Some forum changes are coming....

[WEIRDWOLF]

I don't have the offical writeup from the annual business meeting yet, but many items were discussed in great detail. One of the items discussed, that will affect many people on the forum, was to change which forums could be viewed by the public. There was much discussion and by an almost unanimous vote, the following changes will be enacted on the forum.

1) A new face to the miniaturefootball.org main page will be established over the coming months that will present a modern, slick, bright and informative page dedicated to showing the new coach or passerby what miniature football is and has become. It will include many of the features already in place and will show a photo of the day pulled from the locker room forum, tips, FAQ, News, polls and much more that will help promote the hobby.

2) Users
-Unregistered guests to the forum will only be able to view the Main site and the Tailgate Party and FAQ sections of the forum.
-New registered users from their date of signup will be given a 30 day trial period and will have access to all forums except the Trading Forum and the Download Center. After the 30 days, they will need to sign on or they will be set back to the guest level.
-Users currently registered on the forum who are NOT MFCA Members will keep their current status until Sept. 30, 2009. Anyone not signed on as a MFCA member at that time will be switched to guest status.
-MFCA Members will experience NO changes.

Please take note of these changes. There will be more updates as we move closer to the dates mentioned and we will post a complete business meeting report as soon as it is typed out.

I saw this coming a long time ago. My suspicions concerning the true purpose of the MFCA have just been confirmed. It’s a complete contradiction of the stated mission of the MFCA to morph this forum into a private club. I saw the handwriting on the wall the moment the MFCA hijacked this forum from the “hobby at large”, and this is just one of the many reasons I chose not to become a member. In all honesty I had hoped to be proven wrong; that the attitudes, egos and self interest would take a back seat and commitment to a higher purpose (i.e. introducing the hobby to the masses) would take root. Sadly, the last few months of posts have proven it has only gotten worse, and this latest “announcement” hammers the final nail in it. Best of luck with your “change” of direction . . . meanwhile, I’ll just sit back and watch it circle the bowl.

[WEIRDWOLF]

The MFCA isn't for everyone. Just like many associations. Some join and some don't. Ultimately, the forum is NOT a requirement of meeting our mission statement goals. By the way, we have also voted on and changed the mission statement to read; "Assisting the miniature football hobbyist by promoting miniature football, educating the public and providing a unified association which recognizes and supports the diverse coaches and leagues."

Much of what happens on the forum can be detrimental to the progress of the hobby. We are now taking it out of the public view and will offer a cleaner more profesional experience for the new coach entering or showing interest.

It has become increasingly clear that there are many people who will never help to foot the bill. Why should they reap the same benefits of those that do? We will still provide a place for the new coach to get information, photos and news and without having to wade through the nonsense. In my opinion, we are doing them a favor, continueing with our mission and will move forward with a more dedicated and committed group who truly believe in the progress of the hobby.

If you will note, much of the recent issues came from non-members. MFCA members are not totally innocent by a long shot, but we have a COC and it will be enforced with a much firmer hand than in the past. The tailgate section and the FAQ especially will incure larger penalties to those who do not uphold the tenants of the COC.

A Board of Director's will also be established in the next weeks replacing the President and officers. Overall, I am excited about the direction we are taking and know without a doubt that it has nothing to do with hidden agendas, ego's, self serving or any other "true purpose". Money or fame usually drives those kinds of things. Which of those do you believe is what the MFCA is after? I guarantee it's not money and being famous in miniature football is just being famous in miniature football. I don't expect to be signing any autographs in the near future nor do the rest of the people that will ultimately take up the leadership roles on the BOD.

Anyone who has sat back and has offered NO opinions or made any effort to become a part of this, has nothing to complain about.

Lynn schmidt

[mantaraydre]

8-BEE


This is by no means morphing into a private club. Why should i pay for cable and my neighbors are stealing it from my connection somehow ?
Why should i pay for a newspaper and your steady reading it looking over my shoulder during rush hour. why should the paying members cook the thanksgiving dinner while you pull up to the table ready to eat after not helping one bit ?

WHY SHOULD YOU GET THE SAME INFORMATION A PAYING MEMBER GETS ?

Nothing in life is for free, THIS CHATBOARD AND THE ENTIRE MFCA OPERATION COST MONEY TO RUN.

