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Whatever your decisions are, I back your play!
Come on, every one who can! If you value this space, even just $5 monthly makes a difference, because there are so many folks who read and learn from Shakesville.
And, what BGK said.
If everyone who visits this blog in one day, which averages between 13,000-14,000 visitors, gave me $1, I'd make almost as much in that day as I made in donations for the entirety of last year.
Little bits make a difference, and I am incredibly grateful for them.
seriously, guys, paypal is quick and easy. i know some people really don't have an extra dollar, but if you've got the money to spend on a starbucks today, consider donating that cash.
if this is a bad time of the month for you (in relation to payday), and you don't remember without the PD post, try setting up a reminder on your email/computer/facebook or whatever you've got.
I have been meaning to donate but haven't before today. I put in 10 dollars today. I know it isn't much but I hope it can help you.
Thanks for all you do Melissa!
My only objection to it is that adding it is something that would require more work, which is something I'm not inclined to do at the moment.
Maybe instead of just ((((Melissa)))) hugs I should offer $$$$Melissa$$$$!
I hope you readers who haven't contributed yet (and who can afford to do so) will step up and pitch in! Liss deserves compensation for all her work.
And Liss? I also will stand by any decision you make. Thank you for all you have given us so far.
Plutonium_Blonde, we don't need any more work. Readers need to do the work to keep it in their minds. Full stop. You can't hear my voice, so I'll just let you know that I'm not taking at tone with you! It's just, enough already. People need to step up; no amount of added work is going to magically make people chip in.
riffing on IQB's idea, another great place to set up a reminder is in your computer's personal finance software (quicken, M$Money, etc) if you use that. Shakesville is in mine now.
many hugz to u and Iain and the kids.
Thank you for all you do, Liss!
There have been a lot of good ideas shared here today, all with the intention of assisting Melissa to raise funds in a reliable fashion in the future. I don't know a ton about what Liss goes through to produce this blog (she explained the mechanics, but I can't begin to understand how much of herself she invests in it), but I know that I'm hesitant to ask for her to do more work in order to make it easier for me (us) to donate to her. I am fortunate to be financially able to do so, and I encourage the same action by others who, like me, have the means but find themselves too busy to remember an important thing like donations to Shakesville.
In short, Shakesville rocks, and Melissa needs our financial support (and other methods of support, too). Maybe in the future we can do an OMG Shoez! drive... but now, it's cash.
There's my message: set up a monthly subscription. If I can do it for public radio, I sure as hell can do it for this awesome place.
I'm just sharing my goal in case others are thinking "can i give? how much and how often?"-it can be tough to figure out sometimes with all the felt needs in the world that we connect with.
My need for this safe, profound, and intelligent space is great. And, by the way, so is our society's need. Thanks again!
We can do this, Shakers.
I wish I lived closer to you so that I could donate in other ways as well, like bringing over a (blood-sugar-friendly) meal or something. I imagine that the money is most useful to you, since you can determine how to use it. It just feels so impersonal, and I often wish I could show my appreciation the way I do best: with food. :)
Folks, seriously. Melissa does everything here for free. Before requesting more work of her, please read this post again. Melissa does enough already.
I feel that it's a shame that this post had to be written in the first place, especially after I go back and look at the comments threads from November. Many, many people state continually that they don't know what they'd do without this blog, and say how much Shakesville means to them, but the donations just aren't supporting the statements.
And rather than debating how much money Liss makes, or how she's financially supported, or where other money comes from or whatever, I really think we should be donating because we like the blog. Really, that's all that matters.
I apologize if I'm coming across as snappy and belligerent, but this is getting to be like a broken record.
First, they often have less frequent, larger donation drives with goal amounts that will allow them to work without worry for a long period of time. For example, I have seen drives to "pay my salary for a year" or "buy me a house" where the drive is large and doggedly-pursued while it's going on, but then afterwards it is a while before a drive is needed. This lets everyone, including the creator, escape the feeling of "constantly begging for money."
Second, almost everyone trying to live off donations publicly posts the amount they've received and their target for that week (or month). That way everyone is reminded that last week's money is gone, and that "everyone else" hasn't paid this week's yet. I think a widget saying, basically, "This week/month, Liss has made $X per hour" would really motivate people to help get you to that goal.
I see that while I was writing someone else suggested the donation monitor-- I definitely understand the feeling that the extra work would be a big deterrent. I think, though, that even if it didn't do anything nifty like calculate an hourly wage, letting us know when we're falling behind without having to write a post every time would be useful, especially since we could realize and fix things before it gets this bad. Are there any Shakers who could help set something like that up?
I don't want to sound like I'm telling you what to do-- I've just seen a lot of people fight their own versions of this battle and I really, really want there to be some way to make this work for you and for Shakesville! This blog is an amazing place, and very meaningful to me, and it's that way because of the work you do. I think we all appreciate it, and we want to help-- it's just that, well, I know I, at least, can just forget sometimes. But I want to be reminded. I don't want to see you treated unfairly.
I really love this site and your writing, as well as the rest of the contributors here, so the money is going to a very worthy person!!!
