2012 Year End Report

Jestor wrote: (...)
Donations have totaled $788.00 US dollars.

Of which:
-part was taken by paypal as fee.
-68.81 pound sterling were spent on hosting
-143.48 euro were spent on hosting.
-400 US dollars were spent on hosting
-6 pound sterling research
-2.50 US dollars on research
-30 Pound sterling for the UK companies paperwork.
(...)

Now this got me thinking. What research could have been done with that kind of money? My best guess is... what effects 15 cups of coffee have on a Jedi knight.

Well, it wasn't here Ah sorry

research was paper we had no other choice but pay for. One was a book by someone who is usually highly critical of Jediism. The other was investigation into a corporation.

Perhaps we could set a goal to reach for donations for the year? A kind of "wish" we could get this amount thing. Then, update a thread motnthly with the total for the year. See how we're doing...

I would like for us to have more funds to spend on research and maybe even start a relief fund to provide aid to those in need.

From January 1st to December 31st, we had 3,842 unique user names sign up... Most never come back...

810 of them filled out applications...

A two-thirds took the Oath too, making them Temple Members....

And only a few are still active...

Why do you think tis is so?

Wescli Wardest wrote: Perhaps we could set a goal to reach for donations for the year? A kind of "wish" we could get this amount thing. Then, update a thread motnthly with the total for the year. See how we're doing...

I would like for us to have more funds to spend on research and maybe even start a relief fund to provide aid to those in need.

Make a budget for 2013 then we can have a goal.

Someone said if you don't know where you are going then any direction is OK.

Rickie The Grey wrote:

From January 1st to December 31st, we had 3,842 unique user names sign up... Most never come back...

810 of them filled out applications...

A two-thirds took the Oath too, making them Temple Members....

And only a few are still active...

Why do you think tis is so?

Because most people just join up super "committed" then realise it's not going to be a breeze and that it requires hard work...their enthusiasm falters when the hard work is put before them....this is what separates those whom want to be here and those that just come for the "highs"

Rickie The Grey wrote:

Wescli Wardest wrote: Perhaps we could set a goal to reach for donations for the year? A kind of "wish" we could get this amount thing. Then, update a thread motnthly with the total for the year. See how we're doing...

I would like for us to have more funds to spend on research and maybe even start a relief fund to provide aid to those in need.

Make a budget for 2013 then we can have a goal.

Someone said if you don't know where you are going then any direction is OK.

My only concern, and that it may sound like we are asking for donations...

And as a policy, we don't...

And as a personal matter, we really hate asking folks for money...

We ask that folks do what they can......

ive just been pretty busy man

My only concern, and that it may sound like we are asking for donations......[/quote]

Don't be. You're a nonprofit organization with a very modest budget with full public disclousure. If you were asking for millions or were using funds extravagantly I'd be concerned.

Post you needs and costs and WE can decide if we want to donate.

The most effective way of 'asking' per se I think is to simply remind people. I think people are willing to donate, they just don't think about it. Month, bi-monthly or quarterly account announcements would remind people that the big yellow button is up there...

But I also agree that we should always and forever have a policy of full account disclosure. That is required in the UK of all charitable organisations, but not in the US and I think it is to the detriment of religious and social institutions and breeds ground for dubious financial practices...

Akkarin wrote: The most effective way of 'asking' per se I think is to simply remind people. ...

Nope. Unless the furture of this church is up to chance. Trusting the force is one thing having a plan is another.

but not in the US

Disclosures are available upon demand. If you"re nit given one that is the first warning sign of stay away.

MCSH wrote:

V-Tog wrote:

MCSH wrote: Next time just call "Sajjad," and I'll do it ASAP...

Do what ASAP?

These small time killing things... I have a headache for them:D

I could have made a post incredibly long...

But, I cant cover every base, besides, I like for others to comment on TOTJO in review, what else I missed, the good (V-Tog), the bad (Ren), and the ugly (Jestor)...

Sometimes, when people joined, they feel like outsiders...

And dont want to disrupt "our" temple, 'our' meaning 'not theirs', when it really is all of us that make totjo special...

Yea, a few of us have a bit more say-so, but only because if everyone had equal say-so, nothing would get done...

It would be like everyone voting for whoever they wanted for president, and everyone voting for themselves, lol...

50 directions does not make a good organization...

So, I was really hoping to see more stuff posted here honestly...

@ Rickie, as far as the donations go, I have gone to Council with your last post...

It does make us uncomfortable, we do discuss it in Council, usually with us making up the differences... John and Ren I think bearing the brunt of the burden... Mark as well...

But, maybe we can comeup with something, someway to gently remind... honestly, idk, this is a new experience for me... lol...

I cant even keep my lights on at home all year, lol...

I will just leave this here ...

[quote="Jestor" post=93580@ Rickie, as far as the donations go, I have gone to Council with your last post...

It does make us uncomfortable, we do discuss it in Council, usually with us making up the differences... John and Ren I think bearing the brunt of the burden... Mark as well...

But, maybe we can comeup with something, someway to gently remind... honestly, idk, this is a new experience for me... lol...
...[/color][/quote]

Again, lets us decide if we want to donate. Don't make that decision for us. Make a plan, we just need to know what you need. If we feel good about it we're in. No plan, no goal, then finances just drift.

Metsu Desal wrote: I will just leave this here ...

I get what you are saying...

But raising awareness doesnt necessarily mean support... If people come here and we are asking for money, it looks like we are just in it for the money...

Look at it from a new persons perspective...

I hear you Ricky, and I have gone to Council, as I said...

We will figure out how to implement something...

[quote="Jestor" post=

If people come here and we are asking for money, it looks like we are just in it for the money...

Look at it from a new persons perspective...

.[/color][/quote]

Dude. You're missing my point. You are already asking for money. You have a donation button! All I'm saying is to share you're plans and give us a reason to contribute.

I'm done. Peace

But raising awareness doesnt necessarily mean support... If people come here and we are asking for money, it looks like we are just in it for the money...

Look at it from a new persons perspective...

If people are coming here, I would hope they are intelligent enough to understand that hopes and dreams do not pay the bills, if we show that we are putting it to good use I.e. paying for hosting/other bills...they will have nothing to say...and in a sense is that not what all religions do? Just a simple brief statement saying "We have raised $X out of our goal for $X" is not demanding...how about some shiny perks such as a photograph of Ren with an autograph...I often forget that the donate button is even there...demanding or asking is different from advertising people can donate...

Yes, I understand... lol...

I will stop here on this topic, i have gone to Council, and we will discuss it..lol...

Thank you...




But....

i for one would donoate if i could offord to donatei have snice found ohter ways to contibuate to the jedi way of life hence obtain buliding materails and investing my time and efforts in the construction plans for a temple or a place of gathering it can also act a a place of bisness for like minded people like us