This past week the Mennonite Heritage Village held its Annual General Meeting where members gathered to hear MHV staff and MHV board members report on the activities, programs, events and decisions that occurred in the previous year at the museum. One of the great things about a meeting like this is that everyone wants to participate in the life of the organization. Board members are given the opportunity to share their vision of the museum with supporters. MHV staff are able to describe the activities and programs that have been held at the museum in the last year, providing an analysis of their effectiveness. And members have the chance to ask questions about the museum’s operations, its finances and its plans for the future. Each of these groups has a role to play in the healthy functioning of a not-for-profit organization and an evening together helps to develop open lines of communication between groups, and it creates a sense of belonging for all supporters.
Mennonite Heritage Village appreciates its members. Many of you volunteer your time and expertise to help with our programs, to keep the facility well maintained and to assist our staff throughout the year. Many of you support us at our fundraising events and you donate your time, material gifts and money to ensure the smooth, efficient operation of our organization. And all of you visit us, participating in our activities and festival events, as well as stopping by to encourage our staff or to share ideas that will improve what MHV can offer to the public for learning and enjoyment. Members are a huge benefit to the museum.
So, what are the benefits that we offer for our members? Why bother with the formality of registering for a membership and paying an annual due? MHV believes that our members should be rewarded for their faithfulness and support. Here are some benefits:
- We offer FREE admission to museum grounds and exhibits for an entire year. Whether you want to stroll through the heritage village, go for a walk around the pond, attend our festival events, or spend some time in our exhibits, your membership pays for itself after two or three visits.
- Your membership card also invites you to bring along 2 friends with each visit for a 50% discount on their admission. This is an inexpensive way to enjoy the museum with relatives or friends at any time during the year.
- We offer a 10% discount for many of our services, including rental of our meeting rooms and reception halls, registration for our kid’s day camp programs, and purchases at Village Books and Gifts. We also offer a 10% discount every time you eat at the Livery Barn Restaurant.
- MHV offers to provide a free guided tour with our staff, if arranged prior to the planned visit. This can be a meaningful way to experience the museum exhibits and heritage buildings with relatives interested in particular aspects of the stories that we preserve and share.
- Becoming a member means that you will be subscribed to our semi-annual publication, Village Voice, and you will receive our weekly newsletter reminding you of upcoming events.
- Your membership at MHV is also a benefit when travelling to any of the seven Signature Museums in Manitoba. The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden, the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon, the Manitoba Agricultural Museum in Austin, the St. Boniface Museum in Winnipeg, the New Iceland Heritage Museum in Gimli, and the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada in Winnipeg, all form a collaborative group of museums, and we honour each other’s membership cards for free or discounted admission. What a wonderful way to see other parts of Manitoba!
Thank you for caring about Mennonite Heritage Village and its mission. We value your continued involvement and hope to see you often in the coming months. Your commitment to MHV as a member is significant to us and we want to thank you every time you stop by.