(Now to donate to another site I've been putting off due to stupid paypal access excuse...)
I was also thinking about maybe an annual fundraiser, where people could bid on stuff that we donate? Something that we, the commenters and users could set up, so it's not more work for Liss? I'm sure there must be an easy, online way of doing this, I just don't know how.
Chryslin, I don't want to speak for Melissa, but I do know that "no amount is too small." Like she said earlier, if everyone that read the blog donated a buck, that would take care of everything. I know any amount donated is appreciated. :-) And I thank you for donating.
*passes Melissa a teaspoon... in a nice cuppa refreshing tea*
I do think, however, that it's unfair to expect people to "just remember" to donate. Even people with the best of intentions forget, or forget how important it is. And especially without any idea of how much other people are giving, it can slip off the radar. I know, from my own habits, that I only give consistently at places that have status updates reminding me to do so.
However, there are ways people can take their reminding into their own hands. It's possible to subscribe for automatic monthly donations, or to simply go through one's calendar and schedule a donation at every time one wishes to give.
I currently make no money whatsoever, literally, since my parents pay for my expenses, but when I do have something resembling disposable income I plan to schedule a "donation day" every month, and maintain a list of places to give. Shakesville will be at the top of my list.
To all those asking for some kind of reminder widget totalling donations: the answer to this is to use the paypal subscription, not make more work for the inimitable Miz McEwan.
That's why Portly does the monthly reminder post, eloriane.
I doubt the folks who post those "helpful" suggestions will read this, but what the hey, maybe I'll get lucky. Class is over, so I'm gonna whip out my credit card now. Thanks for everything, Melissa.
You do marvellous work and need to get paid.
XO
WWW
(aka Mary M - Canada)
Ah, what? It's "unfair" for people to remember to donate to support a place they get daily (and often many-times-a-day!) enjoyment. Unfair? *raises eyebrows*
Yes, we all forget things. Hell, I'm Queen of the Oblivious & Forgetful more often than not, LOL. But I'd hardly call it "unfair". I think it's perfectly fair. In fact, I'd say it's more than fair that Portly does a monthly public nudging.
that's also why it's worthwhile to take advantage of the monthly reminders or subscription servicer from paypal.
As I've mentioned before, I can't do any kind of auction or lottery-style anything, because Indiana has really strict rules about that stuff and it requires an enormous amount of paperwork with the state to get the approval for something like that.
I'm moving at the end of this month, but haven't switched my credit cards to the new address yet (since I don't actually know what our new address will be)... will that cause a problem with the payment next month when I'm no longer at this address? Do I have to change it manually on paypal or will it be fine if I just switch it on my card?
Thanks!
If I may echo others upthread: thank you for all you do. And a suggestion to everyone who is able this month -- how about a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon?
And also a public thanks to Liss, for responding to my "newbie" email from this morning. It was a quick question, it probably took her no more than three seconds to write the response. But if you add that to the time it takes to sift through all the emails, even just answering the three-second ones probably adds up to a big chunk of her day.
To be honest, I wasn't even sure I would get a response - because I know in my own work how easy it is to let the small quick things slide in favour of the Big Important Things. But there it was, a quick email back, just a couple of hours after I sent my question.
It's a small thing, but a very humanizing thing. This blog does not just appear on the web each day - it's written by a person. (Several people, of course. But you know what I mean.) And this is a very busy person, with a lot on her plate, who still takes the time to respond to questions from users she's probably never heard of.
So Liss - thanks again for your help this morning. And thanks a million teaspoons for Shakesville.
Eloriane, don't forget about Portly Dyke's monthly post reminding us to chip in. I understand that you are trying to help get Melissa what she deserves (and I do think your pledge drive idea is kinda cool...I always liked watching the 13 drives when I was kid, so I can only imagine how fun a Shakesville one would be </my geekiness>), but I think many of us are falling victim to thinking that people, just forget to donate, and that if something was more blatant and in our face, we would remember. But I think the real cause is people just falling victim to the status quo bias.
Back in November, there was a possibility that we might lose Shakesville as we know it, and people did not want to see that happen, so they chipped in. After a couple months had passed and that did not seem to be a threat anymore, donations died off. Maybe people thoughts others were chipping in, who knows, but really I bet a lot of people (without any malicious intent) felt the problem was solved because we were no longer in that crisis period.
I hope this post will be a reminder we shouldn't wait until people are at the end of their proverbial ropes before others reach out to show them how much they are appreciated!
I don't. I appreciate the monthly reminders from Portly, but seriously, how hard is it to put a note on one's calendar (whether paper or electronic), set up a recurring alarm on one's calendar/phone, or whatever resources you have available to you.
I don't mean to be terse, but given all that Liss and the other site contributors and moderators do for us, I don't think it's too much to ask for us to do a bit of legwork ourselves.
I am so sorry; I meant to do this much earlier. I do come here every day and I look to you and all Shakesville for inspiration. I don't comment much but you all writing and the comments of the Shakers are a big part of my daily routine. So I am now a monthly subscriber, it’s not much but it will be regular. Sorry it took so long and thanks for all you do.
