

Re: Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

David Schlosser — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:17:07 -0000

In looking at Sukkat Shalom's pledge form I find it interesting that there are three suggested pledge levels which, to me, is not all that different from a dues structure that suggests a certain %age of income.

Re: Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

Marilynn Rothstein — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:44:42 -0000

We have been talking about something similar to Judy Buckman's position on dues for a couple of months now among members of a Strategic Planning Committee that I sit on. In theory it's great and would work well for congregations that have significant funds to depend upon while the current "dues structure" transforms to the new one. Unless a major donor is willing to underwrite such an endeavor, congregations with very limited funds would be hard pressed to do this...and might even go "out of business" in the interim.

For "start-up" congregations, I certainly think it's the "way to go." I'd like some advice about how to transform from Mark's to Judy's model if there are no significant funds upon which to depend and no major donors willing to underwrite the transformation.I certainly agree that we need to transform (that word again) the way we work with our members who are living from paycheck to paycheck.....doing it with dignity and respect for their difficulties.Happy Passover!

Re: Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

David Itkin — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:56:03 -0000

I think Ms. Buckman has the better of this argument. So do the people who have posted responses. before me. It think it's illuminating that not a soul has posted a response in support of Mr. Jacobson's position.

I believe that, in the second half of the 21st century, congregations who have adopted something like Sukkat Shalom's model will be the vibrant, worthy successors to today's American Reform Jewish Movement.

I fear that those who stick with the more traditional model will have become country clubs, nursing homes, or defunct.

Re: Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

Joe — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:47:27 -0000

Nice debate

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Re: Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

Abackman — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:41:37 -0000

As the former Treasurer of Congregation Sukkat Shalom, I can second Judy's view that our pledge system has not only been financially successful for the congregation, but gives our members dignity and confidentiality in their support of the congregation. Note: we are Congregation Sukkat Shalom, not Temple Sukkat Shalom.

Re: Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

c.b. — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:56:34 -0000

Isn't it a tad odd for the URJ to be bringing this up? Our synagogue is charged $30,000 a year in dues to the URJ. That is passed down to the members.

Re: Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

Rav Dave — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:53:19 -0000

Judy Buckman offers what should always have been the paradigm for synagogues! Yasher Koach!

Re: Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

Cait — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:21:26 -0000

My best friend has become turned off from joining any congregation because she is on a very limited income from disability yet she has been cut off from membership several times (different congregations) because she did not file all new paperwork every single year, and on time, to get reduced dues. One of the reasons I resigned membership in my first congregation is that the VP (not the treasurer) refused to allow dues reduction that another friend needed because the VP didn't want that person to be a voting member. Dues are clearly political and unjust in those congregations. Financial support viewed as a part of tzedakah certianly meets with larger financial support from me.

Re: Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

Boosel — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:49:58 -0000

Sukkat Shalom has been a guiding light in our lives, partly because of our ability to pay what we can through the years.

Re: Reform Judaism Magazine - Debatable: Is the Traditional Membership Dues Model Still Viable?

Andalmandesign — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:50:03 -0000

I couldn't agree more with Judy Buckman!
It's a more relaxed atmosphere. I think people
definitely give more when they are not forced.