The recent question regarding the number of requests allowed per month led me to think of this, I'm sure there are pros and cons I haven't considered so any and all thoughts are welcome...

Perhaps the site stays "free" and anyone on earth can request a nominal number of names per month (5?), but then "members" who pay a membership fee get the benefit of requesting 20 names a month, for an annual tax deductible contribution of $20ish? 

It's out there, it's a paradigm shift from the philosophy of the site being free.  But people could still get addresses for free, just less.  Would that turn people off?  If 1000 of us are requesting addresses and 500 decide to pay a $20 annual fee... $10K?  Is that worth it?  (I can't find the stat with the # of peeps requesting addresses, so who knows what kind of $ we're really looking at...)  Is the administrative task of tracking who is a member and who is not, too cumbersome/expensive?  Would paying a fee give "abusers" the impression that they could abuse to their heart's content?  All unanswered questions...

Any other thoughts?

How about a sort of pay-as-you-go for members? Like if I get 10 addresses, I pay $2.00 (these are just numbers I'm throwing around), and for every 10 addresses I pay $2.00. That's for members of course. Members should also get a few benefits (like some "Members" page on the site), because without benefits, why not just take adresses for free?  I like your idea, I hope this helps.

 By the way, haven't been here in a while, so hi!

 I would be honored to be an annual membership fee.   To entice  people to still be part of AnySoldier  a non member could get say, 2 addresses a month..Members could sign up for 10 addresses a month, and maybe receive a member card?  that would be neat.

 Something else I would love, is Any Soldier stickers.    Those would be fabulous to put on outgoing mail, cards,  etc,etc.   Any chance of that?

 Good Ideas!

 Amy

I think it's down-right weird to pay for addresses when one of the reasons for limiting wholesale access to addresses was because of wrong-doers culling data here to post for sale for profit.  Somehow buying & selling "my" guys rubs me the wrong way.   But I don't mind the paying toward the website part.

How about "premium" members supporting their warrior group AND contributing to the AnySoldier website. Give 'em a little gold star by their name on the Forum for every month a check goes to the website or other such incentive.  I don't need a gold star (and forgive me, I was not referencing Gold Star Mothers) - I just mean if contributing to the website was made "cool" more people (at least those on the forums) would probably do it.  This occurs to me every time I'm reading the pride some posters have in the massive numbers of boxes they send out, or the complaints made about - wow, how they don't support a group all the way through, but instead do massive mailings, etc.   My two cents:  since we already do something for the remote warrior, then do something (as regularly) to keep the website going. 

How about automatic deposit?  I contribute through Federal Employees' CFC, but I also pay my bills with online banking, some of which is automated for my own convenience.  Could AnySoldier.com set up an account where we could (then) PAY into it from our desktop banking?  Be a great way to clear what remained of my "box-budget" monthly (automatically) to AnySoldier.com   Yes, I suppose I should just write a check for that odd amount, but I'm suggesting this online banking option because it would be novel, convenient to many, and perhaps encourage those every time they're dealing with funds. 

I'm great with the idea of some kind of 'Any Soldier.com membership' (premium level, whatever you want to call it.), so long as an individual could get at least some names for free. I think a 'membership' would appeal to hard-core supporters who want to solidify their commitment.

Also, monthly auto donation is a great idea and I would definately sign up for that. It's easy to grab a new contact name, but somewhat harder to remember to pull out the checkbook, write the donation check (or dig out the credit card), find a stamp, address the envelope etc.

Here's my two cents worth on this topic of memberships!

1.  Yes, institute a "membership" --

Provide members with a "card"

Provide members with their own page or their own chat room on the site

BUT -- do not link it to obtaining addresses!?!!!!

2.  Yes, make available some sort of automatic payment system for donations...

Are all AS Participants really aware of the costs involved in running this site --

it is a non-profit business which means there are expenses... Hm?  how to raise the level of awareness!?!

3. Hm???  Maybe send an email to every NEW person who signs up -- a welcome to the AS Family, ask them to consider a donation to the site whenever they accept a new address to insure the site continues... (I think this could be set up as an automatic mailer?)

Definitely worth thinking about!

How about we ask every AS Junkie to consider donating a dollar for every 10 packages they send...

Or $5 for every 100 packages sent...

Something along those lines... just to remind the supporters that while it is important to send the support to the troops, we need to support the site or this whole process will collapse!

WOW!  My brain is spinning with thoughts on this one...

Will watch for developments.

Anna

 Since my hubby's hours have been cut and our unemployed son and his family are camped at our house for the duration, I'm on a very limited budget. I've had to cut waaaaaaaaaaaaay back on packages sent, and write a whole lot more letters than before. However, if I find myself with "found money" - tax refund time, when my "longevity check" comes once a year, birthday money from family, whatever... I donate $50 to AnySoldier and the rest goes to packages/postage for the troops. I've managed to donate $100 in the past year, and have also bought several tickets for the current raffle. I don't think there should be a "membership fee," but that's just my opinion. I understand the difficulty in getting people to realize the site needs funds to continue operating, and I don't have an answer for that, but I don't feel like making this a "pay for access" site is the answer.

>a campaign on: "Send a package, Send a check" to support the website. Over time, I've sent tactical & weather gear, coloring books and receiving blankets (and all sorts of sillies inbetween); and yes, have had to cut back significantly.  Nevertheless, there could be less "theme" and a check toward the website so the system can continue.  

>an AnySoldier "button" (to buy $$, and maybe not all that cheap) that would be a celebration of having seen a group through their FULL deployment - I know that's a novel idea to some. Although I write to multiple groups and like being able to request, I've never understood this mass collection of addresses bit.

>Optional Membership?  I don't need a ID card but bet many might shell out for a little lapel button that helps them promote AnySoldier. 

>What about (we) who know some of the "old" stories:  I'm certainly one of Capt-B's "Buds", Major Pain's "cupcakes", and in favor of Taco-B however he wants to say it.   My goodness, maybe we should be writing in our (short-short) stories to you, with a check, for posterity.  Why I love(d) "The Pale Horse", "The Rat Bastards", "The Jolly Rogers" (etc.)  Gosh, I still so love them.  I guess instead of sighing/weeping, I should go write AS a check. 

Just keep in mind that some may not be able to send a check and a box..

Times are hard and you will be amazed at the length some go to just to send a box..

All I ask is that those are remembered as well.

Maybe if there was a round about amount to run the site yearly that we could go by and put up a goal chart to keep track of what is coming in?

That way we would have something to reach, something making us want to go the extra mile, to make us want to put in that extra few bucks as often as possible?

Maybe if there is a way to connect with others on the site who are in your area that would help make it easier for some to get together to do fundraisers. I would love to have others to do fundraisers with.

Maybe there could be something special done when the goal is reached by a certain time, anything that gives everybody a reason to get to the goal sooner..