Membership - Join the TAS Family
Our innovative and exciting new Gift Membership Program is a special program that is available to TAS members for 2010-2011.
As a valued member of TAS, you already know that it is a wonderful place where people can come together for Jewish worship, learning, and community. But there are many Jews in our area who do not belong and could benefit from what we have to offer.
This program allows you to give a one-year complimentary membership to unaffiliated family members or friends. There is no charge to you and no limit to the number of gift memberships that you may offer. After they join, all we ask is that both of you attend at least three TAS events throughout the year. The conditions and details of the program are explained in the Q & A (below).
Few gift-giving opportunities in life hold such high potential. Membership in our vibrant congregation opens doors to unique Jewish experiences that can have an impact for a lifetime and perhaps for future generations.
Consider presenting a membership to:
...an adult needing a little encouragement to reconnect with his/her Jewish roots;
...a couple looking for opportunities to socialize with other like-minded folks;
...a senior who would enjoy our variety of events and programs;
...families wanting to foster their children?s Jewish education and identity; or
...anyone searching for spiritual connection and meaningful worship experiences.
Beginning in August we will sponsor New Member Events that you and your gift member can attend together. As always, we hope you will attend Shabbat services, Synaplex, Jewish Education classes, etc.
You know that TAS is a dynamic community that has much to offer. We hope you will participate in this mitzvah and help us open our doors to your friends and relatives. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Sue Miller in the Temple office or membership@TASnorthridge.org.
B'Shalom,
Mindy Free Melissa Kassan Kay Silverman
Co-Chairs, TAS Membership
TAS Gift Membership Program
2010-2011
What is the Gift Membership Program?
It is a program aimed at bringing in new members and strengthening current members? ties to TAS. A key element in this program is the Partner-Recipient relationship.
How the program is designed to work:
This is a program designed to give our TAS Members in good standing (?good standing? is defined as member dues which are paid current, prior to, and including the month of High Holy days) an opportunity to gift a free, one-year membership to their unaffiliated friends and family. The following year the Recipient member will be invited to join as a paying member. It has been shown that recipients of these gift memberships have a high likelihood of future affiliation because they already have a connection to a TAS member. Also, by participating in TAS as a member instead of a guest, they will have first hand opportunity to see the value in continuing their relationship with us beyond the free year.
Do the Sponsoring-Partners have to pay anything?
No, they just have to maintain their member-in-good-standing status. There is no cost to the Sponsor-Partners.
Do the Sponsoring-Partners receive any financial compensation or dues reduction?
No, there is no financial compensation or dues reduction, but, by participating in the program they are contributing to TAS by welcoming a non-affiliated Jew to our TAS community.
When does the membership take effect? How long does it last?
The gift membership is valid during the July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011 fiscal year. Regardless of which month the gift membership begins, it will expire on June 30, 2011.
Does that mean that all new members who join during that time will join for free:
No. We expect to have people join as dues-paying members in addition to those who receive a gift membership. Only those Recipient members that are introduced and have a current in-good-standing- member can participate in the Gift Membership Program.
Will the Gift Membership Program be offered in subsequent years?
No, this is a one-year trial program aimed at getting prospective new members familiar and involved at TAS.
What about ECEC, Religious School & Hebrew School tuitions? Is everything free?
No, The Gift Membership covers dues only. It doesn?t cover the ECEC, Religious School, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and/or Confirmation dues.
Will Gift Membership Recipients be treated any differently?
No. No one will know that they received a Gift Membership unless they volunteer that information. As with any membership, Shabbat Services, adult education, High Holy Day tickets, and all other services a paying member receives will be available to them.
Can a Gift Membership Recipient sponsor others?
No, recipients cannot also be partner-sponsors.
Can current members use the Gift Membership for themselves?
No, the Gift Membership cannot be used for renewals. Recipients of the Gift Membership Program cannot have been TAS members during the 2008-2009 or 2009-2010 fiscal years.
Can previous members receive a gift membership?
Yes. Any person who was a member in good standing prior to July 1, 2008, but not after that date, can receive and redeem a Gift Membership.
Can a new, dues paying member sponsor others for a free membership?
No, Partner-Sponsors must be members-in-good-standing for at least one-year before they can give a Gift Membership.
How many Gift Memberships can a Partner-Sponsor give?
There is no limit. To maximize the effect of the program the Partner-Sponsor will attend at least 3 TAS events together.
Do the Gift Membership Recipients have any obligations?
Yes, they must attend at least 5 Temple events throughout their gift year. Gift Member recipients must attend a minimum of 5 Temple events throughout their Gift Membership, including, but not limited to, a New Member Integration, Friday night services, Temple events (such as Purim Carnival, Cantor?s Concert, Synaplex, etc.).
What are New Member Integration Events?
These are social, religious and educational events that are designed to connect new and old members with TAS.
What if they don?t attend?
Membership will be communicating with the Gift Member Recipients throughout the year for their feedback with respect to the events and Services they have been attending. If we find that they are not participating their Gift Membership will not be cancelled. We will be tracking the program should the Gift Member ask for special consideration in the future.
Logistics:
Sponsor-Partner should initiate the Gift Membership by calling Sue Miller in the office or by emailing membership@tasnorthridge.org. Sue will check to make sure that the Sponsor-Partner is a member-in-good-standing, then membership can contact the Gift Recipient and have them fill out all the applicable paperwork that any new member would complete. The application is the same for the Gift Recipient, however, we will have some kind of labeling on their application so we can track their attendance at activities throughout the year. Just to reiterate, no one but Sue, the Board and Membership will know who is receiving a Gift Membership?they are considered to be members of TAS in all ways.
Embrace the Possibilities
