Has Trad Gang gotten too large?

[Joshua Lee]

My bad, I just don't get the negative aspect of some of the comments. And I'm afraid that some people (that aren't posting) are going to jump on board with the negatives,, like the ceo is paid this and the money goes to who.  Its a good organization, and I just got a little heated, sorry.

[ber643]

Some will never be moved in that/this direction - (we all know that) that's alright too - they will still be our friends and fellow archer/members (I have some personal ones like that). I personally will never donate (again) to Red Cross for very personal reasons - I'm glad others do though. My point is, please let those of us who are inclined, try to move those who will/can be moved towards our support of St. Jude Hospital for Children, without taking personal offense. It is a relatively simple matter not to read the St. Jude related threads, and no one has to, or should feel they have to, "justify" not participating.  

[Terry Green]

Thanks Whip, now we are cooking. I can't keep up at the moment.            

Sorry if some got offended at my few more than normal 'pleas' as they were referred to.  I put up a few more 'reminders' this year due to so many people last year that said they totally missed the auction....all said they didn't see any posts about it.  

Once again, sorry, but I only know how to do things one way.......wide open.  

And yes, I do get 'religious' over helping sick kids during this effort every year.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

Joshua Lee, I respect a man that speaks his mind.

Terry, that's my kind of religion!!!

[David Mitchell]

Whip, thanks for yanking our chains!  I have found a dozen beautiful Autumn orange arrows I do not use and a bow I have had posted for sale that hasn't sold, they will be going up for the auction.  Guess I just never gave it a lot of thought, until your post.    Thanks for the reminder.....Dave

[Jeff Strubberg]

I'm as non-religious as anyone you will ever run into (non, not anti!), and the only reason I don't run more money through the St. Jude's auction is that y'all keep outbidding me!

Seriously, it's a fantastic cause and I need to get off of my tush and donate something.  Thanks for the kick, Whip.

[PAPA BEAR]

origanally posted by vermontster: (We have 98 donors out of almost 24000 members.) this needs to be rectified.donate what you can and buy what you can.the kids will love you for it trust me.

[PAPA BEAR]

i want to tell you a little story about a bow called evo.evo spent an entire year traveling across this great country like a trooper raising money for the kids of st,jude.now i know for a fact that if a piece of wood can get it done then every tradganger here can donate in some way or another.hats off to you terry,whip and all who run the auction.i'll be there.

[lpcjon2]

way to inform the many Joe.Great read and your spot on with it.Please support the kids they need us like we need you.Just think if you gave a dollar for every tip a member gave you that helped you out and saved you money.What would that add up to.So give a tip for the kids.
  There is no reason for anyone to feel like they don't belong if you don't donate.It's not a religious thing but a help a sick kid thing.The auction is just a way some folks like to give and be thankful for the good health their kids have and be compassionate for the sick kids who have it bad.

[vtmtnman]

quote:Originally posted by vermonster13:
We have 98 donors out of almost 24000 members.    

[TRAD101]

I too am non-religious but when I see the words St. Jude's I think of children with cancer not religion. If it bothers some when they see the St. Jude's threads on trad gang then don't open them, just like being a contributor its all volunteer. I myself donate to St. Jude's through an area golf outting. I thank whip for the push for the simple reason I have stuff in storage that will probably be there 20 years from now and it might as well be doing someone some good today. So my opinion is keep it up terry and whip, We all need a little motivation sometime and it should not be taken so negatively.

[jcar315]

Whip, Thanks for the push! Have some items I have been intending to put up but I truly appreciate your reminder.

Always interesting to me some of the perspectives that come out on threads like this. I must admit that some leave me scratching my head at times.

