Attendees: Museum President PNC David Magidson FL; NC Edwin Robins; Jerry Alperstein NY; Stan Bilker PA; Jerry Blum CT; Hannah Deutch NY; Elliott Donn CT; Ed Elbaum IL; Bernard Epworth NJ; Ed Glasspool NJ; PNC David Hymes IL; Joe Kraut SE; Jack Mandell NJ; PNC Monte Mayer NY/VT; Dr. Robert Pickard FL; PNC Norman Rosenshein NJ; Debby Stern FL; Bernhard Storch NY; Joe Weingarten IN; Henry Wolf NJ
Staff: NED Herb Rosenbleeth; Larry Richardson; Mrs. Bailor; Mary Westley; Cheryl Waldman
Subject: National Museum of American Jewish Military History
Ideas for increasing attendance at the Museum
- Should the museum be open on Saturdays?
- Jewish museums in Philadelphia and Baltimore are open on Saturdays
- There is no admission fee so there is no concern about money on Saturdays
- Museum is an educational, not a religious venue
- If the museum is open on Saturdays, does it also need to be open on Jewish holidays?
- Don't need to conform to JWV Sabbath restrictions since NMAJMH and JWV are separate organizations
- Must advertise more extensively to attract visitors
- Advertising in airports
- Exchange advertising with other military museums, military installations, and synagogues, Congressmen's offices, etc.
- Have to concentrate on outreach to local Washington, DC, metropolitan area
- Need to have more special programs to attract visitors
- Work with other museums to exchange objects and displays to generate publicity for the museum
- Need new exhibits to attract both new and returning visitors
Ideas for generating operating income for museum
- Museum needs $300-400,000/yr to operate
- Gift shop (possibly as a separate entity that would donate proceeds to museum) - possibly virtual gift shop online
- Need for other sources of income besides membership
- Need to get children of members involved in museum
- Currently in touch with grant writer to generate income - must show in grants that museum is capable of supporting itself
- Program in place to sell naming rights for various rooms and other parts of museum
- Must get people to leave money to museum in form of bequests
- All echelons should be museum members for $100 per year membership rate
- Museum is already available to be rented out by other groups
General Discussion
- Museum is going ahead with plans for renovation and expansion
- Building does not have enough space to rent out for office space for another Jewish organization
- Museum does accomplish its mission to show the heroism of Jewish service in the military
