BuckeyePlanet Spring Drive 2009
BuckeyePlanet Spring Drive 2009
Friends, it's that time again! Time for the Spring Drive, yes... time also to pause and reflect on what BuckeyePlanet has become. The site is amazing simply in terms of numbers; looking back on the earliest threads on the site, it's clear nobody ever expected the sort of growth BP has experienced since its inception. More important than membership numbers, the connections between members have grown exponentially, and we have a true sense of community here. The contributions of so many people in so many different areas have turned BP into a valuable resource for all Buckeye fans. The wealth of information constantly updated in the Recruiting Forum comes to mind first, and we can be proud of the atmosphere we have built there. But at every click, from our core sports discussions to the extensive Game Previews to vbets to games run by members to armchair observations to... well, everything... you're looking at the result of BP members building, building, and building the community... and we all participate in our own way, and we all know it's ours.
The community has pulled together time and time again to ensure we all have the opportunity to enjoy the information and friendships that make BuckeyePlanet great. In 2008, we set a goal of $3,000 towards 6 months of direct site expenses and a "significant contribution towards" a $5,000 expense Clarity was facing personally. The community not only met the entire goal in three months, but also continued to donate far beyond the official drive. Without even holding a fall drive, we exceeded the fall hosting goal with $3,355.36! In total, 389 donations were made by 161 BPers. You all rock!
State of BuckeyePlanet Finances BuckeyePlanet is the creation of its members, with all of our most significant offerings built by a group of individuals able and willing to envision extraordinary things and bring them to life. We take pride in the fact that BuckeyePlanet has become a true community of people working together, sharing information, and forming friendships. As a community, we have also identified ourselves as not visitors here but as stakeholders, and as such, we support the financial needs of the site.
The incredible growth of BuckeyePlanet shows we're doing something right, and it has also presented challenges. At the beginning, expenses came out of Clarity's pocket. After BP's first giant growth spurt, this was no longer fair or feasible, and the community started to contribute. With growth, expenses increased, with bandwith costs sometimes tripling in a single year. These increases eventually led to these formal drives, which have not only kept the site up and running, but have also made a tremendous difference in helping Clarity tackle his health issues and related difficulties.
At a certain point, the growth necessitated the addition of advertising. For years, Clarity had vehemently opposed the idea of any sort of advertising on BuckeyePlanet. Those around him cautiously pointed out that the community would be relieved to know the site that he spends countless hours shaping and building could contribute to removing some of the burdens placed on him by his health issues. Over time, hosting costs went from free to partial to full, and they continue to increase with our bandwith usage. Only at the point where it because a question of having the site online or not did Clarity agreed to implement ads, and SportsWar was contracted to provide them.
When we started last year's drive, we were highly concerned that the minimum ad payments had dropped and that the level of future payments was questionable. This year, after considering dropping SportsWar, they ultimately offered a rate that covered site expenses as well as contributing significantly to Clarity's personal expenses. For the last few months, both the site and Clarity's situation were being stabilized in a way that had not been possible for a very long time, and while the situation at SportsWar was tenuous, we had a promise of 60 days notice prior to any discontinuation. When asked if a Fall Drive, or more recently this Spring Drive, was necessary, Clarity and Longwoodbuck said to hold off as the situation was under control, though how long that would last was by no means certain.
The situation changed rapidly following this week's announcement that SportsWar is shutting down, and will not be making any further payments even for ads which have already run. That situation is being further investigated, but the working assumption is that we've seen our last advertising penny from SportsWar. We have already begun to explore other advertising options. If we find another advertiser quickly enough, payments should start coming in about 60 days from now, though at what level is yet to be seen. In the meantime, however, cash flow just became a big and immediate problem.
In terms of basic site needs, hosting costs are approximately $500 a month. Clarity has been paying miscellaneous expenses such as software license updates and maintenance as necessary related to the periodic server crashes we've seen. Additionally, over recent months, ad revenue has been thankfully sufficient to cover expenses such as rent and utilities for Clarity, a relief to those of us who have been waiting so long to see some of his burdens lifted. Likewise, seeing those burdens being plopped back on him without warning is appalling. The staff has therefore decided to launch this drive with the dual goal of bridging the gap between ad contracts for both the site and for Clarity while we seek to replace the advertising revenue as quickly as possible.
The primary goal of this Spring Drive, therefore, is to raise $2,200 by March 15, again by April 15, and again by May 15. The flip side of this equation is the push to replace advertising revenue within this same time frame. There will be updates as we go through the process, and goals will be adjusted as possible.
Spring Drive Goals - BuckeyePlanet
Note: Time frames were added due to SportsWar collapse and subsequent cash flow issues; see above for details.
- $2,200 - by March 15 - Goal met March 9 - That's right, Spring Drive Day 3 - you all rock!!!
- $2,200 - by April 15
- $2,200 - by May 15
- Secure new ad revenue within this time frame; reassess site needs
Clarity Update If you've been a member here for a while, you know that BuckeyePlanet's founder has been faced with a host of unresolved yet very serious medical issues, for many years without the access to health care necessary to treat his illness or even cleanly diagnose it. What we do know, as the direct result of his testing and access to doctors almost entirely afforded by past drives, is that his immune system is systematically attacking and in some cases severely damaging his lungs, liver, sinuses, central nervous system, and connective tissues. His symptoms make simple activities many of us take for granted extraordinarily difficult, and it is nearly impossible for him to leave the house even for a visit to a nearby doctor save in very carefully controlled, limited circumstances. While his condition keeps him from posting as much as we would all like, he directs his energy into constantly building, updating, and maintaining the site behind the scenes.
