LymeNet Flash: Petition on Lymenet Funding

This is topic Petition on Lymenet Funding in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/36634

Posted by Lyma Bean (Member # 1914) on :

Okay folks let's k.i.s.s. this subject (keep it simple stupid)

How many people will donate to Lymenet when and only when they know that it is a donation and not a user's fee?

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Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :

I Pay-pal'd a $25 donation yesterday.

There's a comment section when you send a PayPal payment.

I wrote in my comment that I appreciated Lymenet but to please keep it voluntary donation-based and never fee based so we could continue to help new people.

That MY vote!

Michelle M.

Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :

DONATION going out today.

People here, give out of the goodness of their hearts. That's what this site is all about and I hope it remains this way.

Posted by cootiegirl (Member # 3216) on :

I have a lot of difficulty paying to use a website. Just won't do it, not when there is so much accessible information on the internet. I can do the research and I don't need to pay for cyberfriends.

Also have diffulty making a donation to a website when I am not real clear about how fees are being used to maintain the site and what is being done with monies collected above and beyond what is needed to run the site.....

I would much rather make a donation to the Lyme Disease Association or Lyme Aid for Kids or ILADS or any other lyme organization that uses the funds for medical diagnosis, research and education. If a website were tied into one of these organizations and some of their funds were apportioned to run a website, then I am ok with that.

You might want to move this thread over to general - not really a medical topic.....
cootiegirl

[This message has been edited by cootiegirl (edited 06 August 2005).]

Posted by Lyma Bean (Member # 1914) on :

Let me clarify my intentions. The other thread on this topic is full of good opinions.

I wanted to simplify it and k.i.s.s. By saying you will donate and not pay a user's fee means just that. Donations are voluntary-not mandatory. That is how this site has always benn supported.

It keeps the site free for those that can't or won't donate, just as it always has

Posted by cootiegirl (Member # 3216) on :

ok, i'll simplfy.....
no to user fee and no to donations to lymenet.
cootiegirl

Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :

no to a user fee

post the budget where $7500 shows up;

what will be done with extra money sent in;

I'll be happy to donate what I can, but NOT a specific amount of money!

bettyg

Posted by tickedntx (Member # 5660) on :

I do not endorse imposition of a user-fee for all the reasons which others have stated, and will not continue to participate if the board owners choose that path.

I might be willing to donate subject to evaluation of the following:

(1) Full and ongoing (annual) disclosure of how the money will be spent along with subsequent reporting of how it was actually spent; I believe this is SOP for non-profits;

(2) Clearly stated commitment to how excess funding will be spent, or saved to cover future shortfalls; and

(3) More effective moderating, including more moderators, better moderators who will move threads to the appropriate forums and step in to mediate out-of-control discussions, and clearly stated and visible/easy-to-find policies that make sense.

For instance, I believe that not discussing PhD's and high profile or other doctors who have otherwise given consent makes absolutely no sense. The reason given for this policy - to have a consistent policy of not discussing any doctors, whether MD or PhD - also makes no sense. The consistent policy could be simply that full names are not used for treating physicians whose licenses and practice may be at risk.

I appreciate that the people who make Lymenet happen are working hard to do this, but until the Lymenet product improves and otherwise makes sense to me, I will not contribute financially.

[This message has been edited by tickedntx (edited 06 August 2005).]

Posted by Lonestartick (Member # 2151) on :

Amen

I will gladly donate, but I do not like the idea of "user fees" in any way, shape or form.

quote:
Originally posted by tickedntx:
I do not endorse imposition of a user-fee for all the reasons which others have stated, and will not continue to participate if the board owners choose that path.
I might be willing to donate subject to evaluation of the following:
(1) Full and ongoing (annual) disclosure of how the money will be spent along with subsequent reporting of how it was actually spent; I believe this is SOP for non-profits;
(2) Clearly stated commitment to how excess funding will be spent, or saved to cover future shortfalls; and
(3) More effective moderating, including more moderators, better moderators who will move threads to the appropriate forums and step in to mediate out-of-control discussions, and clearly stated and visible/easy-to-find policies that make sense.
For instance, I believe that not discussing PhD's and high profile or other doctors who have otherwise given consent makes absolutely no sense. The reason given for this policy - to have a consistent policy of not discussing any doctors, whether MD or PhD - also makes no sense. The consistent policy could be simply that full names are not used for treating physicians whose licenses and practice may be at risk.
I appreciate that the people who make Lymenet happen are working hard to do this, but until the Lymenet product improves and otherwise makes sense to me, I will not contribute financially.
[This message has been edited by tickedntx (edited 06 August 2005).]

[This message has been edited by Lonestartick (edited 06 August 2005).]

Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :

I already sent a check.

If enough donations are received maybe there'll be no neeed for a fee.

So, everyone who can, send money ASAP-simple.

I trust the good people who created Lymenet and work hard (behind the scenes) to keep it going to spend the money as they see fit.

This site saved my butt and I am very grateful to those who make it happen.

janet

Posted by liz28 on :

If the site addressed its current issues, I'd be willing to donate an amount I can afford. With 100,000 registered users, the site can easily make up its debt by asking less than $25 per person.

But its not just the Lymenet technical side that is saving people's lives. What really does it is the large number of people who donate hours and hours of online free time, handholding and research. This is a 24/7 site, all because of volunteers. A lot of this information is not offered by ILADS doctors, and a lot of them would not be in business had not public support been raised for them on sites like these. And these volunteers could use the $25 too! It seems like there is a lack of appreciation for some very dedicated individuals.

Posted by tabbytamer (Member # 3159) on :

No to user fees.

Yes to voluntary donations from people who are able.

Yes to full disclosure of budget, expenditures, donations received.

Posted by valymemom (Member # 7076) on :

I think the majority would agree with Tabby!

And a bar graph showing donation amounts is a great way to keep us informed about need.

Posted by DR. Wiseass (Member # 6777) on :

Hey Ms. Lymer-Bean -

Haven't seen or talked to you in quite awhile. Hope you are doing well....which is probably a stupid thing to say since you're here on the message board....if you were doing really WELL, you'd be out shopping or living the good live.

This is a good topic.

I'll be glad to DONATE as Lymenet as been berry berry good for me.

I will be glad to DONATE after my husband gets thru being mad about the money I "donated" on e-bay!

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DR. Wiseass - not a real doc - just a real wise ass.
www.twistoflyme.blogspot.com

Posted by ivebinlymed2 (Member # 7330) on :

Ditto to Tabbytamer and Valymemom.

I like their ideas.

Agree with more moderation needed, too.

ivebinlymed2

Posted by Laurie (Member # 159) on :

I don't quite understand where the money would be spent. However, that's a moot point for me as I am on a fixed income (Social Security Disability) and can't even afford my own internet subscription (I check the web/my e-mail through the kindness of others in my family). I WILL say that LymeNet may, at times, literally been a life-saver for me. I hope they keep up the good work.