Do you have a credit/debit card? I don't have a Paypal account and I was able to donate without having one. I just had to use my Visa card.
Anything that gets added to the blog requires work on my part. Who do you think updates the template? And unless you're also suggesting that I give someone else access to my PayPal account to build it, you're talking about "need[ing] to get" me to build it.
I was actually asking because although I'm not very good with website pokery, I can learn (or ask others to help me with - not you, obviously!), and I wanted to know if it was something you'd be willing to have made for you. I don't have any money to give you, but I wanted to contribute if I could, and I thought I might be able to do it with my time. Anyway, I'm sorry. I really value the work you do.
I'm sorry I haven't donated more, I'm a little paranoid about just about any spending. But I'll see if I can't make it a habit to put in about $20/Month from here on out.
There's an automatic donation feature! I'd forget otherwise, even with PD's reminders, but this way Teh Internetz take care of it for me.
I have graphic arts experience and would be more than happy to donate design time. I'm sure there are other Shakers with talent and time to donate, as well.
What makes this worse is that I'm a former journalist (hope to be one again soon) and with the death of newspapers oncoming, I've been a strong proponent of subscription based or pay-per-article based payments to support the hard work that many people are doing to research, interview, and write worthwhile articles that inform the public of what's really going on. And in my arguments, I have said that I would willingly make small monthly payments toward keeping these publications going (or at least the ones I like to read) because losing valuable information is one of the worst things that can happen anywhere.
So again, I'm sorry for not donating and being a hypocrite, but I'm definitely changing that now. Because what you provide here is valuable. And valuable things are not, and should not be, free. Thank you.
Shakesville is an Indiana-owned and -run blog. It cannot be done w/o that paperwork.
Yes. I spent many hours over several weeks setting up a Cafe Press shop at the request of the Shakers several years ago, from which was purchased exactly nothing.
I'm stepping away now.
No, it's not. It's really, really, not. And besides, Portly does hilarious monthly reminders.
It's not unfair that I have to remember to pay my health insurance by the 5th of the month. I just have to deal.
I am beginning to lose my shit and am backing away from the computer...
Oh. Whoops. Failed again. Sorry. I'd assumed that some of the other mods could poke the site.
I'll pile on, but try and be respectful.
No, it's not unfair. Please remember to step up.
Once again, I'm amazed at how much our blogmistress deals with, and her fantastic patience. Too bad people aren't stepping up and taking the extra step to show how much they appreciate everything. (Well, other than telling her she's doing everything wrong, and if only she'd do this or that!)
You have my email address if you want to send me your address that way
I love your blog and I kick myself for not having contributed sooner.
Thanks for everything you do.
Thank you for all your hard work, Liss.
I lurk here a lot-- don't speak up often, but I appreciate you so much. Thanks for all your work here.
Sorry, was waiting for my paycheck. I'm happy to have a job again so I can contribute regularly, even if it's not much. What you do is extremely valuable, and your voice would be irreplaceable if this blog ceased to be. In short, you rock my socks.
breastylou
No. I would need to review every single thing that ever got put in the store, because Shakesville is a brand inextricably associated with my name. And obviously the merchandise would have to adhere to the tenets of the safe space, as well, not only because I'd want them to, but because surely you can imagine the shitstorm if they didn't.
You must realize that even if some ostensible fundraising activity you're suggesting is something "someone else" could do the lion's share of the work on, it will create more work for me because of its association with Shakesville.
Please, I am begging everyone: Realize that every time you suggest I should do this or that to get donations, you're not only asking me to do more work, but you're devaluing the work I already do.
Why isn't it enough that I write 10-20 posts every day, write hundreds of comments, moderate thousands of comments, do blogarounds, edit guest posts, respond to email, transcribe video, and all the rest of it? Why is it that every time I say I need and want to draw a salary for this full-time job, all I get is admonishments to do more, as if what I'm already doing is worth shit?
*Or: "all"
I'm not personally upset, but it is getting tiring seeing people keep doing it even though polite requests not to have been made many times in this thread, and many, many times over the past several months.
If it doesn't stop I'm going to start deleting those comments.
Srsly. Every damn post is a reminder of the immense value of this space, and of the work that Liss does to create and maintain it.
Upped in recognition of my first guest post, my love for the Lost open thread and everything else posted here that makes my progressive, feminist, cat-loving heart beat.
Thank you for all that you do. Shakesville means a lot.
It must be something they are doing wrong or something wrong with them, not something wrong with the matrix we all move in or with other people's choices.
I can't articulate this well, but it is upsetting.
Liss has stated clearly what help she needs from us.
The answer required is either a yes or a no.
That's all there is to it, that is all that is wanted.
Liss did not ask for advice. She did not ask for suggestions. She did not ask for thanks. She did not ask for excuses, justifications, oopsies, brown-nosing, back pats, hugs, or permission.
She asked for cash.
Yes or no, people.
That is all.
