Membership Fee?

[Babycakes1]

Would you be willing to pay a Membership Fee, which would help us increase the number of questions and comments we allow each day?  

We are pondering a $5 Annual membership fee to support this forum. If we go forward with this, only members would be allowed to post questions and comments.  We would appreciate your input on this?

Regards,
Med Help

[mikesimon]

I've got no problem with the $5 fee. Mike

[Tony-z]

I would have no problems with a 5.00 membership. I think that it is a great Idea.

How much more room would this give us? Also would we be able to search archived posts from the Hep-C forum?


                TonyZ

[want2live]

Sure, I would.
How about a multi level system where "regulars" would pay $5, but you would still allow new peole the ability to ask questions and browse with limited ability?
That way new folks could still ask questions and such without being scared off by the charge?

[layla]

I don't think it is a good idea. This would make this site seem (owned) by certain persons. I have seen enough of that recently and think it deters people from coming here. I also think people want to experience sites before they decide which ones to stay on and this would make that impossible. I can understand if you need funds to increase the post available but myself I would prefer you did it differently. Perhaps monthly asking for a small donation on a post. I'm not sure this is the way either but I personally think requiring it is not the way either. If you need $5 I would surely send it but I don't think it should be required. LL

[cuteus]

$5 annual fee to access information at the forum is a minimal price to pay when compared to other subscription/membership fees.
Allowing a trial period for newbies or limited access might  deter uneccessary and trivial questions. We see many unrelated questions posted here because they see a fee in the ask a doctor section and none here.
I still think promotional items like caps, mugs and such would be a nice way to say thank you to MH. The items would not be manufactured until enough orders were in. I still want that t-shirt...
Another question I had, if we are ever blessed with a hepatologist would there be a fee to ask him question as it now stands in the gastroenterology section or  Would this $5 allow us access without further charges?  

I know, I know, I am getting ahead of the cart.
$5 is fine with me

[GALLIUM]

just let me know how to send it to you.
after what we pay for these meds 5 bucks is cheep for the
help we get here.

[jg2001]

$5.00 is not too much to ask considering the wealth of information here.  I especially like Cuteus' idea of mugs, hats and t-shirts!  "I AM A SURVIVOR", "DRAGON KILLER", "DRAGON SLAYER", "ANYONE FOR BAR-B-QUED DRAGON?", or something to that effect...sounds like you're on to something there gal!

Jamie

[Amerabrit]

Hi Phil, I would be happy to pay a $5.00 membership fee - the information I have found here is priceless, not to mention the super nice and helpful people I've met here...  I like the idea of giving newbies a free trial membership because I have met many on this board who struggle financially and I would hate to see them shut out because of an inability to pay?
BTW, my husband and I have recently updated our wills and included Medhelp in our charitable donation bequeaths; I hope to live a long and happy life, but one needs to be prepared:).
Good luck with your survey.

[Sam Hall]

$5 mmm not much in

[gomactrading]

Is this question asked by a person who currently administers this site? If so, who and how is currently subsidizing this and all the other forums on medhelp.org?  Are there funds appropriated or is this an entirely volunteer work? The problem is not the $ 5.00 but the introduction of the concept itself.  Would patients in need be willing to pay $ 10.00?  How about $ 25.00?  To what extent such forum is based on humanitarian aid and to what extent is or will it become a venture? Given that the participants are asking the questions and providing the answers (to a very large extent)a fee based exchange of information is not right. Neverheless, members who want to contribute by donating time, web space, web programming, sounds like a much more humanitarian approach.

[MS_Vicki]

I certainly don't have a problem with that...

The Valuable info that I received from this site has been priceless, & in my heart, far out-weighs the Boolaah. To be quite honest 99% of the info I got, was mostly just from reading others experiences. So that part would still be free.

My particular TX came with alot of added stress factors, & the off-line, sincere, true friendships that I acquired from here have been assets that truly helped me thru some very difficult times throughout this incredibly long journey!

Seems to me it is worth that alone just for the extra maintenance this site sometimes requires, & it might help cut down on some of the BooLahh, & "A.K.A.'s"  

This site has always been home to me regardless of weather I choose to post or not, & I'd would still be more than happy to send another donation, or pick up the tab for a few serious posters!

Sincerely...
No Longer Befuddled... but still just stumblin around "for 8 more weeks anyways"
Take Care... & Thank-You for providing a site for such a worthy cause!
Vicki

[Tony-z]

Have you read the terms and conditions. You might find it interesting to look the entire  Med-Help organization over. Here is there link.



<a href="http://www.medhelp.org/">Med Help International.</a>


                TonyZ

[mbn]

I'm with Layla, I think most of us would donate $5 or more if asked every month or so.

[gomactrading]

Yes, I read what is available.

[Plutonium-kid]

I'm with GOMACTRADING on this issue. One shouldn't have to ask....bur rather like in a CHURCH....
DONATE!

Ben

[barryd]

no problem small price to pay for information to make your life more tolerable..this last weekend i not only got my 5.00 worth i would think i owe more

[gomactrading]

To substantiate what I just said above, in as much as I am no longer a frequent user of this site (I cleared the 1a virus some 2 1/2 years ago) I just made my DONATION to medhelp.org as the ONLY way I see a non profit organization as functioning.  Needless to say that I share the common desire of all patients of freely exchanging information and support for the benefit of them all.

[cuteus]

I am not sure a small membership fee would affect the non profit status, but if it does, then Phil and Cindy will deal with that aspect of the site.  They are the founders of the site and can change it to fit their mission as needed.

[Galen]

Alrighty, then.  I've been a member here for about 3 years so just let me know where to send my $15.  Yes, everyone, I will make it retroactive because without this site I would never have made it through tx.  The advice, friendship, support, humor, and general moaning and groaning kept me going when I couldn't take another minute of the downward spiral to hell that was my life.  Today I am one year clear, feeling great, and have a future WITHOUT HCV.  Thank you more than I can say, Phil and Cindy, for making it possible.

[Ambush]

I'm in!  A very small price to pay for all the help and support I found here.  
One month supply of Pegasys:  $1600.00
Aveeno and Nioxin:  $25.00
Copegus/per month: $750.00
MedHelp HCV Forum:  PRICELESS!!

ambush :)

[honey1616]

No problem at all as this site has offered me so much. I would like to know your thoughts on new people that venture here because I'm afraid in beginning,,,they wouldn't sign up for membership and go on to other free sites and then we would not be able to grow or benifit if the numbers weren't there. Afraid it might be just a selected group always posting.

[sher_]

I have NO problem with it. Tell me where I'll send a donation.

[GulfCoast]

I'm cool with the $5. Seems like a very small amount to contribute considering the info & support I've received here. I also like the ideal of some type of trial member ship and/or browsing capability for newbies.
Peace - Gulfcoast

[DebbieDo]

I have been very blessed by the abundance of information i have received here in the past 1  1/2 yrs. I don't post alot, but, i have come here daily to read the info.  I don't think $5.00 is too much to ask for membership, but, I do think a trial membership would be great......I mean who you pay for something you know nothing about, regardless of how little the fee is?
OR......a request for monthly donations as mentioned would be great too.......Whatever you decide will be fine with me...
Thank you  "Medhelp"  for all you have  given us.........Debbie  :)