Forum Poll Please Participate

I haven't been fishing much lately but enjoy reading the posts. I would rather send you $50 once a year as a donation than for you to have to incur any cost. That being said I think that you could get hosting for much less than $100 a month. I don't want to be part of (you didn't post enough so you're out). I know some you are very active with your posts and I appreciate that, just don't want to be an outcast for not being as good. If you decide that this is sufficient I'll have the money next month but please don't kick me off if I slip. My respects and gratitude!

 

How much of a donation are we talking about? Roughly

 

I like the idea of at least 5 posts a month to stay active.

 

Could there be a option to have folks join using option #3 or option #4 ? Or is this too difficult to manage? I have physical issues that limit my ability to get out and fish and shrimp as often as I would like. Option #4 gives me the opportunity to support the club financially and also post comments where appropriate, rather than just replying with a "nice catch", etc. just to keep active on the forum. The forum is very informative and I'm sure requires substantial time and money to operate. I would be more than willing to pay for the opportunity to view these posts. Thanks to all who support this forum.

 

As I understand there seems to be two issues here. 1 is lurkers that are here to gather information and not participate. 2 is raising funds to help Sam out with the costs.
On the 1st issue some people just fish and some people just shrimp. This might cause a lack of participation during off season. 5 post seems reasonable to get back into the latest reports when your season is back on. If they don't post for the year then they were probably just tire kickers and looked up the forum on a passing interest from seeing it advertised and could be deleted, or placed in suspended animation. I do not want to see us go towards any supper members area where only the elite are allowed. This creates hard feelings. Also some people are just not computer people, but I feel if I am taking the time to read it I should acknowledge the poster on their efforts. So if you are a hermit, or maybe just shy maybe a small fee might help you be a little more gregarious.
At one time I did not post much, in another life. I did not think I had anything to offer, and no one was interested in what I had to say. I was encouraged to participate. Boy, I really started having a good time, and felt I was part of something.
#2 A lot of us don't have much extra. But we need to help out somehow.
Sam has footed a big bill for his passion, not to mention his time. I propose we come up with some ways to raise funds other than just at pick nicks. Maybe someone here has experience in fund raising. Maybe a 50-50, fishing and shrimping tournaments. You could pay entry through pay pal. take a picture on a ruler and send it in during a certain time period. Hopefully we are all honest. Or fishing/shrimping equipment raffle. Same thing, $5 bucks in pay pal enters your name 5 times, say for a fishing reel. Just throughing somethings out there.

 

I just joined the site I think the rules you have seem fair
That my 2 cents humbly Earl

 

I am new but like the 5 post. I should stay hooked to post more.

 

Great, just requested a ticket.

 

I can see restricting access by non-members to some forums, but I think everything should be open to members, especially members who financially contribute. I had wondered about the proliferation of 'attaboy' posts that we have to wade through looking for meaty, instructional, or interesting posts. People post the "nice", "nice catch", "way to go" or whatever just to get their 5 posts a month in. Can we get rid of that 5 post rule, please?

 

It is a little intimidating at first for newbies, Sam. We read "...after five posts" and think "I ain't got anything to say yet but can't see the good stuff so may never have anything to say". Lol, as you noticed, I have plenty to say as a member but understand newbies reservations. Having said that, five posts is a pretty good thing; it shows a willingness to actively participate.

 

I am a paid member.