Isaiah, I'm shocked and appalled that you would support this. Perhaps you didn't read my prior e-mail... if we can't provide it ourselves free of charge there is TREMENDOUS value in directing users to the resource without transcribing, etc. If there is a fee for materials that a volunteer feels is one fee too much (because those fees here & there certainly add up), then point the user to that information and let them incur the cost if they feel the information is worth it to them. If they then feel like they'd like to share, that's their prerogative. This is a free of charge project at it's very core. I realize what you intend does not charge users for the info, but it certainly doesn't sit with me as fully free of charge. I supply a WORLD of information that costs NOTHING. --Heather ----- Original Message ----- From: Isaiah Harrison <IsaiahH@cox.net> Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 20:54:12 -0700 To: STATE-COORD-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [STATE-COORD] Soliciting Funds > At 04:23 PM 8/20/2003 -0500, you wrote: > >Well, the Wright County Historical & Genealogical Society is a Friend of the > >MOGenWeb Project, specifically the Wright County division thereof. > > > >So, since it is incorporated non-profit and since the information on the > >site is FREE access, I fail to see any difference in WCHS soliciting > >"donations" and "Friends of IAGenWeb" soliciting funds. FOIAGW is going at > >it the "right way?" If I've read correctly, they are "in the process" of > >getting their non-profit status established. > > > >Shucks! WCH&GS already has been able to accept gifts and give receipts for > >contributions (thus making them tax deductible) because of its doing things > >THE RIGHT WAY! Nothing was accepted until ALL the legal work was done. > >Seems to me that is MORE RIGHT! > > > >And, no money has ever been accepted because of the information on the > >website because of a promise given to Megan Z. who was NC of the Project and > >SC of MO at the time I was given the site. Now, it appears that there's a > >new Sheriff in town and the laws seem to have changed. > > > >If what Friends of IAGenWeb is doing and is planning on doing is okay bylaws > >wise......as we have been told......then, what's fair for one is fair for > >all. > > > >So, let the Free For All begin! > > > >Phyllis > > What IAGenWeb is doing is hardly a free for all. We have a logo/link on > most of our pages that says: "Space for the IAGenWeb Pages is provided by > Friend of IAGenWeb. Thanks." The link goes to the Friends of IAGenWeb > pages. If people choose to click on the link, they are given the > opportunity to find out about the Friends and to make a donation if they > want to. > > It is very low key. In fact, the plans of Friends are to secure corporate > sponsorship once we have our not-for-profit status. The links are there > primarily for the information they provide. It is far to passive an > approach for effective fund-raising. Gee, maybe we should try "Pledge > Weeks." ;=} > > -Isaiah > > > > > -- __________________________________________________________ Sign-up for your own personalized E-mail at Mail.com http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup CareerBuilder.com has over 400,000 jobs. Be smarter about your job search http://corp.mail.com/careers