I'll try and get some "monkey pictures" on our upcoming trip as well! LOL!Quote:
Originally Posted by vicbiker
(Or would you rather have some pictures from the nude beaches?) ;)
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I'll try and get some "monkey pictures" on our upcoming trip as well! LOL!Quote:
Originally Posted by vicbiker
(Or would you rather have some pictures from the nude beaches?) ;)
They have beaches with CLOTHED monkeys?!?:pQuote:
Originally Posted by WhereRWe?
Well I have got a pic with a monkey wearing a diaper . . . maybe they wear other clothes? ;):DQuote:
Originally Posted by Sudonim
What can I say . . . I have a "thing" for monkeys . . . in fact today I was invited in to a 1st grade class to read a book and I chose "Curious George At the Fire Station" -- I even dragged along my stuffed Curious George with me to the classroom. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by vicbiker
Another thought on how to raise funds. What about marketing add space on the page. This could possible done for all users or just non doanating members??
Not sure what kind of $$$$ that would generate but could be some part of the budget.
When I was President of the 3 Pond Association, we initiated a "President's Club" wherein folks who gave $100 were recognized at the next annual meeting AND were given a hand painted loon which one of the members created as a hobby. The first year almost 25% of the 60 or so members opted to kick in the $100!!!!! And it's been the same since. So how about giving a Geocaching Maine shirt or a special coin to anybody who donates a significant amount (and it doesn't have to be $100) and also describing the donor as a special donor other then just donating member? For example "Sustaining donor" or something like that. I don't think people who can afford to give need a great deal of recognition but a little won't hurt. I agree with everybody who recognizes that mandatory fees for this type of site could prove fatal so maybe this concept might help.:)
Great idea dubord207. I have something that I do on my other web site that I never thought about doing here. Let me swing this by everyone.
We could create a block on the front page titled "Monthly Sponsor" and have the persons user name displayed in it. Then at the end of the month the next persons name would display in it. We could set the monthly sponsor block to $25 and then see how that goes. How does that sound? If you go to www.whiteblaze.com and look at the homepage you will see what I mean.
I have been tossing around this idea that was mentioned by dubord207 about a sponsor and trying to incorporate it into the web site. There will be another program I need to purchase to get this running correctly. One of my concerns was about getting to many people sponsoring the web site and raising more then $500 per year. As I said I am not running the web site to make money. With much thought I have come to the conclusion that if we make more then the allotted $500 that we want then I will keep it in the account I have and it will be used for some of the other things that I have been paying for out of my pocket for the web site and some other things I have been working on for the web site and its promotion. I can report to the board members if there is any ammount over what we are trying to raise here and we can decide what to do with it.
I have put it on the home page now with my name as a sample.
How about this ...we could print a shirt say maybe in bright bright yellow...then we could print on it ...LOOK AT ME...I'M REALLY IMPORTANT. This could be given to all the people that contribute more then the others.
Just a side thought, but probably isn't much of a concern because we're not talking mass amounts of money, but does any of this fall under some kinda tax laws that might come around and bite us for raising too much money???Quote:
Originally Posted by attroll
Quote:
Originally Posted by attroll
Rick, if there is an overage, I'm sure that nobody would mind it going towards the huge BBQ you do each summer. Just a thought.
And Rick . . . knowing you as I do . . . I don't think there's anyone who would ever accuse you of doing anything you have done for profit . . . you are the type of guy who is most definitely not motivated by money . . . trust me on this one . . . if there is extra money, no one would begrude you for whatever you would do with it . . . there is a trust issue here, and the fact is you are a very trustworthy steward for this site -- always above board!Quote:
Originally Posted by Sudonim
Hmmm . . . bet Rick could buy a Super Deluxe Slip And Slide for Hiram, huh? ;):DQuote:
Originally Posted by Sudonim
Uncle Sam has little interest in organizations that take in less than $5000 per year. This won't generate the type of money that would require a tax return.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hiram357
I hope you're just trying to be funny. The point is that most people that contribute to organizations do so because they care about the cause, participate in the cause, see a need that the cause has and pony up to the bar happily and without need of recognition. I don't personally donate to groups for recognition and expect none, but most organizations will recognize individuals who make gifts above the norm. I'm fortunate that I can afford to support organizations of my choosing but it does not make me feel "really important." The point is that most donations are recognized at some level because it's the right thing to do.:)
quote=vicbiker;41313]How about this ...we could print a shirt say maybe in bright bright yellow...then we could print on it ...LOOK AT ME...I'M REALLY IMPORTANT. This could be given to all the people that contribute more then the others.[/quote]
I agree, I give because I think it is worth it. I.m not one to want to see my name on the front page. To tell you the truth I don't even like the donating member tag under by name. But if that helps others, then so be it. It's good Karma, that's all I need.Quote:
Originally Posted by dubord207
I think I remember a thread discussing how you can change the banner under your name. Maybe 6-12 months ago?Quote:
Originally Posted by Team Richards
The other group that I care a lot about, and feel does a lot of good is the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. All groups struggle with financial issues, the BCM is no different, so some members came up with the idea that if you donate a 1000 dollars you get a special bright yellow jersey to wear.This is where my statement on this thread stems from, which shortly after posting it I realized was more directed towards the BCM then our group. Sorry about that.
That said, I fully agree with Team Richards and Dubord that if you are fortunate enough or care enough to donate then by all means you should do so. Send Rick a check, hand him an envelope with some money in it at the pig roast, whatever works for you. Take a bow if you need to, but lets not run around with a special tag. If we are to do special tags, then lets have some for all those who put countless hours of their valuable time, and money out their own pockets, to make sure we all have a great time. How many hours went into this past weekends Pirate Quest? How many hours does Stef spend writing the news letter?
This is what I have against Donating member, or any other special tags. Donating what? I would still like to see any money needed to run this group be raised in a group type function, a yard sale, bake sale, whatever all members, young or old, rich or poor, would have an equal opportunity to participate.
I certainly do not mind pitching in and have done so regularly. As for the banner thing, for me it is not needed.
I remember that thread, and I think I took a quick look at the profile page at the time and didn't see where I could change it. I just looked again and I'm still missing it. It's not a big deal just nothing I would ever ask for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sudonim
If you want to remove the donating member image do the following.Quote:
Originally Posted by Team Richards
Click on USERCP, click on Edit Your Details, and then scroll down to Custom User Title and type anything in that block and it will remove the donating member icon. If you want it back then put a check mark in the RESET field.
Final thought. I personally need no special recognition for causes to which I donate. Over the years I have been involved in a great deal of fund-raising for a lot of diverse organizations. One common practice that all fund-raisers have to recognize is that one way or another it's polite, common practice and right to recognize donors. Most people don't expect or want the attention and of course can give without providing their name. But to not acknowledge a gift in some fashion is akin to not saying "thank you." That's my point. Whether it's a shirt or a "Thanks" thread on the site, we should have something.
Final note on this. I am going to leave the bandwidth at what it is now. If we reach the limit it is set at now then we are going to have to work on something. It is set above what it was. When we reach it then everyone will know. The exceeded bandwidth message will be displayed. We have 36 donating members right now with the average of $5 a piece being donated.