If you cant contribute $20 to $30 dollars per year to help the mfca operate, then you are advertising to me you are not dedicated to helping the hobby.
Someone will spend money on bases, figures, custom figures, decals, etc etc. But will not spend the $20 measly dollars to join the house where they got the information from to buy said decals, figures, bases and all other items.
This is looting the store in broad daylight. Many coaches have a MASSIVE PROBLEM WITH THESE SHINANIGAN'S AND IT WAS TIME TO STOP THE BLEEDING.

Call any bank and tell them im not going to have the mortage for a couple of months. I will get back with you in january. LETS SEE IF YOU HEAR FROM THEM EL PRONTO !!!

WE ARE PAYING A CHEAP MORTGAGE TO LIVE IN THE HOUSE CALLED THE MFCA.

I hope jim davis dont see this thread because he will it the roof !!!!!!!!






MANTARAYDRE OF THE MFCA

[sweetka]

Originally Posted by MANTARAY- DRE

8-BEE


This is by no means morphing into a private club. Why should i pay for cable and my neighbors are stealing it from my connection somehow ?
Why should i pay for a newspaper and your steady reading it looking over my shoulder during rush hour. why should the paying members cook the thanksgiving dinner while you pull up to the table ready to eat after not helping one bit ?

WHY SHOULD YOU GET THE SAME INFORMATION A PAYING MEMBER GETS ?

Nothing in life is for free, THIS CHATBOARD AND THE ENTIRE MFCA OPERATION COST MONEY TO RUN.

If you cant contribute $20 to $30 dollars per year to help the mfca operate, then you are advertising to me you are not dedicated to helping the hobby.
Someone will spend money on bases, figures, custom figures, decals, etc etc. But will not spend the $20 measly dollars to join the house where they got the information from to buy said decals, figures, bases and all other items.
This is looting the store in broad daylight. Many coaches have a MASSIVE PROBLEM WITH THESE SHINANIGAN'S AND IT WAS TIME TO STOP THE BLEEDING.

Call any bank and tell them im not going to have the mortage for a couple of months. I will get back with you in january. LETS SEE IF YOU HEAR FROM THEM EL PRONTO !!!

WE ARE PAYING A CHEAP MORTGAGE TO LIVE IN THE HOUSE CALLED THE MFCA.

I hope jim davis dont see this thread because he will it the roof !!!!!!!!






MANTARAYDRE OF THE MFCA

I think we should let Lynn handle this Dre.

[Treks1]

Eightball I can appreciate your opinion. We are still for bringing the hobby to the masses and some of the board topics will remain open the the passer-bye and the public at large.

Its appropriate for those who get the benefits of Board pay for those benefits. Membership in the MFCA is not an excessive financial burden the benefits worth the price.

[jimmie]

Maybe this forum is not for him he barely has used it 36 posts in three years,then wants to come out and complain because our club doesnt want to give it all away for free.Its outragous that some one who rarely even plays the game would make such statements.Its like a guy complain about the president but doesnt vote!!

[LARamsfan]

Although I understand there are financial burdens in operating this website, I hope you would reconsider your decision to make the MFCA a members-only club. This is a tough year on me finanacially. First, my wife was laid off in January. Secondly, I suffered a stroke last month. I will be out of work for 3 months. I am sure there are many others on this month who are a similar situation, especially in this bad economy. Please reconsider my request. I have learned a lot of things regarding electic football thanks to this website.

[Coach K-LO]

Originally Posted by Eightball

I saw this coming a long time ago. My suspicions concerning the true purpose of the MFCA have just been confirmed. It’s a complete contradiction of the stated mission of the MFCA to morph this forum into a private club. I saw the handwriting on the wall the moment the MFCA hijacked this forum from the “hobby at large”, and this is just one of the many reasons I chose not to become a member. In all honesty I had hoped to be proven wrong; that the attitudes, egos and self interest would take a back seat and commitment to a higher purpose (i.e. introducing the hobby to the masses) would take root. Sadly, the last few months of posts have proven it has only gotten worse, and this latest “announcement” hammers the final nail in it. Best of luck with your “change” of direction . . . meanwhile, I’ll just sit back and watch it circle the bowl.

what up 8ball....been awhile....

since you have not been "active" here, so much as changed and traveled under the bridge....someone will get your message and turn it into something ugly. That is one of the reason the MFCA will move into another direction. Those who support the efforts here have one purpose - to support the efforts here!

Sorry that you feel this way, but we all knew it was going to cost something at some point, but this way we all know what is going on without having to complain about it.

K-Lo