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Subject: Donating to the Guru
Posted by: Taxman
- Leader [23852713] Mon, Nov 11, 2002, 22:07
Please join the Guru contribution drive which recently surfaced on the basketball Forum. Guru Patronship
At that link, on Thu, Nov 07, 2002, 12:57, the Guru makes the following financial report:
"Thanks to PD for raising this topic. Let me provide a brief recap of how things are going on the GuruPatron front.
This program of voluntary support commenced in March of 2001. Through the end of 2001, 195 individuals contributed a total of $9,575. My total expenses for the calendar year 2001 were about $7,500 - so I "earned" about $2000, which pretty closely recouped my losses from the prior year, due to defaults on advertising payments.
The totals for 2002 are shown at the top of these pages. And although it looks like I'll come up well short of last year's income total, I am saving some money on my new dedicated server, so I think I'll end up at least flush.
It is interesting to look at the contribution patterns in several brackets:
Of the 195 who contributed in 2001, 126 have not yet been heard from this year. Those 126 people donated almost $4,700 last year.
69 people donated in both years. Those 69 people donated a total of $4,988 in 2001, and their 2002 donations have totaled $4,087. That's a bit of a decline, but not too bad - and the year is not yet over. Some make fairly regular recurring contributions, which can really add up.
So far, there have been 67 new GuruPatrons this calendar year, who have donated just a little over $2000 in total.
I don't know how to interpret the non-renewals of 126 people. I know that some are no longer using the site, and I'm sure that some are financially unable to renew. But there may still be a significant segment that have simply forgotten. I have not sent out any notices to those people, as this is supposed to be a totally voluntary system. I will respond to inquiries, however, if you don't recall when you last donated.
As I've mentioned before, revenues from advertising and product sales are infinitesimal. GuruPatron contributions represent about 98% of the current revenue source.
I've long since surrendered any notion that this venture will be materially profitable - at least with the amount of effort that I'm willing to devote to revenue-raising activities. And although donations have fallen off a lot this year, I will cover costs once again. It would be nice to build up a little cushion for future years, but I would prefer devote the vast majority of my time to the fun aspects of running this site, and continually shaking the trees for loose change is not one of those aspects. So I've maintained a pretty low profile on that front.
Thanks to all of you who have generously provided past and present support. When advertising dried up, I really thought the jig might be up - but you have come through!"
It is no secret the the Hockey Forum is the step-child of the Rotoguru Boards. However, via these Guru sponsored boards, we now have KKB (whom we also need to financially support)to thank for meaningful analytical data with which to play TSN fantasy hockey (both free and ultimate). As well, it is here that we have maintained old friendships and earned new ones. We have formed Yahoo leagues, Guru divisions and kept each other alerted to significant hockey news. The Guru has provided us with a medium to converse directly with TSN management as well as validated our credentials as hopeless fantasy addicts that care (some passionately) about the TSN games. All with out an entry fee. But we ask now that you make a voluntary contribution.
It does cost to keep this site up and running. Please help the Guru deal with the financial burden he bears for our party. It takes only a few moments to send the Guru a $5 donation. You will be recognized on these boards for your valued donation with an addition to your forum handle according to the level of your support.
If you have given in the past, you already understand the continuing need. Please give again. If this is your first contribution, thank you for joining the effort to keep the Guru Boards open. Not everyone is able to give $75 or $100, but hopefully you can justify $5 or more.
Taxman
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| 1 | Taxman
Leader
ID: 271025153
Fri, Nov 15, 2002, 22:59
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butt
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| 2 | Taxman
Leader
ID: 23852713
Wed, Nov 20, 2002, 11:15
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Could use some feed back from others & Guru Patrons on how to better recruit donors on these hockey boards
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| 3 | Tuques
ID: 521031206
Wed, Nov 20, 2002, 12:03
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Taxman can you send the info or post it, I would be willing to give some but I can figure out how to do it...
Thanks, Tuques
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| 4 | Tuques
ID: 521031206
Wed, Nov 20, 2002, 12:04
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Forget about this, I found it...
Tuques
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| 5 | Tuques
ID: 521031206
Wed, Nov 20, 2002, 12:13
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What append with the canadian money, I would like to send a check by mail, did Guru accept canadian money or should I send US dollar in the mail instead of a check???
Tuques
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| 6 | Chestergreat
Sustainer
ID: 137142214
Wed, Nov 20, 2002, 14:32
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Clicking on "Guru Patron" at the top of the page will give you information on how to contribute.
Personally, I have given in the past & will do so again. Like a lot of us here, I like to play the Fantasy games and would do okay even if we didn't have the tools supplied on these sites by Guru & KKB. However . . I would have to spend much, much, much more time than I do now researching schedules & stats. and seeking out information. It's great just to be able to push a button and have all the info you need right there.
Thanks guys
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| 7 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Mon, Nov 25, 2002, 12:27
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Tuques - while I prefer to accept US dollars, I can take Canadian dollars as well, either through PayPal or through the mail. If you send C$, the bank just charges a fee to convert the currency. So if you have a way to send US$ directly, it saves me that fee.
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| 8 | Tuques
ID: 11092513
Mon, Nov 25, 2002, 14:18
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Guru thanks for answering this one, I'll send you a postal money order in US currency so you won't have to pay to get the money....
Tuques
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Post a reply to this message: (But first, how about checking out this sponsor?)
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