Q&A
I can’t afford the new rate, but I really want to maintain my membership. What should I do?
Our first recommendation: Teach a class! Asmbly is always looking to add new classes as well as add instructors to our cadre for current classes. The average teacher payout for a class at Asmbly is about $140, so teaching one class per month will likely cover your membership and then some. If you are interested in teaching at Asmbly, let us know by filling out this form.
Second option: Asmbly will be implementing a shop on-duty program (more details to come mid May). If you volunteer a certain number of shifts/hours per month as part of this program, we will waive your membership dues. If you’re interested in learning more about this program, please fill out this interest form here.
Another option: If you are a member interested in making money on the items you create, lean into the entrepreneur community within Asmbly for resources on building a business. Some members have reached the point in their entrepreneurial journey where they are hiring help, so you may also find opportunities like this. We also have a monthly entrepreneurs meetup group (check the Asmbly events calendar for most up-to-date meeting times) and a dedicated section on our forum.
I have a membership gift certificate that I haven’t used yet. Will I still be able to use it once dues increase?
Yes, we will honor all currently outstanding gift certificates. Effective today, Friday 4/21/23, all new gift certificates will be at the new rates.
I didn’t see this message until <insert any number> days after the rate increase became effective. Can I still purchase an annual membership at the old rate?
No, we will not allow late purchases of annual memberships at the old rate. We are providing ample warning via emails, shop signage, and this post. If you want to lock in your rate, make sure to do it before June 1st.
My yearly membership ends after June 1st. Can I buy another year before the rate increases?
Yes. Conveniently, a related question was raised recently on the forum about purchasing a membership in advance of membership expiration. You can read this post and details on how to do this here.
I bought a membership in advance of the rate increase to save money, but I’ve decided I don’t want to use it after all. Can I get a refund?
Sorry, but no; memberships are nonrefundable.
Why isn’t Asmbly focusing on other revenue sources instead like grants and sponsorships?
Our volunteer efforts in pursuing grants have ramped up recently, however obtaining large grants and sponsorships is significantly more challenging without a full-time ED in a very competitive fundraising landscape. In the fundraising world, it is often said that “people give to people,” not organizations. A full-time ED puts a face to the organization who can build relationships with potential donors and sponsors.
When will the next rate increase occur?
No one has a crystal ball that will definitively predict the future, but we do not currently have any plans for additional increases on the horizon. When discussing what to increase the rate to, it was important to us to keep it below $100 while making the increase substantial enough to prevent the need for additional increases in the near future. Our hope is that with the additional revenue of the current increase, we can invest in streams that will allow us to diversify revenue sources and broaden membership options.
One way we keep membership rates as affordable as possible is through dedicated volunteerism. While we see paid staff as essential for Asmbly’s growth, volunteering will continue to remain a vital component of Asmbly’s core values and success.