Here's an idea I'll throw out - make the Repair/Restoration/Refinishing Forum 'Patron Only'...

And as suggested elsewhere here, make the For Sale Forum 'patron only' as well...

Rich..As you might guess the Forum owner, John Dunkle has complete control over the structure of the Forum. Only he can make the changes you suggest. I don't know if he has been considering any or all of these types of things.
What all of us can do in the meantime is contribute if we can. Any dollar raised or contributed takes a dollar's worth of burden off of John.
For those of you who don't know..John has many interests..Lugers are not the only one! He has several other Forums and he and his lovely Wife Jen are instrumental in supporting a childrens orphanage in Haiti. They built and operate it. A more generous and humanitarian gesture is unknown to me.
Any dollar spent by John here is a dollar taken away from serious human needs at his orphanage and that is what has me concerned. If we do not take some of the support for this Forum on ourselves.. it might very well disappear.

Take a look at what John and Jen do in Haiti..if you take the time to see Rennwish you will be amazed that John spends what he does here.

http://rennwish.net/place_of_hope.htm

As the saying goes, "The Check is in the mail...". Well, its been written, and put in the envelope - it will actually hit the mailbox tomorrow AM.

I figure I've already learned plenty just by lurking and asking a couple of stupid questions. So the weird newbie felt he should contribute! :D

Zorba, thanks..An old Dutch saying..many hands make for light work. Each of us chip in a little and it 's not painful for any of us.

It's appreciated..
Jerry

I joined the old forum about 1998.

I'd have no problem kicking in a few bucks.
Don't like restrictions.
An awful lot of people get6 directed here from other boards.
Some stick around.

My donation is in the mail today. I like the idea of being a PATRON.

I was just curious about Patron participation. A few people that are not current patrons have suggested selling items or having a raffle. It appears they are reluctant to do the easy thing and just give, it is that simple. Do most members have trouble just giving without getting something in return? Curt

Curt..I was the one suggested a raffle like we have had before..several of them have been very successful in raising money for the Forum.
I think it might be new people offering ideas and their patron moniker might not show up yet?
Either way..it's all good. If I can generate interest and concern then get a little help..every idea and dollar eases the load.
You are right of course..if many give a little it's the easy way to go.

I have also put my donation in the mail. You can't pay enough for all the information that this site offers.

I believe that Jerry has said it best. This Forum costs John D. a significant amount of money to operate and to update and I believe that the users have an obligation to help support the effort. One would think that anyone that can afford to buy a Luger of any variety at today's prices, can afford to chip in $25-30 to keep this wonderful source of knowledge/infornation alive.
Lyn

Keep the forum up and running
 

As a newbie, I enjoy the forum and will continue to do whatever it takes to support it. I have become a Patron with a small contribution, but I really like the raffle idea. Offer 1 or 2 interesting items (this is a Luger Forum, right??) my guess is that it will generate significant income for the site. :cheers:

Offer 1 or 2 interesting items ..Last time Ed and I did a raffle I think we had a couple of pistols and members donated another 18-20 prizes.

Thanks to all of you who are donating a few $$. $Every dollar is an immense help.

I sent in a few bucks-please with hold any titles.
Also don't care for charging for services.

Dropped a small contribution, for Lugerforum or Haiti, in the mailbox this morning.:)

Gene

Gene, Many thanks!~ It is very much appreciated and needed. Thank you.