Has Trad Gang gotten too large?

[Whip]

I've been musing after reading Terry's post about the St. Jude auction and the decline in items donated this year.  There are far more members here than ever, and growth has been great.  But I'm wondering why all these new members don't seem to get involved in the St. Jude project and kick in where they can.

Is is like the difference between living in a large city where you don't even know your neighbors, versus living in a small town where you know everyone?  Do the newer members here simply remain anonymous, stop in to check there favorite forums and go on their way without really becoming involved?  

Do the new people think that the St. Jude project is some kind of special project only for certain members of Trad Gang?  Nothing could be further from the truth!    St. Jude is for YOU!!!      

We need each and every one of the nearly 24,000 members to jump in and do what they can.  List an item for sale.  When the bidding starts, visit the auction forums and bid where you can.  Even if you know you'll never win the item in the end, keep the bids going up to raise more money for the kids.

If you have seen references to St. Jude before, didn't know what it is about and simply assumed it was intended for someone else and simply skipped over it, you are wrong.  As I said, St. Jude is for each and every member of Trad Gang.  Go to the main forum page and scroll down to the special St. Jude section.  Page through the listing forum to see all the great things that have already been donated.  Read the "How the auction works" thread to become familiar with the process, and make plans to have a lot of fun when the bidding begins next week!

This rant really isn't meant to question whether Trad Gang has gotten too large.  The title of the thread is meant to be seriously taken "tongue in cheek", because I don't believe for a minute that we really have too many people visiting here.  The growth of Trad Gang is great to see, and I hope it continues far into the future.  

My intent is simply to goad those who have not yet gotten involved in the St. Jude auction project to give it a chance.  Go read Terry's thread.  Dig in your basement and find something, anything, to list.  It doesn't have to be archery related at all.

And most importantly, when the auction forums open for bids next week get on there and bid often!!!!

See you there!  

[2treks]

Nice Job Whip. It is about getting outside of ourselves and meeting and helping our neighbor. That is what make Tradgang a special place on the web.Bringing people together from around the globe with Trust,generosity,help,Prayers,and edification,things that are to far gone in todays world,lets tighten it up, Life is happening even if we don't click on the thread. Now, I am gonna see what I can do.
Chuck

[Mudd]

Whew! You certainly made me look!

Good on you Whip!! I wish I were as articulate and had the gift of getting the message out as you just did. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!


With all the love of Christ Jesus

God bless,Mudd

[vermonster13]

We have 98 donors out of almost 24000 members.    

[ber643]

Great post, Whip - and, just in case anyone doesn't know, he doesn't just give articulate, and easy to take, "lip service". Whip is always in there "whipping" up interest, bids, and purchases (of his own). Bless your heart and your understanding & support, Whip.

[Chris Shelton]

if a poor boy like myself can donate something . . .then everyone should be able to find something!!!  

[ber643]

One of my first donations (in the first St. Jude Auction) was a used coffee cup - I think with an elk or something "outdoorsy" on it - just as sort of a trial (another "poor boy" on a low fixed income seeing if he really could help). It raised more money than I ever would have thought, and sure made my heart smile . It also helped set my course for me as a St. Jude Auction "cheerleader". I had always believed in St. Jude Hospital, since the days of Danny Thomas (before his daughter) but as a enlisted military man (in the really low pay scale days) with two families to support (stuff happens), I could never donate more than about 5 bucks. Finally, tradgang.com gave me a way to support, if only by cheering on and harrassing. I've never looked back and do all I can each year, all year, knowing that those who can do more will value and boost my contributions. I praise TradGang for giving me a lighted way to "contribute" in my own small way, and for it's amazing growth in it's support of St. Jude Hospital for Children. No amount of help or monies is too small - ask Doug Campbell and/or Terry Green - it all helps the total and encourages, by example, others to help.

Bless you all, bless us all.

Please do not hesitate to pitch in - even if it can only be "penny-pitching" in your mind. You never know what an "idea" might accomplish in the end.

[vermonster13]

Right on Bernie.

We have fisherman, flyfisherman, golfers, etc etc. Anything in those areas has brought good money. We also have a lot of new parents/grandparents so items for children and babies do well. Be creative, some really surprising things have raised considerable funds for the kids. The thing in the corner somewhere collecting dust could be the one that helps us set yet another new record this year.

[Bear]

     

My item will be posted as soon as I get the loose ends tied up. I have been so insanely busy that I haven't had time to make the last few required contacts.

It'll be good...  

[mrpenguin]

With that many members, maybe we can get flat donations too... imagine if everyone member gave just $1.00, that would be 24k!!  If we each gave $5 (the cost of a venti latte) that would be 120K... wow!!!  If someone closer to the St. Jude's funds would initiate a collection of $1-5, I bet we could raise a lot of money!!

[gregg dudley]

Spot on, Joe!  

The time is at hand!  Every item counts no matter how big or how small.

On a positive note there are some really great items that have been donated!

[rastaman]

Click here to donate even $1!

To follow-up with what mrpenguin alluded to in his post, click on the link above for an easy way to donate to St Judes.  

[wapiti792]

Way to go Joe...it made me look and I AM A DONOR. Makes me think I got more "stuff" to donate besides that bow you expertly cleaned up for me. Gonna go home and round up some more items for the kids  

[Irish]

Well said Joe  

[ripstik]

This reply is not intended to make a bunch of you folks mad,but I did not come to this forum to participate in religion auction.I came here for guidance in my quest to be a better traditional archer.I like and respect what you folks have going here.I also think it's honorable that you will take your time and participate in the St.Jude's auction.Perhaps I will too at some time.
Please try and understand my point.I support you 100% and I'm sure others do too.It's just that I am not ready to take part in the auction and this post makes me feel like I should move on if I don't follow your beliefs.Sorry.

[just_a_hunter]

St. Jude isn't a religon auction. It's a childrens cancer research and treat hospital..

Todd

[rastaman]

Uhhh...Mr. ripstik...it isn't a religious auction.  It is an auction to help sick kids. No more.  No less.  It is about all of us, and it is a very important part of what tradgang is about.    

[WindWalker-AK]

Mr. Whip,
With all due respect to yourself and St. Jude, the wife and I already donate to St. Jude, on a monthly basis.  The few items we have available for donation, from time to time, we save and give to our Church twice a year.
Please do not think we don't care just because we have not participated via this forum.  Being retired, we only have so much to go around and do the best we can.
By the same token, I greatly respect what you folks are doing and applaud you for it.
Also, thank you for providing the best Archery forum on the internet.
Best Wishes

[Joshua Lee]

ok, your right, I'm a newbie and my plan was to make my donation by bidding.  But maybe I can find something round here to donate as well.  Thanks for the hipcheck into the glass to wake me up.
Josh

[Spurs]

Ripstik, I don't think that anyone here is trying to do anything more than provoke thought.  The idea is to provoke the thought of 24,000 members, and some will show action and  give out of conviction.  Saying this each and every one of us have different circumstances.

I myself lost a child last year to heart disease.  My money has gone to Labohner children's medical center in Memphis along with some to St. Jude.  If your heart convicts you to give, then give.  If not, then no harm done, but with 24,000 members, the idea is to get everyone's gears turning.  You are no less of a person if you do not give to this cause because only you know your own circumstances.   This is one of many great causes to give to, and I am proud to come to tradgang everyday knowing that it is full of good people that know there is more to this life than just hobby.