[missagain]

hey whip .. thank you brother , i needed to read this .ive been off work for 3 months due to a spinal fusion in my back ,sitting here kinda takeing life for granted,and thought about what the kids are going through,and even the parents ,i went to the basement and found some broadheads that i wasnt uesing and posted ,and have a few other things i have to dig out.
 FOLKS ITS NOT HARD TO DO !!!! LOOK AROUND THERE HAS GOT TOBE SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE NOT USEING!! OR YOU CAN LIVE WITH OUT    

[coaster500]

Done deal  

 

[horatio1226]

I have always donated something to auction for St. Judes. But like a lot of other people, life just gets hectic and I haven't done it yet. Why does there seem to be less participation with a much larger membership? Acouple of things occur to me. I could be wrong about it. There has been some negative publicity about the auction on other sights. Don't really know all the details, don't really give a hoot. Also,as many here know, I am a Cubmaster, been one for quite some time. When we accept a donation from anyone in the community, we are sure to write a letter thanking them for their generous donation. I'm sure they don't feel it necessary, but I know they appreciate it just the same. I don't ever remember seeing any kind of thanks from St. Judes for the donations of this generous bunch of people. I am sure that they have thanked us, but it doesn't seem to publicized as much as maybe it should be. People like to know that their donations are appreciated. I know that nobody is looking for a thanks, but it never hurts the following years donations. Okay I said my piece,I'm going to work on my donation.Kids are our future.  

[lpcjon2]

Brian
 You may be rite about some needing a thanks,unfortunately thats what society needs for fulfillment.So I would like to thank anyone who has donated to St.Jude auction in the past.You contribution went to a good cause.

If my words didn't help with the thank you maybe a smile from a patient or two will!
 

[pdk25]

Originally posted by Whip:
...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.          

Hi Whip,
  I'm glad that your words have inspired so many to be generous.  For me, they made me less willing to donate than I would have felt otherwise.  Nothing to do with religion, or the thought that St. Jude's isn't a good organization.  It's funny, but I was talking to another trad gang member today that was ready to donate a few items.  He read this post and decided that he wasn't going to be pressured into anything, and now isn't going to donate.  I wonder how many others that read this felt the same way?  New members or old, people decide to give as they see fit.  Perhaps they donate to other organizations that they feel are just as worthy, or more.  Perhaps they donate their time, which can be just as important.  I applaud the people that want to raise money for St. Jude's.  I just don't think that the judgements that are implied in this thread on someone who chooses not to donate are justified.  I've bid on items in the past for this auction, but I think I'll sit this one out.

[horatio1226]

I don't know about anybody else lpcjon, but man the pic does my heart a ton of good. They are some beautiful kids! Thanks for posting it and picking up my spirit!!!      

[Whip]

I'm not quite sure just how to respond to that Patrick.  It makes me sad that I might have turned even one person against the St. Jude fundraiser, no matter what the reason.

Whenever we open our mouths (or type on a keyboard) we run the risk of having our intentions misconstrued and taken the wrong way.  If I have given the wrong impression to anyone, I appologize.  I never intended to make people feel guilty, and I am well aware that many people here have charities that are more compelling to them personally, and that is wonderful.  In no way was I trying to make judgements on those who don't participate.  Everyone has their own situations to deal with and I am in no position to judge anyone.

The only points I was really trying to make were these:

1) The St. Jude auction is coming up, and if you are going to participate, it is time to get your listings done.

2) I had a hard time figuring out why with the fantastic growth of membership on this site, we might actually be facing a decline in participation in the auction.

You joined this site just about 3 years ago, and since that time the membership here has nearly doubled.  Here is a record of the amount of money raised by the St. Jude auction during that same time:
 2009 Total - $82,673.31

2008 Total - $94,781.37

2007 Total - $75,170.54

We showed steady increases until last year, and then fell back a bit.  As of this morning, we were still running behind last years pace for listing items on the forum, even though they have been open for posting for quite some time now.  

I don't have the answers.  Certainly the economy is playing a big part in all of it.  

But no way in the world did I ever intend to make judgements about anyone.  I have simple thoughts, and all that I know is that St.Jude is a very worthy cause and I try to do what little I can to help out.

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by pdk25:
  I just don't think that the judgements that are implied in this thread on someone who chooses not to donate are justified.  I've bid on items in the past for this auction, but I think I'll sit this one out.

You are going to miss out on your own blessings of the fun of the auction, and not help sick kids based on Whip's post?

Hurt yourself and the kids based on a post?....Cut your nose of to spit your face?  What kind of attitude are you promoting?  Think about it. What are you accomplishing with that mentality?