If you are a relatively new BPer, here is a link that will give you some idea of Clarity's situation.
Members of the BuckeyePlanet community have been able to provide some much-needed relief for Clarity, from helping with medically necessary transportation to help him move from Florida to Ohio, to handling some dental bills in our last drive. Our help played a role in helping him secure Medicare coverage in 2008 after many years with no health care and no diagnosis.
IncentivesvCash With the expansion of the vEconomy, the rewards for donating have been increased from 1:1,000 to 1:10,000. Now you, too, can be a vHave! 
For example:
$5 real cash = 50,000 vCash
$10 real cash = 100,000 vCash
$100 real cash = 1,000,000 vCash
... and so forth, without limit. vCash totals will be updated once a week for all confirmed donations. Please be patient as some transactions take several days to clear the PayPal/BuckeyePlanet system.
NEW! DOUBLE THE FUN! BB73 has offered to double the vCash out of his personal stash. We'll double the amounts and send him the bill. Make him pay!
vCash Major Award
On March 15, April 15, and May 15, we will have a lottery for a Major Award of v10,000,000! For each date, second prize is v5,000,000, and third prize is v1,000,000.
Every dollar donated equals one entry in the drawing.
Thank You List We will be recognizing donors on BuckeyePlanet's homepage. All donors will be listed alphabetically by username (without amounts), unless you request not to be listed. The list will stay up until the next drive.
Donor Badges
You know this image. It's spiffy. Chicks dig it.
And you can get the newest model for your very own! Chicks REALLY dig it. Collect them all!
Giveaways Since we always have people offer goodies when we start a drive, we're going to leave this as an open category. If you have something cool to donate for a drawing, let us know! Drawings will be held periodically and everyone gets one chance per dollar donation.
Goodies for 2009 (working list)
2008 OSU-UM collage and other high-quality images by jwinslow
How to Donate -PayPal, Snail Mail, and Monthly Donations PayPal Link found on the front page of BuckeyePlanet, or on the black navigation bar at the top of most pages.     
NOTE: Please be sure to include your BuckeyePlanet username with any donation so we can credit your account with the appropriate reward.
Snail Mail Donations Joanna Bryant
5794 Gradey Pass
Galloway, OH 43119-8598
Please add "BuckeyePlanet" to the memo line and make the payment out to Joanna or Will Bryant.
NOTE: Please be sure to include your BuckeyePlanet username with any donation so we can credit your account with the appropriate reward.
Monthly Donation Program - v100,000 Bonus!
Do you want to contribute more frequently? Do you want automatic payments like the pay sites have but 100% completely voluntary because BP is 100% FREE? Let the equivalent of a monthly cup of coffee grow into a significant contribution by becoming a monthly donor!
Please note that it is very important to all of us that we remain a free community based on the freely given support of our members. Signing up for the monthly donation option is simply a way of automating donations, and does not afford access to any "premium" sections of the site - because we don't have any - or want any!
We want to encourage monthly donations as a way to stabilize BP's financial future. Monthly donors will be awarded an immediate bonus of v100,000 (automated!) upon registration for the program in appreciation of their continued commitment to the site. This is in addition to any other benefits. Eligibility for any giveaways will be calculated based on the full six-month amount. Our 11 current monthly donors will receive the same bonus at the start of this drive. How it Works
Click here, or in UserCP, near the bottom of the left menu, click "Paid Subscriptions." Select the amount you would like to donate monthly, and complete the PayPal transaction.
Use your own bank account or credit card through PayPal if you wish, or the balance in your PayPal account.
NOTE: Please be sure to include your BuckeyePlanet username with any donation so we can credit your account with the appropriate reward.
Other Ways to Support BuckeyePlanet
Bring Us Your Business - We're looking for advertisers and would ideally like to support companies that understand what we are all about. BP members tend to be highly educated and have significant disposable income, and we're a good fit for many types of businesses. As evidenced throughout the board and by the success of these drives, BPers are incredibly loyal - we support those who support BP! Contact an admin for more information.
Do Your Own Thang - Informal get-togethers hosted by BPers have been very successful both socially and in terms of fundraising. Have an idea?
Got goodies? - Sometimes we like to give away a little something as a thank-you for donating. Let us know if you have something to contribute. Others have auctioned items and donated the proceeds.
Your Brainchild, Alive! - It's not really about the money at all; this drive is just so we can get back to content. And all content on BP, from the Recruiting Forum updates to the vBookie to Pick'ems to BPRT features, started as someone's idea. See a need or an opportunity? Take on a project of your own!
Thank You!
BuckeyePlanet is a pretty incredible place, and it's all because of us, collectively and individually. Thanks so much for your continuing support, and here's to our success as a community!
Last edited by Deety; 03-09-2009 at 10:04 PM.
Reason: changed DarkRed to b90000
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03-03-2009, 03:11 AM
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