I am so sorry. I donated this morning to Fabulon and Shakesville, now I wish I had given more. I have donated every two months since November, I will make it a monthly subscription now as well. Shakesville is *better* than a newspaper subscription. I think *because* it is a daily thing to come read here that some of us forget to show our appreciation sometimes. I am so sorry, Liss, and promise to do better.
So. Not. Helping.
Drop it, Fanged.
I'd be happy to send it in care of any of the contributors. Maybe PD would be willing since I've had some contact with her away from Shakesville?
@ procrastinatrix: I get what you're saying, and I think you are right.
Melissa, thank you as always for everything you do - the value of what you do here is immeasurable (and that also includes the other Shakesville contributors of course, but I know that you carry the bulk of the work).
I know some of the folks who have suggested ways to make money or whatever have already been talked to, but - really, people...why is it that the first thing that comes to your mind is "Have you thought of this" or "why not do it this way" or whatever? I understand that it comes from a place of wanting to be helpful, but stop and think for a moment - how helpful is it to throw out ideas that will either require more work from someone who is already worked to the physical and emotional bone every day, or is unlikely to actually make any real difference? If someone asks you for aspirin, are you going to instead suggest ways they can avoid getting headaches? The request is for donations - and making donations, no matter the amount, is the best thing we can do...so just do that.
Seriously.
I know it's scary that Paypal asks for so much of your personal information (bank account numbers and such), but it really is secure. I encourage people to set up accounts, not just for Shakesville, but also because it's the best way to shop on ebay and a very easy way to send money to anyone (charities, friends, etc).
You call it begging, as though you're doing something to be ashamed of.
But NPR and KPFA do the same thing-- remind listeners of all the work that goes into producing the media we consume, and ask for money-- and call it a fundraiser.
I would bet that regular visitors to this site view this pretty much the same way. Not something to be ashamed of at all.
That's exactly how my information was stolen last summer and why I wont do business with Paypal or Ebay anymore. :::shudders::: If my bank hadnt been on the ball I would have lost 15,000. I didnt click on any links - I'm a systems engineer with a background in information security and I still can't figure out how they got my information
OK, I see. Sorry, I didn't really understand the problem with this, because I hadn't thought through the whole PR thing. I totally see your point. I'll cut it out, then.
Scott, I just wanted to clarify that I realize why the mods are tired of these comments, and certainly wasn't trying to suggest that it was an irrational response or anything. I just find it even more mind-boggling that people would keep doing it even though, if you take the time to read Melissa's comments, you can see how much it hurts her.
Amen, and donated.
Thanks Liss for all you do.
EXCELLENT, thank you. I'll be sending you a check for $100 this weekend and I'll set up an automatic check to go out once a month for $25.00 THANK YOU so much!! I've felt awful not donating since the amazon button went away.
Donation made.
:D
Oh no, ophelia, I didn't interpret it that way at all. I was just quoting your comment to emphasize my agreement with it :-)
Whether or not she's ashamed of it, the point is that she's tired of it.
NPR has people whose entire job is to coordinate contributions/donations. Liss has herself, and PD's (awesome) monthly reminders. Not the same thing.
huh?
What I meant was, this is a fundraiser, an ongoing one. Not that Melissa (or anyone else) should set up a special fundraiser or anything.
Call me crazy, but maybe we should let Liss decide for herself what's healthy for her and what's not.
[And this seems like such a weird first comment. I should have delurked before this.]
Okay, my bad. I thought you were saying that there's nothing wrong with asking for donations, so she shouldn't feel bad about asking--neglecting the part where she said that she's tired of doing the asking. :)
Ask for the help you need. Specifically. What, precisely, do you need? Liss has done this.
and
Give the help asked for if you are willing to give what has been asked. If you aren't, that's fine. Say No and that's legitimate. If you are, then do so. That's fine, too.
What is not fine or legitimate is somehow serving one's own need to feel like one is doing "something to help" when what one is doing is not what the person needing assistance has stated that s/he needs. That is pretty clearly not helping...at least, not helping anyone but oneself. It's even further unhelpful when what one is doing is precisely what the person requesting help has asked, repeatedly, for one to stop doing that.
I truly meant no offense. I didn't see the ban until after my comment posted. I didn't realize censorship was so heavy here, and will not darken your doorstep further.
Best regards.
Understood and appreciated, Skreee, I was just adding what information I had, because I'm a nerd :-)
Oh no, I totally get it. Of course, one of the things about fundraisers is that they are perennial, and exhausting.
Understood, Scott. I'd be happy to edit my response into something else, or you're welcome to delete it if you see fit.
If you can't do a subscription, or PD's monthly reminder doesn't work out with your own paycheck schedule, maybe you could do something like that. A few have mentioned Outlook reminders - iCal has a similar feature, for the Mac folks - but I've found that an email is insistent enough to make you do it right away.
And I'm heading home now — thank you all in advance for continuing not to post unwelcome suggestions.
Can I just say... nice work! It's great that you can reach that many people and have it -- with a lot of arduous work -- continue to be intimate and communal and principled at the same time.
