I happened to check the site out and was flattered that there was a forum of I MISS SOMEBEACH. I actually signed in to check on Moncha after a member sent me an e-mail saying he was sick. I would like those site supporters who proudly boast their status to know I too was planning to support the site. I am not a wealthy man but $20.00 is not a big deal. Prior to taking the time to send my Paypal donation I noticed a devision in those who support and those who do not. It didn't matter why a person didn't donate it was about those who did and those who did not. One member was talking about needing tires and everyone pitched in to help out. I thought how nice that was to help out a person in need. As I am sure other members are in financial distress, it did not matter (to a few) who took it upon themselves to decide if you use the site you should pay. I stumbled onto another forum where it talked of persons who do not support and some members refered to them as "free loaders". I thought it was sad that members of this site, not Moncha (the boss), took it upon theirselves to decide non supporters were obligated to donate money. In fact, there is quite a bit of discussion on supporting the site. There is so much talk on supporting the site that I was a little offended that members would PM me to directly ask for money. Then to suggest I saved all this money and owe the savings to the site just hit me wrong. The site is free and any money given is a donation. Yet there was so much dialogue regarding those who did not donate $20.00. I know others feel like me and some of those may struggle to come up with the money. I would like to leave by saying I am not a free loader. I am a procrastinator but not a free loader. But before I could contribute I felt like i was not part of the group. I have to wonder what is said between yourselves in private messages about persons who have not donated.
I want to leave this site by saying I did enjoy the conversations and looked forward to getting on this site each night as I wound down from the stresses of my job. As a group you have made it clear that free loading is not accepted. I honor that decision and chose to quietly leave the site rather than get some friendly advice for free. I have posted this forum to help share what occurred. Had I not seen the forum discussing my failure to donate $20.00 I would have quietly faded away. I appreciate those who have contacted me to get me to sign on. I feel that since I was singled out as an example of a non supporter I would be embarrassed to ever sign on again. I think you guys would have liked me. I'm pretty funny and creative. As for Moncha, you have a fantastic site. I pray you feel well soon so you can get back to doing what you love.
As for those who are so passionate about site supporting I would recommend that you solicit donations by sharing the benefits. Encourage members to give but don't single them out. And never send a personal message to someone you don't know trying to make them feel guilty because they participated in a "how to" forum but they didn't donate. Some members refer to that as a gentle nudge. Let the forums nudge. I don't know how many members are not site supporters but they are members just like you. Praise those who give. End each of your chats by reminding the other members you are a site supporter. Get personalized license plates that say ST SPRTR. But don't seperate the group by making the non supporters feel they are inferior or free loading. You don't know why they aren't giving.
And that concludes my membership into this group. Hope I didn't offend anyone but hey, if I did you can open another forum like Glad Somebeach Is Gone or Can you Believe That Somebeach or maybe What A Cheap Bas&@%d Somebeach Is.
PEACE!
