Contributions

[The_Committee]

Many clubs post the names of members who are past due on their accounts. Perhaps this is an idea whose time has come for GCA.

It is good to see that contributions continue to roll in to support this website. Why, though, are there so many regular contributors to the DG who are not $$ contributors the GCA? We are talking about the cost of one round of golf! The names are there for everyone to see, in terms of who the users are who have not ponied up. Come on guys, don't make me call you out by name...

[Jeff_Lewis]

Glad to see somebody mention this. I think we should all recognize Ran for the amount of his valuable time (and money)that he has put out to create this unique venue for all of us.

[The_Committee]

Well, I guess if these guys don't want to 'fess up, we are going to have to start pointing out who they are...We can start by looking at the Barona thread...certainly a few heavy users there who have no sent in a dime. What's the story fellas?

[Kevin_Reilly]

I will contribute in 5 minutes as soon as payment can be made by Paypal. That is the easiest way to send money around on the internet.  Ran could sign up for Paypal and start accepting contributions that way...it would take less than a couple of minutes to set it up at www.paypal.com .  

Without Paypal I would have to ask my wife for a check and given the fact that g-o-l-f is a 4 letter word to her I'd rather not do it if I didn't have to.    Sorry if that sounds like I don't have any nads, but that's just the way it is.  

Note that several sites now take member "contributions" this way...it really is easy and convenient.  For an example of how it works on another site (a Porsche owners forum called Rennlist) check out this link:

http://www.rennlist.com/members.htm#PayPal

[Richard_Goodale]

As one of the obvious miscreants, let me state my position.  I do not believe that one who contributes significant content to this website should also be required to contribute money.  All credit to those who believe and act otherwise, but that is their personal decision.  Now, as for those lurkers and people who post anonymously, thus gaining all the benfits of this great site without any expenditure of intellectual capital..........

[Scott_Burroughs]

Shivas and all,

The address and suggested max amount are both listed in the Contributions link on the sidebar below Art & Architecture.  Or should I say, 4 links below Discussion Group.  

[brad_miller]

RG, I don't know what to say, maybe you should keep your posts to yourself and write a book, that I might say very few would buy and SBP wouldn't publish. Hope you rethink your position.

[Tom Doak]

I have not contributed anything but my time.

Frankly, I think it would be a conflict of interest for architects to contribute to the web site.  It would be equivalent to "buying time" to promote oneself.  And I'm pretty sure Ran does not want to limit the discussion to those who pay.

You guys tell me if I'm wrong.

[Richard_Goodale]

Brad

Thanks for the advice.  I've reconsidered my position, as you asked, and it is still the right one, for me.  I'm very pleased that you feel the other way.

[John_Conley]

Who's on "The Committee" and whose interest does it represent?  Did anyone else find it odd that it was anonymous?

If it is speaking on behalf of Ran, why not Ran?

I've just been too lazy to send in my check and will get around to it sometime.

[Ed_Baker]

As we have a number of anonymous posters it would be a simple matter to send a modest anonymous contribution by money order wouldn't it. Because in all practicality without the dough, eventually there is no website, The Morrisetts can't be expected to row the boat alone forever.

[John_Conley]

Oh, almost forgot...

How can I be "past due" when I don't owe anyone anything?

"Perhaps this is an idea whose time has come..." ??

Ran's initial plea was that is was voluntary and he didn't expect anything.  If it changed just tell me.

[Scott_Burroughs]

Tom,

Of the at least 4 architects who have contributed, I don't ever recall seeing any of them promote themselves one bit, unless you're referring to contributing to the site as being self-promotion, which I don't.

I realize that you volunteered to step down as the curator of the GM ratings panel for the obvious conflict of interest it has, but that is still the truth, where the great number of architects on the panel certainly would have conflicts of interest rating other architects' work.  And that is a commercial operation, which this isn't.  This is solely a forum to discuss architecture, of which architects have some interest in.

This site is simply a volunteer toll road, where the users pay for the use and upkeep.  Without it, it disappears.

And to all and Mr. Committee,

It IS strictly voluntary, as Ran stressed when he started it, and there is no obligation to give.  I watch some public televison and listen to some public radio, but I've never once pledged money to them.  It is voluntary.  Just as there is no obligation to listen/watch commercials, which are there to pay for the free radio/TV you're watching/listening to.

I do think that Ran should post which month we contributed in so we'll known when to send in next year's donation.

[John_D._Bernhardt]

I have never felt any pressure to contribute and would not want anyone else to feel any either. I did contribute for reasons that are not relevant to this discussion.

[jg7236]

As soon as I can find a JOB, my contribution will be on its way.

[Scott_Burroughs]

double post.

[Kelly_Blake_Moran]

Tom:

I think you are wrong.  I see no professional gain in contributing.  I would hope Ran would not treat any architect differently whether they contribute or not.  I contributed because I feel I am paying for a service.  I pay for NPR, PBS  and for a local Philly music station XPN because they are member supported and I use them a lot.  I owe them for the service they provide.  But, I understand your point, and respect your concern for your credibility.  I pay for a subscription to GolfWeek and Golfweek Superintendent, and have contributed articles, but I see my subscription as unrelated to my articles.  I do not take ads in those magazines.  That is what tweaks me, like in Links magazine where you see Faldo ads, plus he gets to contribute a column.  Whose greasing who?

[Kelly_Blake_Moran]

One more thing Tom:

You have been interviewed on this website, so your contribution could not be interpreted as a bribe to get an interview with Ran.  Everybody on this site has the highest respect for you, so your contribution would not be interpreted in a negative way.  

[BCrosby]

Rich -

On your logic, may we assume that after your next mediocre post, Ran should expect a check in the next day's post?

When you are out drinking with friends and you are at your  sparkling best, do you insist they pay your tab?

C'mon.

Bob

[JakaB]

I think we should start a cart fee fund for those members who can not walk and carry after a night of a few beers and outstanding conversation.

[darrin]

I echo John Conley's thoughts:
Who is "The Committee"?  It sure doesn't sound like the voice of a Morrissett.  But, I'm new to this board, so who knows?

Threatening to "out" senior members of the discussion group because they haven't contributed?  Sounds like a private club to me.  

Surely the sentiments espoused by the Committee could have been presented with more tact and less vitriol??  

[JakaB]

I think we should start a slim fast fund for those members who do walk and carry but hold up the entire event.  This money could be sent directly to me.

[Richard_Goodale]

Bob

This thread started out as mediocre and unsparkling and has gone downhill ever since (including my ill-advised attempt to be honest).  I'll be happy to answer any further questions about this issue privately if anybody really cares about my opinion, rather than waste Ran's valuable bandwidth with the picking of nits and/or savage indignation.

Cheers

Rich

[Don_Mahaffey]

Interesting thread.
One of my dreams is to develop a private golf club where at the end of the year you divide the expenses by the number of members and send everyone one bill a year. Of course you would collect the first year in advance and then adjust from there. Why can't we do that here? I know it cost money to run this site, but how much, and why can't we simply divide it by the number of users? I can't believe if everyone chipped in it would cost each of us very much. So lets start by asking the "committee" how much the annual expenses are for this site?  
            

[Doug Wright]

Don,

Re your idea I've heard that's how it's done at Castle Pines GC. A likely true story is that in one of the early years of the club a member asked Jack Vickers, the founder and iron-fisted owner, for a summary of the club's expenses for the year. What he got back from Jack was a letter notifying him that he was no longer a member of the club!

All The Best,