Yes! This!
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I think Jan/Feb. I think we do it as we always did... BUT for the benefit of the site. I doubt King will want any part of it BUT we could take 30/35% of the money and buy a nice limited. SO... at the end we vote on what to buy and Brian at CD does the pic! One could win an S/L Stand! WHO KNOWS... that is what would make it so fun and exciting.
The fundraiser IS one of the big events that kind of brings us all together for a common cause, plus it generates so much conversation, I'd hate to see that go away completely just because we can't donate to Haven.
I think we should certainly continue to be philanthopic to some charity, preferably King-related in some way, since King IS the main focus of the site. There must certainly be charities that SK approves of that could perhaps continue his participation. I would guess that Marsha or others with a personal connection to SK would be the ones that can find that out. To keep the artists involved, perhaps there are other Haven-type charities out there that benefit authors/artists/etc, they just need to be asked what exists like that. If SK bows out of participating, then still raise the funds with a percentage of the total being used for that Grand Prize, pretty much like Kris suggested.
I like the idea of having the site fundraiser extended through January. It would be awesome if King would designate another charity and continue to inscribe the Grand Prize. If it turns out that isn't possible, I like the idea of helping another charity that helps authors and artists. We'll have to brainstorm some worthy charities. The artists who've contributed might have some good ideas. Bill, perhaps you can talk to your contacts and see what they're thinking. The Grand Prize can be something like what Kris suggested, or some original art, or a remarqued edition, or etc..
A very good point.
I'm unsure of what selection process for another charity here is. Several very good suggestions have been made including some that would involve a portion of the proceeds going to the site fees. There have also been suggestions regarding the duration. All of which have validity.
For whatever reasons I have been designated "retired". However, from strictly my own point of view I choose to let the other members, TPTB or, whomever decide what to do for the future. I am more than willing to bring whatever support and resources I can to the party, including perhaps providing a signed book of some sort for a grand prize. However, I think I will reserve that decision until a suitable charity, duration, etc has been chosen by others. If it is something I can get behind I'm there, if not I'll quietly abstain.
You all know me to be a generous person so whatever meaningful organization, duration/structure everyone agrees to I will most likely jump on the band wagon for and I am reasonably certain that most of the artists. etc can be persuaded to support it as well. So, I say we develop some sort of selection process, form a committee or something and get going ASAP. Times a wasting folks!!!! LOL LOL
Spoiler: 12-06-2017 02:50 PMRandall Flagg 12-06-2017 04:14 PMRandall FlaggI made an executive decision and have sent an email to Marsha (no idea if she will even respond) asking if Mr. King would once again personalize a book to our Grand Prize winner. I asked and The Bangor Public library is excited about the possibility of our site donating money to them. A $5,000 endowment gains us public recognition and allows us to specify a subject or genre for the donation to be used.
The fate rests in Mr. King's hands. 12-06-2017 04:36 PMbecca69 12-06-2017 05:08 PMbdwyer19 12-07-2017 05:09 AMwebstar1000 12-07-2017 07:25 AMBrian861This is good news. 12-07-2017 11:52 AMperipheralWhat a great idea, RF... 12-07-2017 12:22 PMjcmanskeI'm excited about the idea as well and look forward to supporting the new fundraiser. Hopefully, King will be on board. 12-07-2017 12:25 PMjhanicEven if King will not contribute, I'll help,out.
John 12-07-2017 01:22 PMbecca69 12-07-2017 01:35 PMjcmanske 12-07-2017 07:17 PMMerlin1958I guess I will not be popular for this and I'm sure the Bangor library could use the funds, but I gotta say that IMHO (and its just that, my humble opinion) there is no shortage of more deserving and impactful charities out there that are deserving of our efforts. I'm not advocating for any one charity in particular, but weigh the Bangor public library against the good deeds done by such mainstream charities as (in no particular order):
The Red Cross
American Heart Association
The Salvation Army
St. Jude's Children's Huspital
American Cancer Society
Christian Charities
And that is just a few. Quite frankly, if Mr. King can't get behind one or more of the major charities out there (and I'm sure he contributes to a few) then I think we can just move on, on our own. As I stated I'd be willing to provide a Signed book of some import for a grand prize and also do what I can to rally the artists and publishers behind the cause with books and/or art. Just an alternate proposal for, El Jefe et al to chew on is all.
Also, something to bear in mind. Convincing artists to pivot to a charity like the BPL may prove more difficult than asking them to support a more far reaching and established charity. Now I realize this suggestion could devolve into 100 peopke proposing a 100 different charities, but I think that the core membership that has been so generous and supportive in the past could fairly quickly disregard personal bias' and settle on one, or perhaps three generally accepted charities that the proceeds could be divided amongst equally. Again, just food for thought, Boss-man/fellow members.
A quickly designed and executed poll might do the trick?
Spoiler: 12-08-2017 03:34 AMstroppygoblinWhilst I bow to Bill's greater knowledge on charities and donations, (his charity works and getting others to contribute are legendary around here) on the comments above I would disagree, for the following reasons:
1. This is foremost a site that revolves around books, Stephen King books in the majority, but plenty of other authors have threads as well.
2. RF has already made the decision and approached Bangor Library and they appear very positive about working with the site. Public recognition will also spread word about the site and potentially gain more members (and therefore the possibility of additional future donations)
3. IMHO SK will be more inclined to donate or sign a book if the charity is associated with literature.
4. The bigger charities, whilst doing excellent work have many, many supporters and marketing machines to spread the word and get donations, It's the smaller charities that tend to get overlooked by the general public.
5. I don't want to annoy the Library Policeman....
JM2C 12-08-2017 04:29 AMperipheralIt would be remiss not to acknowledge Bill’s charitable values, but I do have to agree with Stroppy’s points here. 12-08-2017 04:57 AMThe Library Policeman 12-08-2017 05:10 AMwebstar1000 12-08-2017 06:26 AMEXPLORERAs this thread has developed I have checked in to see the discussion without contributing to gather the collective feeling of those here who direct the fundraiser as well as members concerns. One thought that occurred to me and perhaps others is another option (if needed/desired) might be to look to other organizations which King has noted he suggest might be worthwhile alternatives.
The Haven Foundation has a links page which might be a resource to consider alternative charities which support writers and/or artists. http://www.thehavenfdn.org/links