About Kol Tzedek

Kol Tzedek, a Reconstructionist synagogue in West Philadelphia, builds a diverse and inclusive community through prayer, education, spirituality, and Jewish activism within and beyond our local neighborhood.

Contact:
PO Box 31902
Phila, PA 19104
215-764-6364
register@kol-tzedek.org

Member:
Home‎ > ‎Kehillah (Community)‎ > ‎Reshet Visioning‎ > ‎

WHAT IS THE IDEAL MEMBERSHIP SIZE FOR KOL TZEDEK?

posted Feb 12, 2009 12:23 PM by KT Communications

What questions do we need to ask, in order to be able to answer the above question?

What is the reality of our now?  demographic survey was completed and given out at the first meeting.
How many people currently pay membership fees?

How do we define membership? How should we define membership?
Who already comes through our doors?
What demographics are not represented currently in our membership?   (Steve: Is there some alternative to membership that allows active participants to support us with their time and money in an organized way, without a "covenant"?  People whose lives are at a turning point because of age or circumstances (just graduated, just moved, think they might move, just married or separated) might have good reasons not to make a commitment, but might support us without one).
At what number do we reach financial solvency?
How many people do you need to voluntarily lead the programming and services we offer?
What are the number of people who take advantage of what we have and don't pay?
Why aren't they members?

What is the goal of Kol Tzedek?
Whom are we trying to attract?

  • Families
  • Gen X, Gen Yers
  • Older members (with money)

How do you keep the openness/welcoming community while encouraging paying members?
How do we connect the different groups that are present in the congregation?
How does fundraising factor in? How does fundraising connect to our needs for growth?
What are people interested in?

How do we tap into the energy of those who are non-members but engaged in Kol Tzedek?
How can we support these 'members'?
Can we formalize a volunteer commitment?
If our decision is to grow to a much bigger synaoguge, how will we support a full or at least closer to full time Rabbi?

Can the community sustain the synagogue and if we expand, how does it change the nature (or the vision) of the synagogue?
If it weren't for the money issue, would we want to grow?

    How do we answer this question? 
 
  (Steve:  Let's be honest with ourselves.  Do we really want to be bigger at all, deep down?  If so, is it because (1) that we would like to share what we now do well with a larger community, or (2) to give us the ability to financially support programs that we value, or (3) provide the volunteers and participants that will make these programs more vibrant and viable?  All are legitimate answers, but we need to identify our real motivation(s) in order to respond appropriately).



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