Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

[CC sewing]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

Just sent $10.00 through Paypal as well.

Me too - long overdue, and I'm sorry it took me so long!

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

I personally have no problem paying; I will contribute voluntarily. However, I could see some issues if someone pays for the privilage of posting and reading on this site and is flamed or, in some cases, down right insulted, or if their post is removed, etc. Keeping it voluntary keeps it more or less still in private hands and you can maintain "play by my rules or don't play". If payment is required to access, a service is now being offered for payment and the community may have to be a bit more accepting of redundant and newbie questions.

[STFeryus]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

Considering that I've saved plenty not buying anymore farby gear and then having to rebuy...
$5-10 isn't a problem...And I should be stopping by to donate in the very near future

[MO-Pard]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

I have quietly sat back and watched the debate unfold. As such, would offer the following.

1. Most of those replying are relatively newer members. I have not seen a lot of the seasoned vets from prior or previous crashes. The AC has always been a place for them to share ideas and research in free format. I fear this would drive off a great deal of the valued veterans for two reasons. A. They haven't had to pay before and would possibly/probably go elsewhere. B. Many of the seasoned vets have noticed the great deal of increasing mainstream/farbism, types and thought, invading the forum, (i.e. known or identifiable farby unit names listed in signature lines, etc.) Yes, this has always been a fact of life to varying degrees, but many are becoming less tolerant to it and possibly not willing to pay for it.

(Not looking for a fight, dont' shoot the messenger...)

2. Maybe consider an annual 'pledge drive'? There seems to be many folks willing to already and it could be made fun with door prizes, etc. Voluntary will get more participation than mandatory.

3. If there is no other way and it has to be mandatory, make the AC a 501(c) organization like the watchdog.

4. Or, how about a combination? Start off with a pledge drive this year, while 'grandfathering' all current members, and then charging new members going forward?


Best Regards

[MissAnnaMae]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

I just PayPal'd $20.00 to the Forum. $10 for me and $10 to sponsor the first citizen-only reenactor of limited means who sends me a private message. I'll make sure the powers-that-be give you credit for your donation.

While I, too, have questions about the monies taken in and the proper accounting thereof, I'll donate first and wait for answers later. :-)

[VTGunlock]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

Count me in. When you consider how much we have spent collectively in the past for poor magazine subscriptions, dubious weeklies, long distance phone calls et al even $50 to $75 would be both cost and "energy efficient". If we do not have this venue for our passion, I seriously wonder if the entire movement can remain the same or even exist IMHO. Cordially,


Priv Steven Gunlock VermontThirdVols. "The Hemlocks"

[EasySam]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

I , as many, have posted very little but I go to this site at least 3 times a day. I have been reenacting for 13 years but still don't know everything :<) At times I have seen harshness on the forum, but I have learned a lot here. Even though I will continue doing mainstream events with my organization, the folks posting here have given me the impetus to also start doing more authentic events. It will be my pleasure to pay a small subscription as is proposed. Finally, I would like to thank all you folks in charge and all you posters.

[Coatsy]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

Jay,

I’ll bite as a long time AC member. (Been with the AC since before the crash and its various other incarnations. Anyone remember Joe Knight’s and my post about saving the Pickett’s Mill Drag Strip with zouaves, wagons, and shotguns? ) I actually suggested a PBS type pledge drive deally with prizes and all. But what it comes down to is that if we want this site to remain the way it is, or be able to do more on the site then we need mo money. I initially thought $2 to $3 would be fine, but the $5 to $10 means I don’t go to Chili’s, Applebee’s, or *gasp* Cracker Barrel for one sitting. I think I can handle that.

As to the more farb/streamer stuff. Yes there has been a lot of that. This is where the alert button comes into play. I am sick of the “who makes the best O.C.N.” (To quote Charles) posts so I’ve been on a reporting frenzy. Send a PM to the poster as a courtesy with “Hey buddy remember to sign you full name, you can set it up with the signature line function.” Or report the thread. As responsible members of this forum I think it is only fair to help report threads that are not up to snuff for this forum. If the mods disagree with our opinion on a particular thread then so be it. We did our part.

As some others have said people could still look at some of the sub forums, but to get access to everything (not counting private folders) then you would have to pony up with the cash.

[MuddyWaterMess]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

Not sure if my other post went thorugh due to cruddy internet conncection. I feel like 5 to 10 bucks is a great deal. Heck the money i have saved buying used gear off this site is 10 times that much. I think that the great guys running this forum should get a break and if 5 or 10 bucks is what it takes shoot i am all for it. The knowledge alone is priceless so i think that its great. What ever they make it i will pay it this site is my favorite and by far the best. Go ahead hit us with the fees i think its a SUPER idea. Thanks

BEN JENKINS

[Anna Allen]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

I don't have a problem paying the money myself. It's not much and I subscribe to other magazines that come out only 6 times a year for more than $10. But my problem, which may have already been brought up in this thread, is that it will be hard to point newbies to this forum if you have to pay a subscription fee to look at the contents. I have a feeling a lot of people will shy away from this forum when you start charging a price for viewing, especially if you are new at reenacting and figure it's easier and free to go to other, less authentic sites for their information. I do understand how this site cannot be maintained with nothing and it does need money to stay alive. I'm not exactly sure what else to do, but I thought I'd add in my two cents nonetheless.

[eric marten]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

Paul: I hastily and foolishly answered "no" to the poll. Wish I could change that and vote again, but anyway, of course I'd be willing to pay such a fee.
The website and forum is awesome!

Eric Marten
Franklin Square, N.Y.

[Marylander in Grey]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

Paul,
I will gladly pay for membership, as a matter of fact here you go I am sending $20.00 to you via paypal. Thank you for all your help and support.
I remain your most humble and obidient servant,
Chris

[erik]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

Knowledge is priceless. Set a fee for the full banquet found here.
If $10 will do it, if not then, $20.
I am perhaps feeling good that the Canadian dollar is just about par at this time but would pay up regardless.
I pay seven times that much to enjoy the insurance of my organisation and still produce the outcome of my research for nothing other than the growth of the unit.
With such apparent open forums, $20 is not too much for the benefits.

Erik simundson
4th Michigan Co. C

[Mcguire]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

If you've got a Barnes & Nobles in your hometown, you should know not all information is free ... neither is the Watchdog, the CCG or the Civil War Historian for that matter.

Excellent analogy! It's amazing that people who would spend thousands to create a good impression, and I am assuming that those who visit the forum have done so for the sake of authenticity, would balk at five to ten dollars.

[pbhatfield]

Re: Would you be willing to pay a nominal fee for membership?

Paul
Count me in. Nothing good is ever free, at least not for too long...however, I echo Miss Anna and others who have suggested it may be difficult to convince newbies/fresh fish to join up due to a $10 charge - many dont even know why they need to have access - perhaps offer the first timers a trial subscription with limited access, say to the research, want to sell, etc. and other essentials? Just a thought.
Regards to all.

Phil Hatfield