Unreconstructed flower child, militant cyberfeminist, age 61
Thanks for setting up the subscription feature for scatterbrained doofuses like myself.
And thank you for all of the many good things you do.
Good Lord.
Just once it would be nice if we could have a supportive thread without a "it's all about me" flounce.
Scott, thank you so much for modding.
Thank you so much for all that you do Melissa.
/snark
Love ya, Liss.
I first read that as "penis." Whoops!
but it's not. because everything is about me. duh.
Maybe you're just phallogocentric. o_O XD
Sweet effin' Maude in a flowered hat.
Be helpful and donate $3 or SHUT. THE. FUCK. UP.
Christ.
Gladly, Broce.
As to the "I do think, however, that it's unfair to expect people to "just remember" to donate." thing -- last November, people said that they wanted a reminder. I volunteered to do that, and have done so, every month since.
I spend between two and four hours every month editing and posting a youtube of my old standup specifically for the tip-jar thread. Those vids have, each and every one -- premiered here at Shakesville -- I thought it might be a way to make the tip-jar reminder fun for people.
So, when I read the suggestions upthread -- when I read that people think that this or that would help them remember to chip in to something they find important, I feel skeptical -- because people said that a monthly reminder would help them, and apparently, it hasn't.
When I read that people don't have any money to contribute, I think that that is probably true only for a very, very, very tiny number of people -- 'cause if you eat out, or buy the newspaper, or go to a movie, you have some money to spare -- so that's a matter of priorities and choices rather than need, imhfo. I'm drinking a beer right now -- cost? $1.15 before tax.
I'm guessing that every one of you would buy Liss a beer once a month, or a latte, or even take her out for lunch. So? Do it.
And kaybee!!!??? For fuck's sake -- WE DID THAT! I've been posting a monthly fundraiser since November -- so -- please, no lectures -- just donations, 'K thanx by.
Excuse me? kaybee, it's not "whining and entitlement" to ask for donations and to express frustration at having to do so repeatedly, with diminishing results. Melissa puts a ton of effort into creating this blog and maintaining it as one of the few--the only, in my experience--safe spaces online. It takes more work than you can imagine, and your comment amounts to requesting that Liss shut up and pretend that it doesn't take work, so people can continue to take Shakesville and her for granted.
I'd like to repeat ChristinaM33's comment:
If I had even a few dollars to spare, you would have it. If I ever get this crazy head of mine straightened around enough to work again, you know where some of that money would go!
For now, I'll give you what I do have - a sincere thank you for providing this place. If it weren't for the people here, I'd not have made it to my mental health appointment today; which may just open some doors for me in the long run.
When I sent a little extra last September it was because I knew I was going to be sidelined by my health for a month or so. I didn't anticipate the medical drama that ensued, which caused me to miss the crisis at this blog completely. By the time I was able to sit at the computer again and sort it out, I was in a financial drought. Things got better in March and I started trying to catch up.
What I can do is go ahead and subscribe now. I can always leave a tip at the Friday pub as I'm able, as well.
Another advantage of subscriptions, aside from our not having to remember, is that it gives something of a framework for Liss to base projections on. There's more going on here - it's not about trying to scrape up a minimum wage for the blogmistress. Computers, bandwidth, software, phone lines, cameras, peripherals -- these are business expenses that have to be paid, as are occasional forays into the social and political real world that benefit the business. Until that stuff gets paid for, Liss still can't buy cat food, let alone shoes.
The wonderful Iain can wield his paycheck to benefit Liss and the cats and the shoez all he likes, and I am sure he does, but I, for one, am very uncomfortable thinking that I'm out here taking advantage of, not only Liss, but also Iain, as I enjoy Shakesville and after the situation has been made clear to me.
A dollar a day, I say. A few hundred of us ordinary people at a dollar a day would be very reasonable and a benefactor or two would be nice. So I am today subscribing a dollar a day (really only $30 a month) for me and another dollar-a-day subscription for one of you wonderful, beautiful Shakers who can't do it right now but will someday -- and will also one day be able to pay it forward.
I don't use budgeting software because my life is simple enough that I don't need to. But I DO keep a little spreadsheet of the monthly expenses, estimated and actual. Shakesville is listed in the this spreadsheet so when I pay my bills at the beginning of the month (I get paid once monthly rather than biweekly), I can click to donate to Shakesville right after paying my electirc, cable, and insurance bills online. Works like a charm to remind me.
I would give more, but I am severely under-employed, under-insured, and chronically ill. So, we do what we can.
Oh, jeez, it never occurred to me to do that -- I don't tend to pop into those threads. That's an awesome idea.
It really was unfair of me not to donate until this point, and for that I apologize. This will be something I keep in my mind in future weeks and months.
Thanks for the swift deletions, Scott and whoever else is moderating. I know how hard it is to ask for money (since I've had to do it so often lately...) and having people tell you what to do and ask for more work is so infuriating.
Great idea. I don't usually make it in, but I think I'll try to poke my head in more often and put a little something in the tip jar.
I would assume, but when I say look into, I mean literally that, I know nothing about it bar the name.
