Support Maple Leaf Up!

[cliff]

Geoff I missed your appeal as I was away for a week or so in NSW visiting Gosford for the first time. I'll check my finances over the weekend and give what I can as I enjoy the forum and learning new things about the vehicles even though I don't own one myself. Did you get the money I sent from the small number of calendar sales?

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Gents,

I posted my request for funds on April 13th. It is now April 24th. I have received a grand total of twelve donations, eleven by PayPal and one by mail.

This works out to a response rate from our members with greater than 10 posts of 2.2% (12/546*100). This is NOT satisfactory.

It costs money and a great deal of time to keep this forum running the way it should. With evidently rare exception, I'm the one forking out the money and I'm the one putting in the time.

Now, understand this... I'm not looking to make a living off you. BUT... I have provided something unique for all of you for the last twelve years. I expect at this stage that at least my expenses be covered, and I'm calling upon all of you out there to chime in and 'make a difference'.

MLU is truly a unique entity. I know it, and a lot of you have said so yourselves over the years, both privately and online. Now it's time to show me how unique you really think this is. Every year, the same ten to fifteen people have coughed up a few dollars each to help defray costs here, but their generosity does not cover the load. The rest is out of my pocket, never mind the thousands of hours which go into this each and every year.

This really isn't fair, is it?

I really do think the time is now to decide what MLU and its unique comradeship really means to you. There's nothing else like this on the internet, anywhere. I've so far avoided advertising and so far avoided charging a subscription fee, but these things may have to change unless you're willing to show me how much you really care... beyond the 125,000 posts you've made here. Think about it... that's an average of almost 18,000 posts per year, on subjects close to our hearts. You won't find this anywhere else.

Just think about it, gentlemen. That's all I ask. What is MLU to you?

Geoff

[Bob Carriere]

Geoff

You need to copy or paste your message to each and every thread of MLU..... for everybody to read the full string and make a contribution.....

Asking for a voluntary annual quasi membership fee of $20 dollars is not asking to much.......

Guys it is YOUR MLU site we are talking about.......

Geoff let's have a current ongoing posting of all those paid up a contribution......


Bob C.

[hrpearce]

Geoff,
Instead of just sending a PM this time I'll ask in public, if the 546 regulars were to pay for the upkeep leaving you only with the countles hours of work to worry about, how much per member would it come too. This information would help me and the rest understand if we are generous or only throwing a token gesture your way.

[Rick W]

Its a tough call for Geoff I think. You cannot count the hours. But I think if you could give us an indication of what you need from members it would help. I for one dont know how much the contributions need to be. So maybe a sub is the answer?

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by hrpearce

Geoff,
Instead of just sending a PM this time I'll ask in public, if the 546 regulars were to pay for the upkeep leaving you only with the countless hours of work to worry about, how much per member would it come too. This information would help me and the rest understand if we are generous or only throwing a token gesture your way.

Robert,

Ideally, I think that $20 per year from each of our core membership is proper and appropriate. It would not only allow me to keep the bills paid, but keep the software up-to-date and allow me to invest in good stuff like hats, t-shirts, golf shirts, coveralls, mugs etc. Stuff like this needs thousands in advance and can sit on shelves for months. I simply can't afford it, regardless of how desirable stuff like this might be to all of you.

As it stands now, a precious few members send a few hundred dollars, year after year, but it's always the same guys and never enough to make a difference... and making a difference is what I really want to do! It's not fair to any of us.

After 12 years, I don't think it's too much to ask. You'll certainly get it back in spades! There's only so much one old guy can do by himself.

Thanks,

Geoff

[cliff]

Geoff did you get the money I sent from the small number of calendar sales?

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

(1) Cliff: check your PMs.

(2) Gentlemen: Let me use this as a comparison. I don't know how many have used these over the years, but any decent dating site on the internet will demand $30 per month just to participate. I'm only asking for $20 per year, which is peanuts by comparison (and likely more useful in the long run! ).

Cheers,

Geoff