It's great that people donate to RAF. We're a highly specialized forum, with many dedicated members. You can tell this, as the majority of frequent posters donated to the forum. Some donate large amounts, some donate smaller amounts frequently. This is wonderful. This place has become so much more than just a forum to many of our members, and it's important that we continue to get donations so the site continues to thrive.
Many of the people who donate smaller amounts, are working their way up to becoming a gold member (or should I say gold donor), as they are not able to make large contributions at one time. This is VERY obvious to those with access to the D-Lounge, as several people have flat-out stated this. However, with the changes made as of today, I fear that the donations that these members have intended to keep making will no longer be coming through, as they will no longer accumulate to help them achieve gold donor status.
Let's face it, with the changes made to donor statuses over the past year, much of the incentive people have to donate, particularly if it's under fifty dollars, have been taken away (in particular, they're now subjected to ads on the forum, and their status will no longer last a year.) Another deterrent to donating that I've noticed lately, is the fact that we're being inundated on the blog, as well as on twitter with posts requesting donations. I realize that in order for RAF to survive, donations are necessary, but when the requests are constant, and come off as begging, the site begins to lose appeal, and in turn, donations.
In the end, this site belongs to Richard. It's his choice on how the member groups are created, and what privileges they include, but I think it's very important that we as members voice our opinions on this matter. Let's face it, RAF wouldn't exist without it's dedicated members.