Long day, love?
This is not implying that you should or should not. I am just wondering.
I thought about this thread all the way home; I felt bad to have contributed to the unhelpful "Hey, Liss, how about you put on a show in the barn!?" comments and I was ashamed to have upset Melissa in any way (no matter how unintentional, because I truly should have put more thought into it). I hope the good, truly helpful comments overshadow the not-so-much (and even hurtful) ones that have appeared here. (And thank you, mods, for deleting what appear to have been some very hurtful comments before she read them.)
I'm not exactly the praying sort; suffice to say I'm sending good thoughts out to Melissa, Space Cowboy and everyone who helps keep this site going. You are awesome.
Not terribly long — I've certainly had worse. (So far? the record stands at 15 hours, and I hope not to break it.)
I have donated this month and will continue to do so as long as I can. Hopefully I will be able to give more next month.
I know thanks don't pay the bills, but thanks anyway, for all you do.
Thanks you again for this wonderful place. Damn, I wish I was rich. Sigh. . .
I'm a grant writer. I've worked in development/fundraising for nigh on five years now. And let me tell you something - FUNDRAISING IS A FULLTIME FUCKING JOB. People dedicate their entire professional lives to fundraising. It's not casual thing, it's not easy work, and it takes a lot out of you - even if you love your job and love the organization you work for.
I understand that offering suggestions on what to do comes from a place of wanting to help. I get that. I do. But, speaking from experience, fundraising is not something you can do in passing, nor is it a small bit of work. Raising money - for anything - is a fulltime job that comes with a shit-ton of hard work. Melissa, as she has stated quite plainly time and again, has a more than fulltime job maintaining and writing for this wonderful blog. Asking her to do more is ... well, not helpful.
I can also say that there are two truths in fundraising:
1. Everyone assumes someone else is giving. The fact is, to everyone else, you're the someone else.
2. Every little bit truly does help. Example? We have coin walls where I work. Places where people place their spare change as they wander by. Those coin walls have raise about $10,000-$15,000 a year. From spare change. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.
So, please. Follow everyone else's suggestions. Make a monthly subscription. Put a reminder on your calendar. Throw in a fiver when you're in the pub. Drop a dollar in weekly. Send in $100 every six months. Whatever works for you - just don't ask Melissa to take on a helluva lot more work when she's already giving so damned much to give us this safe space.
And, Melissa? THANK YOU.
Now I'm off to add a reminder to my calendar.
((((((Melissa))))))
And also, thank you so much, Melissa, for everything. I will try to supplement my subscription as I am able to do so.
I have no plans to stop, at this point.
Yeah, it was probably the whole " whining and entitlement." bit that you might want to re-think.
Hope you're not using that as part of your fundraising pitch.
As Melissa posted (waaay) upthread and on a number of other discussions of this very topic, EVERY change to the website is another thing for her to do, which is yet another way of telling her the AMAZING job she does every day is not enough.
I haven't read comments on this thread yet, but I'm sorry the fundraising has been going so sluggishly. I love this site, I love this blog, I love this community. You've offered me such a welcome relief from the internet places I used to haunt, I can't even explain (though I suspect you can imagine).
That said, if you find that you can't make any sort of decent living with this place, then I absolutely support you shutting the place down. Don't get me wrong - I don't want that to happen. Not at all. I love this place, and I honestly check in here more often than any other site on the net except my primary email account.
But as much as I love Shakesville and the community you've created here, like HELL it should continue if we, as a community, are going to build it on the back of a woman we won't even pay minimum wage for her brilliant, incisive, impassioned work.
Thanks for everything you do, Liss, and everyone else that contributes.
How do y'all determine what you're going to give each month? It's a little hard for me because I am fairly recently out of college (okay, almost 3 years, but building up my financial security) and am slowly starting to try to figure out where I want my charitable donations to go and how much I can justify. It's also really difficult in this age, where I am so spoiled with getting so much of my reading for free online, to figure out how to value this. I mean, I absolutely feel the content of Shakesville is worth more than what I'd get if I bought the Boston Globe each morning (which has recently decided to jump from 50 cents to $1.50 - I feel so bad for print media these days but...), simply because of the depth and thoughtfulness of it and how useful it is to me personally - but, it *is* difficult for me to grapple with $45 a month (I give $40 to the animal shelter I volunteer at and $20 to my alma mater; adding that much more would be a strain). And yet I feel like I am grossly undervaluing the work of Liss, and everyone else who contributes so much, if I only tossed $5/month...
I guess ultimately it's about figuring out the utmost I can afford, eh? Just curious what folks' thought processes were in determining that - I don't care how much you are giving, but wondering how you decided :)
However, I would like to take part in a discussion about creative ways to increase contributions without increasing Melissa's workload. Is there a place where that discussion has happened/is happening?
I think it's the "no" part. Because of course everybody wants to hear their oh-so-brilliant ideas for how Melissa can do more work to fundraise, right?
Wrong.
dapht, to quote Liss from upthread,
It's up to you what you can afford. I'm confident Liss would never want you to feel like it's not "enough." (And as celticfeminist pointed out more recently, small amounts can really add up.)
