Some forum changes are coming....

[jimmie]

I going to say what the others wont but if 20 one time fee is too much then you dont need a hobby but a better job come on guys really!!!

[mantaraydre]

coaches,


The question non paying members must ask themselves,

FOR $20 A YEAR, IS IT WORTH IT TO BE HERE OR NOT ?

If you are on this chatboard ALL THE TIME, i think you have your answer.

I have a FRIENDY QUESTION for all the non payers.

1) How do you feel about the members who do pay ? (Are we suckers for paying, or coaches who want to build the MFCA at a cost)

2) What would you think if we all stopped paying and there is no magazine, convention and all the other luxuries that cost money.

3) Does it bother you whatsover that the coach standing next to you is paying his dues and you know your not ? (But your on the same chatboard getting the same information)

4)what would you say to him if he asked you when do you pay your dues,the first or second cycle ?.(Just out of curiousity to see if you both are in the same cycle)

5) We had 2 great conventions already. They would be even greater if everyone on this chatboard paid there dues, AGREED ?

6) No matter what cycle you are required to submitt your dues, if you saved $1 a week you can get it done rather easily.

**In everyday life, people spend $5 to $6 on breakfast(In NY). A few hours later spend $7 to $8 dollars on lunch. Sprinkle in $2 to $3 on snacks. That's just life, people spend as they go.

so the underliying question is, AND BE %1000,000 HONEST.

***DO YOU THINK THE MFCA IS WORTH YOUR $20 A YEAR ?

There is no grey area or any sort of red tape, just a point blank question.
(IT'S EITHER YES OR NO )
I would understand if it was $20 a month !

***DO YOU THINK THE MFCA IS WORTH YOUR $20 A YEAR ?

MantarayDre

[mark robin]

im not speaking for anyone but me, in the last 4 months ive lost my job(career), lost my sister(43 yrs young) and my brother, 4 weeks ago had a massive heart attack and flatlined on the gurny(sp.) he is 41. just this week ive resolved a riot with LEO's and saved over 15 people from going to jail, so what im saying is, this is a great hobby, but we shouldnt have to pay for it. i know , twenty bux aint nuthin to some cats, and we should all join, but sometimes life gets in the way. when i get an extra 20, i will send it in to join, but being pressured with all lifes trials and tribulations makes it tuff sometimes. please dont hate, hell i could cancel my internet and then i could afford it, or i could eat 5 less burgers a month and afford it, DONT count. to the powers that be, send all of us non members a link to join, and give options for credit card/paypal/ or money order, help us by simplifying it.

[WEIRDWOLF]

Originally Posted by mark robin

send all of us non members a link to join, and give options for credit card/paypal/ or money order, help us by simplifying it.

The links are already there and available. http://www.miniaturefootball.org/sit...fm?pageID=1223
Click new member.
Fill out the form.
You can then PayPal or send any form of other payment (personal check, cash, M.O.) you wish. The only thing we can't take is a straight out credit card but PayPal takes care of that.

For those that are facing hard times: If you can't do $20, then send in $5 now and $5 next month etc etc as long as you get it paid in a 4 month period. It is a bit more complicated for us from an accounting standpoint, but we can happily help anyone who is strapped in this way.

[mark robin]

thx

[jimmie]

Look Mark those are aweful things that have happen to you just that you are still being around the chat board is a testimate to God for he would never give you more than you can handle.And when its gets to tough turn it over to him for these are not your battles!!! Its the lords.The hobby is fun is free but the board isnt and we arent a big company with money to burn we need support thats what we are asking.For your loses God is working though you my friend keep the faith!!

[RavennaAl]

I may be wrong on this, but I believe that we are only talking about limiting certain sections of the chat board to members only, not shutting off the whole thing. New people coming to the site will still have access to the main ( or general) chat area. They just won't have access to the tips, buy and sell, league info, and the pictures areas. They will still be able to read what's going on in general chatsville. The same for guys who have registered to chat on the board, but aren't MFCA members. After their 30 day trial period ends, they will still be able to post in the main forum, but not in the other areas. If they want more, then they have to join up. Otherwise, I guess they can go back to M****** where they can talk about B******* and **.net and remember why they came over here in the first place....

