Questions for the "Membership"

Actually, I'm getting a little confused.

I had the impression that Abking was suggesting a fee (even if not collected) with the idea that paying a fee would express more commitment/participation/??? (sorry if I read that wrong), not with the idea that Bill actually needed more cash to run the site. Maybe a fee would do it, maybe AOTY already does it to some extent, I don't know.

I've said it before, but I'd be willing to pay just to relegate advertising to a "shop here" board with advertising related to kayaks and fishing only -- but I know I'm in a distinct minority (of one I think  ) and Bill has never suggested the possibility. But I'm not sure that sort of thing accomplishes what ABKing is talking about.

Ben

Exactly Ben ... I don't think it's about money for Bill, but I won't put words in his mouth.

-Allen

After sending a message to bill he has reassured me that the site is not short of working capitol.
I also must have gotten the wrong message from this post and do apologise for any missunderstandings I may have caused.

If NCKA ever does need financial support my offer will always be avail. and I will be joining the AOTY for 2010 in support of all the great work done here.

Thanks for all the great work,
Eric

After sending a message to bill he has reassured me that the site is not short of working capitol.
I also must have gotten the wrong message from this post and do apologise for any missunderstandings I may have caused.

If NCKA ever does need financial support my offer will always be avail. and I will be joining the AOTY for 2010 in support of all the great work done here.

Thanks for all the great work,
Eric

Eric, Your one hell of a guy!   

Why does everyone presume it's a cost issue?  What if it wasn't?

-Allen

AOTY can still be entered, I haven't fished this year unless you count the 20 minutes I got in as my (cracked) yak was sinking, after that life just got in the way and limited my fishing time to pretty much zero, so I don't plan on entering anything but thought it was a good vehicle to donate to the site that I enjoy so much, so I signed up yesterday, better late than never.  And it only takes one fish to win a category so who knows..................

I never assumed it was a cost issue, my AOTY entry was a way of giving to an organization that I believe will use that money wisely whether it's to run the site or donate it somewhere else where it will do more good than sitting in my pocket.

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I never assumed it was a cost issue, my AOTY entry was a way of giving to an organization that I believe will use that money wisely whether it's to run the site or donate it somewhere else where it will do more good (than sitting in my pocket.)
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How Do you do that ? Money never just sits in my pocket.

I like the way this post had stoked the coals of concern for the membership and site health in general.  Without really knowing it going in, I now think it's what I wanted in the begining!   

The 10 post requirement brought so many members into regular activity, and this post seems to be serving to back up that new energy. 

I don't need nor want anymore money right now. All the money collected goes to either:

1. Paying the hosting bills
2. Buying food/drinks for events like HMB
3. Buying prizes for AOTY
4. AOTY hoodies.
5. Donated hoodies/shirts to other events

Any money left over (last year that was $25) buys me food The last thing I want to do is turn this into some huge money making endeavor, that makes something I do for fun and turns it into a business. If I run this as a business I make different decisions, most would not be ones I would want to have to make.

I will however support people that want to make $. I have no problem making money, in fact I like it a lot. I just don't want to turn NCKA proper into something that requires me to be worried where the next $1 is coming from. It took me 3 years of fairly large loses to get to the point last year where I made money. I need to make some money to keep the IRS off my back, otherwise the tax bill is going to put me back in negative territory (both $ and WAF)

I appreciate everyone that pays for AOTY, donates prizes, hussles prizes, buys ad space etc to help support this site. Without them and all the great members, this site is not great.