Shauna, it would be a good discussion to have, and I'm sure it'll happen soon; but now is not the time.
When I do my budget, I figure out how much I can give in charitable donations per month and then decide where I'm going to donate and split the money amongst them. Maybe one month it'll be Shakes, the symphony's education program, and the rape crisis center, and the next month it'll be Shakes, the women's shelter, and Women for Women. If there's a group that I donate to every month, then I make it a lump sum at the beginning of the year so that I don't forget. This way, it's easy to keep track of where I want to make donations and which organizations I've given money to, without feeling like I'm losing control of how much money I'm spending and where I'm putting it, which is what happens when I respond to fundraising phone calls and mailers on an as-it-comes-in basis.
And yet I feel like I am grossly undervaluing the work of Liss, and everyone else who contributes so much, if I only tossed $5/month...
Still - $5/month is a sight more than $0, and Liss has said that every bit is appreciated.
To expand a little on what Flew said: no matter how good your intentions are, no matter how much you want to help, no matter how clever and good your idea is, it's really safest to just assume it has already been considered.
Indeed, and as celticfeminist said upthread, every little bit helps. Seriously, a buck will do.
it's really safest to just assume it has already been considered.
Indeed; we've done this before many times, and they all have been. I understand the impulse (I called Melissa and asked if she wanted me to handle a PO box and mailing money to her; she explained to me why that wouldn't work and I agree/understand), but really, a donation and thanks is the best thing that can be done, and 100% appreciated.
I think if I hear "t-shirts!" one more time I'll go insane. ;-)
Just for a perspective -- if even 1 in 10 of yesterday's visitors (15, 299) alone contributed $5/month, it would raise over $7600.00. (btw -- you can check out Shakesville's stats at sitemeter for yourself by clicking the sitemeter icon on the front page -- daily unique visits are in the 13k - 16k range each and every day, with page views twice that)
Monthly donations in the past few months have been under $1000.
Better be careful about that: start saying "heh" as well and the secret will be out — we'll all know you're actually Glenn Reynolds!
i would love to have a monthly but the fines for overdrawing are so high i can't risk it. i did, however, set up my ical so that it'll send me reminders all week long once a month. so yea, it might not be much but at least it should be regular!
AIIEEEEEEEEEEEEE
*head asplodes*
Thank you Melissa!
I just donated $20 -- what I could afford at the moment -- this has been a sucky month for me and, just a few hours earlier today, I managed to impair both my mobile phone and my expensive digital tablet at once (damn that tea mug and my stress-induced clumsiness). I will try to do more in the upcoming months.
Thanks for everything you do here, Melissa.
Me too :S
I don't comment often, but I'm here multiple times a day, and I love it. I just put some money in the pot, and I'm going to make a habit of it.
Thank you everyone who contributes here!!! And thank you Liss for all your hard work!!!
Any amount you give actually means you're valuing her work far more than not giving anything because you feel you have too little to give does. A buck, $50, $500 - it doesn't matter. The mere act of giving of your own money to her for her work means you value what she does. Full stop.
It's rediculous how easily I forget to pay for Shakesville.
But now with a steady job I hope to remember without nudges.
Luv ya!
I don't flatter myself that I have that many readers, but I'll try to send them all your way.
Found a little extra so added some more for this month. It's totally worth it. Even when I forget to catch myself and say something dumb.
I gave what I can for now. I just got my Canadian work permit on Tuesday, so as soon as I find a job, I will do the monthly donation for as much as we can possibly afford.
I love this place so much.
Once I find out the salary at my new job, I'll be setting up monthly donations, as well. I've been guilty of that whole thinking someone else would take care of donating thing, myself. But I won't, anymore.
Plus, with monthly donations, I'll be able to say "I help support a child in Bangladesh, through [X charity], and I have a foster-blogger in Indiana."
Plus, you know, it's what Melissa wants, which is really the salient bit.
Melissa, throughout this past 2 really shitty years, your blogging lifts my spirits and makes me happy that someone's taking the time to say the things I can't muster the energy to even think about. You bring good to the world, and I'm happy to support it.
I guess, also, as of today, I'm no longer just a lurker, as I registered with disqus
I'm going through canceling a bunch of old things I never read/take advantage of/care about etc., too, so when I do I'll come back and do an annual lump sum in that amount.
And hey, lurkers? Really? A DOLLAR. Come ON. You know you can, and you know you want to, and it's way more satisfying than that soft porn subscription you only use once a month.
(What? No. I didn't have one. Really.)
Ain't that the truth.
I don't get it. Feministing gets about 400k hits a month. By my calculations, Shakesville isn't far behind. What's the difference? Do staff just not get paid?
I can answer yes to that. The first one will be taken out the day you sign up for the monthly subscription.
(((Liss))) for the infuriating ones and *loud clapping* for the awesome ones
payment on the way
This whole thread I've been mulling over how I can find some extra dollars to up my donation and I think I have it. I found an amazing fruit and veggie store down the street from my new house that is going to save me at least $5 every time I buy from them rather than Safeway, so that extra is going in the pot.