I know this idea is not being presented incorrectly. To me it is very clear. But the strong-arm recruiting tactics are not going to convince anyone with a mind of their own. When someone challenges your ideas with valid remarks, why put them down? Money IS an issue for quite a few people these days. They, me included, are forced to trim down (as if i'm not a friggin scarecrow already). To belittle them by saying $20.00 is "nothing" is demeaning to some. Plus you probably have no idea how bleak their personal situation might be. If $20 is "nothing" to YOU, then why don't YOU pay for their membership?

Point is, there is no reason to tell someone their choice to join or not is beneath your choice. It is their choice to make, not yours. Bottom line is they either will or they will not. Be happy with YOUR choice.

Personally, my membership is NOT current. It has lapsed. And I do NOT have the funds available at the moment to renew. I COULD drop $20 on basic membership but that is NOT what I CHOOSE to do. I am selling off some of my valuables (valuable to me and have some worldly worth) in order to pay the $50 membership fee. I will renew when I can do THAT. But my hospital bills are past due and the dryer just got fixed TODAY and.............. all true but redundant..... add others personal situations here____________.

I have spoken to Wolf on my situation more than once. He NEVER tried to strong-arm me, never talked down to me, never said "you have until.... or take a hike." More important, the point that seems to be missed completely is, no one is being "turned away" for not joining. They WILL have forum access. Those that additionally support (fund through memberships) get more access and more perks. This IS how a successful organization runs. I do not know how much clearer these points can be made. Though I have TRIED to make them from both the concerned non-members (choice to join, not join) and from the point of the organization (basic access versus additional access/perks). I mean really, what more is reasonable to ask of either?

-Mike Pratt

[RavennaAl]

Mike, I understand your position completely. In these times, money is very tight for many of us. Myself, I worked on a few cars at home to make a little extra cash for the MFCA convention, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to go.

I also could have gone the $20 membershp, because I was told that being a main writer and assistant editor for the Tweak, I should be able to get a free copy for all the work I put into it. But, I went for the $50 a year route because I felt like I shoud pay for it the same as anyone else would. My work on the Tweak is my contribution for other thngs that I can not help out with. One dollar a week isn't going to break me. Two, maybe, but not one.

As I stated before, perhaps a little too bluntly, if you can not afford it, that's ok. You can still chat on the main forum, maybe even the off topic section as well. The rest will just be an added perk for those that can afford to support the cause. That's all....

Al,

My commentary was not aimed towards your previous post at all. I wanted to show that others can not and should not make definitive statements about other people's situations and choices to join or not. Even though in some ways I completely agree with their view, it serves no good purpose for the MFCA (changing one's mind if on the fence to join or not) to berate them or belittle them over their decision.

OTOH, there ARE some people that look at most organizations (and many other things in life) as an entitlement program. And that sort of approach will eventually neuter the drive to excel and accomplish that is within most human beings. I.E., If you give away everything that others bust their humps to achieve then there is little reason to make it happen. Why bother? After all, someone else will do it for you, eventually, and just hand it to you anyway. Berate or belittle away those people and you waste your time. They are NOT going to join anyway and never were. In these cases I DO see the potential frustration by paid membership. But bashing them or pressuring them will not get them to join.

Make your case by highlighting the advantages of membership and its different levels. That serves as a good platform of information for those considering joining so they can make a better informed decision.

I, for one, am a LOT more optimistic about the future of the MFCA than I ever was before. None of it has to do with current number of members or the projected numbers for the near future. It has all to do with a much needed change that will strengthen the foundation of the organization. Without a strong foundation, the structure above, no matter how eye-poppingly glorious it might be to gaze at, will crumble. The MFCA is in the process of using rebar and concrete for its foundation. Once completed, it should stand on its own for as long as it is properly maintained.

"Dryer man" has been paid. Was hand drying laundry for almost 4 weeks. That sux. But I embraced the humility. It keeps one grounded. I sold some stuff this week - Outstanding hospital bills will be paid up by Wednesday - 4 months past due. We (our newly formed and questionably talented band) have another gig this weekend. Even if we stink the place up I will have made more than enough to pay my annual $50 membership fee. So I will be renewed by Sunday. .... that completes this portion of The Mike Pratt's Poorhouse Financial Report. Film At 11....

-Mike Pratt