Annual Donation Drive

[RPLEDM]

I received a request this morning from Donnie to contribute to the running costs of SoS. As I spend about $500 a year on my club memberships (Church offerings are on a different planet) this is neither an unreasonable expectation nor an unreasonable expense. Some of my memberships are $50 per annum and I rarely attend more than 4 times a year since the time and gas cost to get there is close to the membership cost. SoS therefore has my support. However, all the other clubs report on their financial health and bank balances monthly, so, before I allocate a sum from my hobby budget am I allowed to know the present financial health of SoS and how the money will be spent? I think it is called transparency:You want my money, I want to know how not only how it will be spent as outlined in the email but also what the bank numbers presently are.

 

[Namabiiru]

You are not wrong, and a heathy dose of Missouri ‘show me’ is never inappropriate at the confluence of Internet Way and Money Street, but!…

Considering how much time I spend on this forum and how much I get out of it, Donnie can spend my money on sex, drugs and rock & roll for all I care. The evidence of my investment is manifold every time I log in.

Truth be told, I’d prefer he didn’t spend my money on drugs, but I am fine with sex and Rock & Roll.

 

[bowwild]

I think it is called a voluntary donation. Money isn't worth following. I like the product.

 

[Namabiiru]

I think it is called a voluntary donation. Money isn't worth following. I like the product.

What he said

 

[Donnie]

I had made a rather lengthy post regarding this and I have to find it.
First of all, all the money donated is NOT going into staff or admins pocket for joy riding. It all goes into the support of the forum which the cost can range from $2500 to $3500 per year depending on several situations to maintain the cloud service and development.
SOS will never ask people to join for a fee, or to join a subscription where it is renewed once a year.
It is free to join and totally free to participate.
When SOS started in 2009, I was paying for all the server cost out of my own pocket until the day came that it seem that I had to start asking for help. It became obvious that many of you joined the request and graciously offered donations from $5 and upwards. We also have vendors that give to.
I do have a PC that it’s primary function supported by SOS that performs these functions:
1. Administration of the forum backbone software and its functions including software updates.
2. Using File transfer protocols to upload and download various programs and utilities.
3. Using File Transfer protocols to maintain the Showcase Gallery.
4. Using graphic software to crop, manipulate images sent to me for entry into the showcase gallery.
5. Researching “software add ons” to add different features.
6. To maintain our Cloud enterprise server in Los Angeles, CA.
7. To communicate with engineers at cloud services for functionality problems.
8. Plus much more and NO, I do not get any monetary compensation for any of this. Some of these functions cost several hours of my time behind the scenes. And again, I have never been compensated financially for any of these activities.
So there is my responsibility and transparency.

 

[SimonS]

Donnie where do i go to donate?

 

[zoly99sask]

Donnie where do i go to donate?

Scroll down and will be on the right side

 

[SimonS]

Done thanks

 

[RussF]

Thank you @Donnie for your transparency, however, as @Namabiiru pointed out, it isn't necessary in this circumstance - the proof is in the result. Now, if you required a fee for membership, that's a different story and I feel transparency would be required. Having worked in I.T. most of my life, I know these endeavors don't just magically happen - there's a LOT of work behind them. Please let me take the time to thank you for the countless hours you must spend in the background and to give a hearty shout-out as well to the numerous Admins who also volunteer their time here.

 

[Kurt Konrath]

Thank you @Donnie for your transparency, however, as @Namabiiru pointed out, it isn't necessary in this circumstance - the proof is in the result. Now, if you required a fee for membership, that's a different story and I feel transparency would be required. Having worked in I.T. most of my life, I know these endeavors don't just magically happen - there's a LOT of work behind them. Please let me take the time to thank you for the countless hours you must spend in the background and to give a hearty shout-out as well to the numerous Admins who also volunteer their time here.

Well said, I have worked with Donnie and others, and back in the old days maintained a "online Bulletin Board Service" for the days of modems and DOS computers.

Maintaining the systems takes a lot of time and effort, that can never been repaid. It also takes time from his spare time to actively work on the models he has in work.

 

[kukras1111]

I received a request this morning from Donnie to contribute to the running costs of SoS. As I spend about $500 a year on my club memberships (Church offerings are on a different planet) this is neither an unreasonable expectation nor an unreasonable expense. Some of my memberships are $50 per annum and I rarely attend more than 4 times a year since the time and gas cost to get there is close to the membership cost. SoS therefore has my support. However, all the other clubs report on their financial health and bank balances monthly, so, before I allocate a sum from my hobby budget am I allowed to know the present financial health of SoS and how the money will be spent? I think it is called transparency:You want my money, I want to know how not only how it will be spent as outlined in the email but also what the bank numbers presently are.











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Makes sense — before pitching in, you’d just like a clear picture of SoS’s current finances and where the money’s going. That’s a fair ask for transparency.

 

[Namabiiru]

Makes sense — before pitching in, you’d just like a clear picture of SoS’s current finances and where the money’s going. That’s a fair ask for transparency.

It would be were it not for the fact that you can see the value for your money with no further information required every time you log in.

 

[zoly99sask]

Makes sense — before pitching in, you’d just like a clear picture of SoS’s current finances and where the money’s going. That’s a fair ask for transparency.

It is not mandatory to dinate !!!BTW ,all the admins and moderators are volunteers,SoS is not a money making enterprize

 

[Donnie]

This is a basic list of things we take care of:

Hosting Company / Cloud Server cost
Domain Name Annual cost
Annual License renewal for Core Forum Software
Annual License renewal for added feature sets for site enhancements.
Occasional consultant payments to software developers for assistance for the support that goes beyond my particular expertise.

All Donations support the forum. The annual cost can range from $2500 to $3500 per year, depending on maintaining the cloud service and development.

SOS will never ask people to join for money or to join a subscription. We do not have irritating pop-up Advertisements. It is free to join and free to participate. When SOS started in 2009, I was paying for all the server cost out of my own pocket until the day came that it seemed that I had to start asking for help. It became obvious that many of you joined the request and graciously offered donations from $5 and upwards. We also have vendors that give too.