Thanks, Liss, for everything you do. Shakesville is my piece of sanity in a fucked up world and I appreciate you so, so much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtPgr94VYA4
(Sorry, Spudsy - I'm a huge fan of the show and could not resist)
I figure I might be a poor college student, living on less than $400 a month, but I used to pay $15 a month to play WoW, and I derive way more satisfaction from reading this blog than I ever got from that game so... here's $15. Wish I could afford to give you as much as you give us.
I figure I might be a poor college student, living on less than $400 a month, but I used to pay $15 a month to play WoW, and I derive way more satisfaction from reading this blog than I ever got from that game so... here's $15. Wish I could afford to give you as much as you give us.
$$ Thanks for all you do.
- Rachael
I want to apologize for this. I was under the (apparently erroneous) impression that the monthly reminders were going to go away, and was bristling at commenters who seemed, to me, to be treating "not remembering" as "hating Shakesville," when I knew that, without those monthly reminders, I would have no hope of remembering. I do, however, want to point out that my very next paragraph was as follows:
However, there are ways people can take their reminding into their own hands. It's possible to subscribe for automatic monthly donations, or to simply go through one's calendar and schedule a donation at every time one wishes to give.
I guess I shouldn't bury my main suggestion in the third paragraph, but I've been having trouble with wordiness these days. I never intended to say that it's Shakesville's job to hound people into giving money-- on the contrary, I meant to say that, since the monthly reminders were going away (which I believed, no idea why), people shouldn't optimistically assume that they would "just remember," but instead should do something now to ensure they will be reminded. (Maybe that was misguided to; I can't remember to do anything, even get a new roll of toilet paper, without eight different reminders, but not everyone is so flaky.) I mentioned a site widget under the (also mistaken) belief that it might be possible for a Shaker to do the work of setting one up for the site.
Regardless of what I meant, my words were not helpful, and I apologize. I fucked up. Melissa, I have nothing but love for this website, and hate to think that I have contributed to stress on your part. Thank you for everything you do for us. I promise, if I ever make any damn money, Shakesville will be the first place to see it. I've set up a reminder.
I really cannot emphasise how much this blog has helped me grow and learn as a young feminist. I've given what's in my payal account ($10), and when I have job (soon, I hope!), I will be setting up a monthly subscription.
To everyone who's involved in making Shakesville the wonderful space it is - thank you. And {{{{{Liss}}}}. I appreciate the work you do every moment I spend on Shakesville.
Better yet, "I help support a child in Bangladesh, and I have a subscription to this fabulous online progressive publication"?
Know what? That's it. Subscription to be started in a mo. Can always add to it in the pub, as was pointed out upthread.
So, just adding to the chorus - I'm going to set up a paypal subscription. I just donated earlier today, but I'm sure I'll forget in the future. The monthly amount will be small because I'm currently not making any money. But I hope to donate additional amounts from time to time as well, when I have extra. We're actually getting a tax refund this year, which I wasn't expecting, so I feel comfortable about giving more this month.
I'm really sorry that I needed this kick in the pants. I come here every day and really appreciate having this space, and all that Liss puts into it to make it so awesome.
The work you do is not only valuable but valued.
Read this thread and set up monthly donations.
Thank you so much, Liss and other mods, for all your work.
I know there is still racism and anti-semitism in this world, but when was the last time any entertainer, television show, writer, pundit felt free to make a racist or anti-semitic commentary or at the very least no be penalised such commentary.
We women need to do something, and the small act of donating just $1 every day of every month multiply it by the number of visitors, is doing something. It is women like Liss who are able to help the rest of us and educate us on sexism and misogony.
I am sorry if I offended anyone, I am new to this blog, but to think last November might have been the end of this blog, is just heartbreaking to know. The truth this is a safe place for so many women, for us to know some guy won't tell us to just laugh sweet cheeks if you want to change the world (some guy was telling me that after I was disgusted by the misogony from Bill Maher and complained on another blog). If we are lazy, don't donate, don't help women like Liss who are doing this for us for free, then maybe nothing much would happen or change. We will still have to face sexism, misogony and told we should just shut up or we are just getting angry or imagining it.
Thank You So Much Liss, the rest of the contributors to this blog and those who comment here regularly, I am in awe with how you articutely put into words when something is sexist be it in entertainment or articles.
Thanks again and will be donating.
Yas, this actually happens all the time. See Liss's Obama Racism Watch. Please don't play "Oppression Olympics" (ie. make statements about which group(s) are hurt more by oppression).
When? Moments ago on any TV cable channel, AM Radio talk circuit ... we are still waiting for the last time.
I value this space tremendously. Liss, thanks so very very much for all you do, and I hope my dollars show you concretely that I do value your work.
Thank you for your continued and perpetual kindness to me, Liss.
<3
I don't want to create more work for anyone on the site, Liss, moderators, or otherwise, and feel free to point me in the correct direction with a good upbraiding if this information has been disseminated before.