Support Maple Leaf Up!

[Bob Carriere]

The recent post from Geoff is very interesting.

I think it is time to bite the bullet and start charging a membership fee. A limited number of us have contributed enough for now......it is time for the mass to stand up and be counted.


According to Geoff we have approx. 306 active core members..... those with more than 10 postings. Let us use these numbers for financial planning.

I propose the following set of conditions for membership and fair play.

Free registration..... subject to Geoff's usual security scrutiny.

Free postings for the first 10 postings to encourage new people to test the water.

Any postings after the basic 10 you need to pay $10 annual membership.

Money collected will be publicly accounted on the forum by name.

Membership moneys collected will only be used to pay direct charges such as domain, web services, ISP services, etc.

Geoff will account for all payments with invoices.... TO PREVENT ANY GOSSIP OR UNFAIR RUMOURS OR ACCUSATION TOWARDS HIM THAT MONEY IS NOT WELL MANAGED.

I realize those are hard conditions but it needs to be fair right from the beginning and to avoid any misunderstanding. Guys buy in....send their money and accept all the conditions.... no missunderstandings.

If the core of the membership is not prepared to pay $10 a year for the direct upkeep cost of the MLU forum then we should live with the consequences.

My projections, at $10 for 75% of the core membership, is sufficient to pay for all annual services up front and benefit of bulk payments. I stand to be corrected by Geoff. Surpluses can be used for such projects are archiving information or necessary site upgrades.

I don't know how this POSTING can be highlighted on all the other threads .........but unless everyone puts down the grease can and the hot wrench.... selling stuff..... or ranting on political issues....and takes the time to reads this and makes a decision........

..... we ain't gonna last for long.


I will be waiting to read comments, suggestions, rebutals, etc. from anyone and everyone.


Thank you all.


Bob Carriere

..... can anyone find me a step ladder so I can get off this soap box...?

[aj.lec]

Sounds fair to me Bob
I know some people are doing it hard but others should get shorter pockets and let the moths out of the wallet and cough up to help out and keep this great forum going
I am sure a lot of people would miss the site and our projects a lot worse off if it were gone

[Stewart Loy]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

I realize those are hard conditions but it needs to be fair right from the beginning and to avoid any misunderstanding. Guys buy in....send their money and accept all the conditions.... no missunderstandings.

..... we ain't gonna last for long.

Bob,

You have hit the nail on the head.

Sign me up!


Stewart

[Rick W]

I think you need to be applauded Geoff. Taking on a forum that has grown to what it has, a worldwide place of discussion is not something I would take on lightly. You have done so selflessly, not promoting an ulterior motive and with no financial gain for yourself. When I joined this forum I hoped to contribute more, but there are others who have more knowledge and beat me to the post so to speak! From the short time I have been a member it seems a friendlier place to be than some other forums, with nothing taken personally and views expressed openly. After all, that is what a forum is meant to be. A place for open and frank discussion. But from what I have seen, its all friendly and its all discussion, and perhaps more importantly, the sharing of knowledge.
Ive had my say, Im off to bed!

[Bob Carriere]

I was just glancing through the various threads this evening and it is amazing how oblivious the plight of the MLU Forum is to everyone except a few souls.

WE rant about the federal government stupids rules and regulations ( I don't disagree)..... we rejoyce about the sound of the Sexton's engine.... it is awesome by the way.... we are still looking for tank transmissions.... and trying to sell CMPs from the coast to Toronto.....

.....but nobody seems to realize that none of this dialogue, exchange of ideas or sharing of successes would take place without the forum.....

It's like being on the Titanic and everyone is fighting to get an ice cube/ piece of the iceberg to put in their drinks not noticing that the ship is listing....!

Where would any of these people be or do if the Forum was not there....?

Allo out there...... any intelligent life out there.....? are we broadcasting to a foreign planet.....?

Feels cold and lonely out here. Wonder how Geoff feels..?

Maybe I should just go to bed and pull the blanket over my head......seems to work for everyone else.

Bob C..

[Bob Carriere]

I have a special request to make to you Geoff.....

In view of the fact that the SUPPORT MAPLE LEAF UP thread seems to be going unnoticed because we are so caught up with using MLU that we are not noticing the situation we are in.....

Can you either copy this thread to every other thread on MLU or at least a link to remind members to take notice of our plight.

It would be easy to assume that nobody cares..... but that would be inaccurate and presumptious on our part......

Guys...... we need your support..... and we need it now..... and on an annual basis.... please go back on the thread and read my comments.......

We are not trying to profit from this venture..... we are trying to insure that you still have a forum to post your frustrations, your successes and your requests for information.

Please help yourself make sure it is still there for each and everyone of you.

Thank you

Bob Carriere
Hammond, Ontario

[Brian Gough]

Geoff,

Once again, thank you for all the expense, effort and time you spend in operating this great Forum.

For those who have already responded to Geoff's most recent call for help, my thanks for doing your share and more.

For those who are still deciding to contribute - just remember how you feel when you can't log on and how you miss finding out what is happening all over our MV world and how you suffer MLU withdrawal pains until you do get back on.

And special thanks to Bob Carriere for keeping this issue current and for his efforts to get regular funding and ensure the long term future of MLU.

Cheers,

Brian

[hrpearce]

I have no problem with paying annually and usually PM Geoff when I can aford to give a little which is after the weaner sales each year Keep up the naging Bob it workes for the wife so maybe it will worke for you on Geoff's beharf.