Donation Clarification and Information

[SuperDan]

I have been getting quite a few emails about how to become a donating Member.

First off let me remind everyone here that the technical information available on this site is and always be available for free.
There are no subscriptions, no dues etc.
As most already know we are non-profit and operate on donations from our member community.

In the past and most recently I get requests from various companies wanting to put up banners on our site for a monthly fee. I am still of the opinion that it will be distracting and will take away from the general “feel” of our site.

Ok, so to make the donation system a lot easier to manage I enabled Vbulliten’s integrated subscription system, the term “subscription” is a little misleading as it implies that you must pay to receive access to the site, this is not true as noted above, therefore will we be referring to it as a “donation” system.

In the past many members have donated various amounts over the years, some quite large and to be honest I have had problems accepting these large donations. To me it does not seem fair that these people feel that they must make these large contributions to help keep the site going and fill in any shortcomings from other members.

So I have setup a real simple donation structure that I hope everyone feels is fair. If not, please let me know, as always I am looking for feedback on how to improve our site.
To donate to our site click on your user control panel (User CP in upper left menu) click here -> http://forums.hybridz.org/payments.php and select the kind of donation to make.

Using this link will allow you to make a donation via PayPal, the nice thing about this is that your status to Donating Member is updated instantly and tracked in your user profile, no waiting for me to manually enter your info.

Also note that donating members have some additional perks like increased photo album size, highlighting your ad in the classifieds section and a cool yellow bar under your username
Seems only fair to give the donators a little something more for their money.

Donations using PayPal is the preferred method because your status is updated instantly but, donations can still be mailed to me directly, just make sure you include:
Your username: VERY IMPORTANT
Your email address:

Send to
Dan Porter
10439 Don Pico Rd
San Diego Ca 91978

Thank you for your time and if you have any comments or suggestions please let me know.

Dan

[cobraz240z]

I think that is a Great Ideal and I was wondering how to donate know I know thanks.

[buZy]

Hey Dan, Sent you my $20 donation. Thanks!

[dr_hunt]

Crap, I don't think I added my user name. Anyway, I sent you $20 the other day, so I hope I get credit.

Actually, I think it's a good idea the way you have set that up, just a friendly reminder that nothing is free and you get the satisfaction of being a donating member, silver, bronze, gold or godlike.

[Dat260]

Donation sent, thanks Dan.
Ari

[jnjdragracing]

We enjoyed the SEZ Shootout #6 so much and enjoyed talking and seeing everyone and putting screen names with faces my brother Jerry and I decided to donate to the HybridZ cause. Keep it going, keep it free, keep the info and tech support alive......

Thanks to everyone here on this site.

John and Jerry with jnjdragracing.com

[Z-Gad]

Thanks SUPERDAN, had some extra funds in my payapl account, so I sent them in as donations... I appresiate all you do for us

[Hugh]

Hey, great job on the site. Keep up the good work.

I run my own website on donations as well. I don't like getting anything over $20 a year from any one member, but some insist on donating more. I understand what you mean about large donations... its just too much.

If everybody gives a little, then the whole community gains.

[SuperDan]

I have noticed that we have been getting some new donations lately.
Just wanted to say thanks guys for helping support our site!

Dan

[Brad-ManQ45]

Gee, I used to be labeled as a Donating Member and with the change I don't have even part of a yellow bar.

[gdv350ss]

I have been reading and learning for almost a year. I just sent my second donation for another year as I hope to pickup a Z this fall and begin my project.

This site is a well managed wealth of knowledge for the Z enthusiast!

Keep up the good work!!

[Twoeightnine]

Might have missed it, if so, my bad.

Question, do we receive notification when it is time to "renew"? Pardon the subscriptive nature and use of the term "remew".
Or should we just keep track and/or periodically donate.
I do remember a thread on the subject but I do not remember the subject resolution.

Thanks,

[SuperDan]

Question, do we receive notification when it is time to "renew"?

As I recall, you will get an email a few weeks before it expires.

Thanks!
Dan

[BillZ260]

Donation Sent

Thanks for making it so EASY!!!

[Kennysgreen280zt]

I just sent one too, I dont know how I missed this sticky. Was looking for it too....

[buZy]

Hey HybridZ! Just donated $50. Way worth it! Thanks Again!
Brian

[1 tuff z]

super dan, just renewed my silver donation but didn't see anywhere on there to indicate/insert my hybrid user id...

[SuperDan]

*edit* fixed a typo in the original post and lowered the donation amounts. Current donating members will have their expire date extended to reflect the old higher rate.