Some forum changes are coming....

Originally Posted by jimmie

I will say this public bashing is not okay with me that opinon could have been made to wolf pirvately not wide open and if so then your open for criticism.Like pulling your pants down in public either get laughed at or wowed!!

I said my piece, and you have said your piece . . . it's all good. My initial post was as much as response to a previous thread reguarding "what can be done to increase membership" as it was about the impending forum changes. If ya'll are happy hovering around the 200 mark as far as membership goes, then keep on doing what you are doing . . . and the hobby will survive as long as the last surviving member of the forum. This hobby already has a number of strikes going against it; it takes time, imagination, it's expensive, and it has rapidly diminishing name recognition among the younger generation, don't add exclusivity too that list. If finances are an issue . . . and it's natural that they would be, perhaps it is time to take a good look at what you are spending money on. For example, in this "green is good" era, does it really make sense (ecologically or economically) to publish a glossy magazine four times a year? How does this serve the "original" MFCA mission statement when the "printed copies" are strictly for members? Is this not just a "warm fuzzy" for those who are already on board with the hobby? Would it not make sense to hold off on the expense of a glossy magazine until association is large enough to accomodate it financially and get it out into public circulation? Until such time, wouldn't a downloadable .pdf version serve just as well and be more cost effective? You have to ask yourself, who is the association serving? If the answer is the "paying members" . . . then what you have is a "private club". When "member benefits" and "mission statement" collide, how much credibility does ANY entity have when they change the "mission" to suit the "members". Something is backward here. This is why I have chosen not to become a member until I see that association is truly dedicated to moving beyond the BS from the past with more than lip-service, and backs it up with steady enforcement of its rules and bylaws.

To CorEy, Ken, and Steve . . . I appreciate the kind words, and the feelings are mutual.

[WEIRDWOLF]

The magazine costs us $32.00 a year per person to print and ship. Originally it cost $29.00. This is covered completely by the gold membership which will need to go up to $55 at the start of the year 2010. Thus the magazine is not an expense incured by the MFCA that takes away from anything we do. Also, the older pdf versions are available for download to the general public at no cost. Being able to hand a hard copy magazine to a new interested person gives us validity and legitimacy and helps promote the hobby through the positive info presented.

Membership has not increased signifigantly since we hit the 200 mark with the forum wide open for all to see. Maybe, this is all there is.

[jimmie]

Hey eightball I actually agree with you on a lot of what u are saying in some ways but you know when u throw mud some flings back on u.

Originally Posted by jimmie

Hey eightball I actually agree with you on a lot of what u are saying in some ways but you know when u throw mud some flings back on u.

I didn't really think I was throwing mud . . . lol . . . but I understand what you are saying. Because you and I don't know each other, I took no offense at what you posted. Besides, If I was afraid of getting a little dirty I would have kept my thoughts to myself. Conflict can be good if something positive comes from it. My purpose for posting what I did was simply to offer the other side of the coin. Will not having access to this forum have a major impact on my life? No, not really. Right now I am knee-deep in pursuing a degree in Digital Filmmaking, Communications, and Marketing . . . so at this juncture I have no time for hobbies. I do check the forum from time to time when I have a break to see what's going on, but it's not a part of my daily or even weekly routine. This hobby has potential for some significant growth, but the window of opportunity is closing. The comments I have posted are not for my benefit, but for the future of the hobby. For better or worse, ya'll are the champions of that future . . . what the future holds for the hobby lays in your hands.