[Jeffrey Roberts]

Which type of fund raising would you support?(You are required to register or login in order to answer the poll.)Please also post any other suggestions for fundraising. Your input is highly valued.

 

[Ks-Sunshine]

Jeff, Money will be on its way from me ASAP. Got to see what is left of my check after medical bills so it may take a while.

 

[canada dry]

Jeff:I hope you got my anonymous donation I sent a few months ago in way of a Canada Post Money Order. Obviously there are members who need the support of this BB but can't afford it. I'll send funds when I can.

 

[Auroraheart]

Any word yet on setting it up as a charitable donation for taxes? or using Royal Direct as a payee to send money?

 

[Guest]

More advertising, donations and fund raisers are a good way to go. It may not happen here, but when my dance group decided to raise fees, several people quit.

 

[DommieDo]

If the annual subscription wasnt an extortionate amount I dont think people would mind paying. Jeff could obviously have final say in the matter and if there were people who couldnt afford it then could let them off.

 

[Clair]

Hi JeffJust getting myself set up on paypal europe so I can transfer funds to you electronically instead of by snail-mail - I'll probably be back in touch when i'm up and running asking a zillion questions on how to get money to you!

Clair

 

[JeanG]

Hi Jeff:I just sent you something via Paypal.

Since it comes out of my checking you probably won't see it until Wednesday.JeanG

 

[*Luna*]

I am concerned that if dues where charged to access the board, or to post on the board, a lot of people who really need this board and really don't have a lot of money wouldn't be able to get the help they needed.I was a member of this board for more than a year before I finally made a financial contribution. I don't know how long it takes for people to realize just how wonderful and valuable it is. For me, it was that I didn't have a lot of extra money, and it took that long for me to help out some. And it probably should have been larger. But if we all donated just a small amount, how much would that be??Also, I know from doing online sales at work that PayPal takes a pretty good cut of monies. Is this a not-for-profit group that gets charged less than businesses do?I wouldn't mind increased ads on the pages. I HATE pop-up ads, and hate pop-unders even more. I really hope the board doesn't have to resort to that to keep afloat. But I also have no idea how much it costs to keep running and how far from that amount the board is.Maybe you could make a square ad that says something like "The BB needs your support!" and a "Donate" button. The current button is pretty low-key, and I'd bet a lot of members, especially newer members, don't realize the need is there or it is that easy to help.

 

[Audrey Fussell]

I for one didn't realize there was a need for donations? I guess I haven't really read everyone on the bb. Makes sense there would be an associated cost. Unfortantely for me things are tight once, I get this LEAP figured out and then hopefully Mikes tapes then I would be more then willing to send in something. With my husband being and xENRON and still looking for work $ is very tight. Believe you me unemployment doesn't pay much and it will be cut off in 13 weeks. God I hope he finds full-time work before 13 more weeks. Regardless, I agree there should be some kind of fee associated but would certainly hope it is on a sliding scale especially for those that just don't have any extra after bills are paid. Count me in at some point.

 

[*Luna*]

Audrey, I also spent some time collecting unemployment this year, and so have many others on the board. I know there are a lot of people for whom money is tight. And there must be some for whom money isn't so tight. That is why I think the current donation system is good... if you have some money to donate, you can. And the amount of money that constitutes a small donation would vary between people.

 

[451]

JeffI am new here and would be more than happy to contribute to your fund.Just need advise on how much and where to send my dontation.Thank youtake careRichard Long

 

[JuliaNYC]

Just sent you a small donation via paypal. Even though I voted for annual dues as one of the choices, I do have concerns that dues would keep some who need the board away. However, given the number of members, the dues could probably be kept very low (like maybe a dollar or two a month) if the advertising and other options were used in conjunction with dues.

 

[Sally Jane]

I don't know how the other members feel about this but I would rather donate when I can. I think this BB is valuable and I know it costs money to operate. I would prefer more advertising if possible and maby more reminders that you need money. I have been lax in this and I am sending a donation this week. Maybe be all need reminding more often. "The check will be in the mail."

 

[jennieb54143]

i aggree with luna. Most of the time we have to take money from my grama whos retired to buy food. Others cant afford to donate. I would love to donate next time i have the extra cash but charging a fee in my oppinion would make most people slighty annoyed and what about the ones who cant afford it?

 

[GailSusan]

Jeff, what about sending out an e-mail once a year to frequent BB users asking for a suggested donation? Or a once-a-year campaign like PBS where everyone is reminded all over the website that it's time to make a donation or pledge?