Important announcement - Answering the MFCA Value question.

[WEIRDWOLF]

I have given a lot of thought to the discussion which took place under the thread, “The MFCA Value?” The discussion was everything I had hoped for and it helped immensely as we develop the MFCA direction. What I saw the most was the passion for miniature football. Regardless of your stance, those that posted all had that one thing in common, the passion for the game! Thanks to that, whether you are a MFCA member or not, the future looks bright for the hobby.

So here is what everyone has tuned in for!

The MFCA has a duty to promote this hobby and educate the public. With that in mind….the MFCA forum will remain free (before you jump ship or start the impeachment process-read on) . It is our greatest promotional tool at this time and it is the MFCA’s responsibility to keep it available to new coaches who come looking to learn about the hobby. However, (you knew there had to be a however) we are making some adjustments.

First, anyone who is currently registered on the forum, you will see no changes, MFCA member or not. All of the forum members to date helped to drive this site to the level that it has achieved. I believe that all of the users have made valuable contributions and we would not be where we are without you. The MFCA does however, (there’s that however again) strongly encourage you to become a member when the time is right within each of your particular circumstances. The site has value to all and by joining the MFCA, it is the greatest way for you to acknowledge the benefits of this board and what it does for miniature football. We have also added a donation button so that at the very least, if you are a daily user or just like what we are trying to do, you can contribute to the running of this forum.

For anyone who registers on the site after today, we are going to apply certain limits to these accounts. These will include such things as no avatars, smaller pm folders, restricted photo options, etc… These are yet to be fully determined but consider it a trial basic account in hopes that they will someday join the MFCA to have the full use of the forum. We are also going to be rearranging some of the forums; adding a New Coaches and Solitaire section for example.

For businesses and sellers who operate on the forum on a more than regular basis. You will be asked to take a greater role in supporting the forum through donations to the garage sales or other fundraisers and advertising in the Tweak or on the website. We are also considering, creating a MFCA business membership. The details of this will take more time to work out. We want and need you on the forum but there should be a fair return to the MFCA for the use of the forum as a place used to advertise your wares.

There will be a MFCA Members area but strictly for committee meetings, MFCA business, voting and other such items relating to the running of the MFCA Association. It will be a password protected area and open only to MFCA Members for the purposes stated above.

We are also constructing new membership levels to go with these changes. The simple fact is, the magazine is a killer financially. With the recent raises in postage and a printing hike, at $30 membership we are at best breaking even. The magazine costs $5.61 to print, $1.74 to mail plus trips to the post office, printer, etc. All together, not counting the trips, that comes to $29.40 just for the 4 issues. We love the Tweak! It takes an incredible effort by many to produce but it is breaking the bank. Thus, we have no choice but to make the following membership changes. If you already renewed your membership at the previous $30 level, we will honor that for the coming year and you will receive your 4 printed editions.

New Membership Levels

MFCA Membership-Full website access and all membership rights. 4 Tweak emailed PDF’s $20.00 annually. You may add on a hardcopy subscription to the magazine for $30.00. This will be designated as a Gold Membership.

Platinum MFCA Membership-5 year Membership Full website access and all membership rights. 4 Tweak Issues delivered to your door. $225.00 (Keep in mind that postage and other things are most likely going up, so a savings of $25 now could mean much more in the future)

Business Membership-Details yet to be determined

I hope that these changes are understood and I invite anyone with questions to email me at weirdwolf@weirdwolf.net. The success of the MFCA, as written in the by-laws, rests on my shoulders as President. It is my feeling, after many conversations and discussions and with much input that these changes are in the best overall interest of the MFCA and the hobby.

[FrustratedFinFan]

I donated $5 today. The changes seem reasonable and I think $5 a year for this board is a fair donation. Thanks for not closing up everything to existing member of the forum. It seems that good sense was used in the decisions made for this board

[Silverhorse 228]

I actually said a prayer in church this morning that everyone would see these changes as positive and necessary. I think the thread that started all of this was the most positive thing to happen to this hobby in recent memory. It was a real boost to my morale and it just proves, that although we are a small group...put all of our passion together...we can move mountains. I had a great two hour phone conversation with Jim Jackson (aka Jimmie) last night and it was like old times again. Jim tried to start this type of organization over 13 years ago and the conversation we had just re-energized me to not let the MFCA die. All of you are great for the hobby...thanks Jim for the inspiration and for the support...

I will be the first to purchase a 5-year membership, because I believe in the MFCA and I want to be a part of this hobby for the rest of my life.

Long Live the MFCA!

[GreenBayGlenn]

Is this available right now, or is it "soon to come"? What do we need to do to get this going? Thanks.

And, on the DONATION button, is that just to support this chatboard only, or is it also for funds into the MFCA as well? ? ? ? ?

Thanks, and keep up the good work.

[5-13 Studios]

yes, i think that "grandfathering" all of the existing forum members was a very wise desicion.
everything that is laid out looks good. i will be interested to see how it turns out, long-term.

[WEIRDWOLF]

Originally Posted by GreenBayGlenn

Is this available right now, or is it "soon to come"? What do we need to do to get this going? Thanks.

And, on the DONATION button, is that just to support this chatboard only, or is it also for funds into the MFCA as well? ? ? ? ?

Thanks, and keep up the good work.

It is both. The funds will go into the overall pool to maintain the forum and the MFCA proper.

[Shabby J]

Well done Wolf!

I know getting to this point was not easy and I appreciate everything.

To all I may have offended in our discussion of this topic I apologize.

My love for the hobby had my emotions taking over and posting when I should have shut up and sat back.

[WEIRDWOLF]

Originally Posted by GreenBayGlenn

Is this available right now, or is it "soon to come"? What do we need to do to get this going?

The new pay buttons will be up by Monday afternoon.

[bigdawg43]

By no change do you mean if I am a member already I get a hard copy of the tweak until my membership runs out?

[detroitchild]

Wolf,

I think this arrangement is more than fair to most involved. I know it was not easy getting to this point but you (and everyone who participated in this discussion) did a great job in moving us forward. Hopefully we can all now continue working to improve this hobby.

Don