Bandwidth problem

[Higgy]

I don't know how these things are done, but who does pay for this forum? It doesn't seem very fair if Theo is forking out of his own pocket for our benefit. I hadn't really though of this before as I am a bit selfish, should we all chuck in a few quid now and again?

[Theo]

Many people have donated, usually after selling an instrument through the 'buy & sell' forum so its not coming out of my own pocket.  Thanks for the thought though.

[tiny]

I must say I have not given this any thought either, I afraid to say it never crossed my mind.  I very much enjoy this forum and would be willing to contribute if necessary.

[Chris Ryall]

What with people creating links here on facebook the number of readers and users and therefore bandwidth draw will ever increase. I've already offered a donation privately, but then saw this thread. The 509 'Bandwidth Limit Exceeded' http error some of us got this evening is a shot across the forum's bows.

[edit] Trimmed back - see my more formal post below. What do people think?

[jilly]

Hi.
Re donations,maybe I'me a bit thick,I asked Theo how to send money after sale of instrument buy I can't work out which e.mail adress to send paypal payment to.
If this was to be made very clear then I suspect more cash could be donated.

[Chris Ryall]

Hi. Re donations,maybe I'me a bit thick,I asked Theo how to send money after sale of instrument buy I can't work out which e.mail adress to send paypal payment to.If this was to be made very clear then I suspect more cash could be donated.

I too find Theo over reticent about cash support (sorry, mate).  This forum seems to be his baby, but it has now grown like Topsy, and like my own daugthers has become expensive. Server breakdowns for lack of funds aren't in anyone's interest. But nor is running the thing on a shoe string.  We've now demonstrated a need to probably double capacity. That'll cost. 

Theo - I'd wishlist a permanent page somewhere .. and all implicit in that. These numbers are complete guesses.

   Melodeons.net is intended as a free forum but costs £450 a year to keep going
   Funds in November 09 are £73.  Regular users or readers can make a donation
   towards running costs - £20, £10 or £5 is suggested, according to your means.

   Donations to "UK Melodeon Trust", Bank of Wickham, Sunniside NE99 4MT
   Clearing code 01.02.03 a/c 12345678  or via Paypal <detail detal link> etc
   
Melodeons.net would seem to fit the Charities Act acceptable purpose under  "The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science". Registration as a charity would allow claim back of VAT and 20% tax on covenanted subscriptions. If it were part of eg "UK melodeon trust" I think it would go through easily. Colin Cater is involved in the East Anglia Trust - I'll try to tap his experience at Witney.

But it's all admin and that might be a bugbear. If Theo just wants to run the website could perhaps some of the mods act as trustees. I suspect there's paperwork involved, and accounts.  But trustees could simply keep these as a thread on the website.

Anyway - something to discuss?  I'm willing to put money (and time) where my mouth has led me.  This forum is worth it. 

[Steve_freereeder]

I am Treasurer for a music charity (The Sheffield Chamber Orchestra: www.sheffield-chamber-orchestra.org.uk) and we do indeed receive a substantial chunk of our income (nearly £1000 in recent years) from Inland Revenue Gift Aid refunds on members' subscriptions and donations. But we have considerable income and expenditure - our annual turnover is in the order of £17k - £20k; that's what it costs to run a small amateur orchestra giving three public concerts each year.

The Charity Commission requirements include an establishing an executive committee of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer as a minimum, who are also Trustees of the organisation concerned. We are required to keep proper accounts, audited and examined by an independent person, hold minuted Annual General and other Meetings, etc; all the stuff that Societies and Associations have to do, so there is quite a bit of admin work involved.

I'm not at all sure this is appropriate for this forum, at least as long as it remains a forum. If one was thinking of setting up a charitable organisation or society (such as the International Concertina Association, or the several UK Accordion Clubs) which held meetings and events for its membership, then that would be a different matter. If we wanted to form such an association, then this website and forum could be affiliated to it, I guess, if Theo felt like it.

We do have the potential membership for such an organisation, and it could be really good. But it would need some dedication and hard work to get it started and more importantly, to sustain it. Happy to advise and to be a member, but helping to run the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra is plenty for me to be going on with, so count me out from an executive or other committee capacity. 

To return to the current situation, I know that Theo receives cash donations from time to time which help defray the costs of running this website and forum, and I believe he is generally happy with the way things stand at present (correct me if I'm wrong Theo!). I also guess that if increased capacity were required (as seems likely), the extra costs could almost certainly be met in much the same way.

I would like to reiterate once more my thanks and appreciation to Theo for running and maintaining this website and forum. I love this place and everyone on it (even if I get grumpy from time to time  ); it enhances my life.

[ladydetemps]

I know the old Timelord (Doctor Who forum I now Mod/Admin) had a 'donate' button open to full members. Where you could donate anything from a few pence to a substantial amount towards the forums upkeep. That might be an idea.

[HallelujahAl]

If one was thinking of setting up a charitable organisation or society (such as the International Concertina Association, or the several UK Accordion Clubs) which held meetings and events for its membership, then that would be a different matter. If we wanted to form such an association, then this website and forum could be affiliated to it, I guess, if Theo felt like it.

We do have the potential membership for such an organisation, and it could be really good

Melodeonists of the world unite! I.M.A. (shame we couldn't sneak a T. in there so we could be ITMA!) - THEO for President!!!
Gets my vote (or is it a secret ballot?)
AL
 

[Lester]

(or is it a secret ballot?)
AL
 

We are not going to tell you because the fact that is is or is not a secret is itself a secret 

[ladydetemps]

(or is it a secret ballot?)
AL
 

We are not going to tell you because the fact that is is or is not a secret is itself a secret 

The first rule of melodeon club, is you don't talk of melodeon club

[Theo]

Hi. Re donations,maybe I'me a bit thick,I asked Theo how to send money after sale of instrument buy I can't work out which e.mail adress to send paypal payment to.If this was to be made very clear then I suspect more cash could be donated.

The link to donate is in this thread which is pinned at the top of the 'Buy & Sell' forum.  Lots of people have used this successfully.  I'm not aware of any problems with it.

I too find Theo over reticent about cash support (sorry, mate).  This forum seems to be his baby, but it has now grown like Topsy, and like my own daugthers has become expensive. Server breakdowns for lack of funds aren't in anyone's interest. But nor is running the thing on a shoe string.  We've now demonstrated a need to probably double capacity. That'll cost. 

Theo - I'd wishlist a permanent page somewhere .. and all implicit in that. These numbers are complete guesses.
   Melodeons.net is intended as a free forum but costs £450 a year to keep going
   Funds in November 09 are £73.  Regular users or readers can make a donation
   towards running costs - £20, £10 or £5 is suggested, according to your means.

Those figures are way off.

The webhosting costs £60 a year now that I have doubled the bandwidth, domain name cost £7 for two years.  That's it.  There is plenty in the piggy bank to cover next years bills, so if people  continue to donate after selling through mel.net that will ensure the future of this site.

 
Melodeons.net would seem to fit the Charities Act acceptable purpose under  "The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science". Registration as a charity would allow claim back of VAT and 20% tax on covenanted subscriptions. If it were part of eg "UK melodeon trust" I think it would go through easily. Colin Cater is involved in the East Anglia Trust - I'll try to tap his experience at Witney.

But it's all admin and that might be a bugbear. If Theo just wants to run the website could perhaps some of the mods act as trustees. I suspect there's paperwork involved, and accounts. 

Please no charity status!  Mountains of paperwork, written constitution, AGM, office bearers, accounts, auditors etc, etc.  It works the way it is, there is enough donations to cover costs.  It works.