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WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS TO INCREASE THE BALANCE SHEET?
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11/21/2013 16:42
newman 
11/21/2013 16:42
newman 

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS TO INCREASE THE BALANCE SHEET?

Hi to everyone. I recently attended a meeting in Munich of the International Dupuytren Society. The minutes revealed that the financials for the Society could be in better shape. I note that on the Registered Users Link there are some 128 pages of registered users. How many of us make donations or are financial members. (Only 25 euros annually to be a financial member. For those on the forum who might not know the Society is run by volunteers. Members like Wolfgang Wach give an enormous amount of their free time, for which they are not paid. The costs of running this site for example come from donations and membership fees. I often read how many on the forum are grateful for the information they have access to from this site. I would like to throw open a suggestion - How can the Balance Sheet be improved. Use the 'Private Message' to Wolfgang should you not wish comment on the forum. Lets have some brain storming!

Edited 11/21/13 19:08

11/21/2013 20:06
Seph 
11/21/2013 20:06
Seph 

Re: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS TO INCREASE THE BALANCE SHEET?

newman; Have you considered having a full and restricted access set-up as they do with many online newspapers and magazines. NY Times for example allows 10 articles to be read per month for free after that you must pay. Maybe certain parts of the site could be blocked or alternatively allow only 1 login per week unless you are a financial member.

I appreciate that there would be a bit of web redesign work required and additional admin costs but provided the annual fee for full access was modest it seems to me that most would not have an issue.

The added advantage of this type of approach is that it acts as a reminder system.

11/21/2013 21:46
spanishbuddha 

Administrator

11/21/2013 21:46
spanishbuddha 

Administrator

Re: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS TO INCREASE THE BALANCE SHEET?

The financial membership option, and the donation option (they are different), are quite well hidden on the website. This may be deliberate however? There's nothing specific on the forum, just the same pull down. I often get the impression that some people visiting the forum have not explored the website.

Wikipedia occasionally makes 'splash banner' appeals for funds, and the society could also occasionally do this.

I hardly ever look at the Facebook page, do others? It seems to have some traction in the UK (the BDS FB site), but conversely maybe it is mostly younger people using Facebook, and Dupuyten's is less likely to affect them.

The society could make, occasional, direct appeals to its registered forum users. I did not know there are only 128. That seems quite low, so the result may also be quite low. Does that include the non-English language forums? I used to directly request people support the BDS when personally answering their emails. It did produce some donations but very small.

The BDS has a shop, but I don't know how successful that is for fundraising.

Ads! Don't shoot the messenger. But the viewing target audience may be low. Ads on the FB or YT channel too.

11/21/2013 21:56
callie 
11/21/2013 21:56
callie 
Re: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS TO INCREASE THE BALANCE SHEET?

Nothing personal, but I really don't like that idea. I have seen many newspaper forums lose almost all input because of the subscription method. That could defeat the whole purpose of this open discussion forum. It doesn't take much to discourage a few people.

11/21/2013 22:55
Tusk 
11/21/2013 22:55
Tusk 
Re: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS TO INCREASE THE BALANCE SHEET?

128 pages x 20 per page = 2,500 (although many don't post any more)
and Wolfgang mentioned one time there are 10 times more visitors than posters

In my opinion you don't want to attach any usage fees to this board. It would prevent some from getting the help they can find on here.

11/22/2013 07:26
newman 
11/22/2013 07:26
newman 

Re: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS TO INCREASE THE BALANCE SHEET?

It is good to see the suggestions coming through. Maybe when a new member logs on the option of becoming a financial member or making a small donation could be included somehow.

11/22/2013 15:05
callie 
11/22/2013 15:05
callie 
Re: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS TO INCREASE THE BALANCE SHEET?

I think that is a good idea newman. I think another idea would be to have an always available window on the site to make donations if a person is so inclined. Perhaps in the window on left that includes "forum", Personal Experiences", Search forum", etc. It wouldn't be pushy to inhibit comments, but would be quietly available.

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