Hi there! I hope that you are all well.
We were in the middle of discussing the 10 reasons why members may leave your synagogue. Reason #3 was that members get turned off when they’re constantly asked for more money. There are two truths here: 1) Synagogue’s need more money, 2) Members hate being asked over and over. These evident truths present a challenge for even the healthiest of synagogue’s. There are solutions to such a dilemma. Firstly, I would set up a sturctured and scheduled system that helps you ascertain how frequent you ask, who you ask, and when you ask. This will help you get a better idea as to when to lay off of some people, and try a bit more with others. Secondly, if you need to ask frequently, I would do it in a more modest way. Constantly making announcements about the financial needs of the shul turn the focus off or Torah and Tefilah and make the discussion one of money.
In closing, I refer you to a new book on developing a congregation of givers, it’s called “Maximize”. This informative book is written by Nelson Searcy. Check out his suggestions for solving our pickle.
See you around,
Shlomo Einhorn
Rabbi of West Side Institutional Synagogue - www.wsisny.org
Director of WINGS – A OU Synagogue Consulting Group – http://www.ou.org/synagogue_services/wings
Email: wings@ou.org
