I would hope at some point the vendors would find enough value here to support the site without contributions from the membership. The dollars spent on cat products by the membership is quite high, recurring and likely exceeds the per capita expenditures of other breeds given the cost of entry.
While the whole collection of us stand to benefit from the information here, breeders, the makers of food and supplement products along with the manufacturers of cat care products and toys benefit financially. That has great value, and as witnessed last night there are some pretty good avenues here for a vendor to gain better visibility for their goods.
I certainly have no qualms about financially supporting the site, although I believe there are unintended consequences in the promotion of supporting members. It creates a caste system for those who are members and those who aren't while a better goal is increasing overall membership and making new members feel comfortable. Certainly most of those reading this go out of their way to make a new member feel comfortable and welcome, although the true ambition should be to secure perusers of the site to become members.
Defining what is "True North" for this site is what will keep it viable into the future. Separating the goals from the results is what will keep it vibrant. Membership count and sponsorship totals are results, while providing the best forum for people to learn about the breed and it's care would be a goal. As long as there is the mindset that everything done is to better the goal, the results will take care of themselves.
I already know this is where the collective that puts a great deal of effort into this site has their heads and hearts. There are always times when a new endeavor enters the fold or an issue needs addressed and keeping in mind what "True North" is should always be a guiding principle in making the right decisions. It doesn't need to be measured in quantity, but by quality and as mentioned before the rest will take care of itself.
I agree and disagree with some of what you have said...
Many, many other forums have a site sponsor-based membership...it was suggested by some of the members here we move in that direction and I still think it is a good idea...eventually the hope is that vendors will support the forum, but we are only a year old and I don't see that happening for a while...
Reef Central is a forum that has site sponsors as we do and vendor sponsorship - they do both...and that is a HUGE forum - has been in existence for years.
Sponsorship and Donations have allowed me to do many things I have not been able to do...if I was independently wealthy, that would be different...but I am not...
As for the "caste" system, I don't see it that way...I looked at many other forums before deciding how to do this and they all made a designation for site sponsors, donations over a certain amount...we are getting many more "donations" now, for which I am very appreciative...I put my heart and soul into this forum, as well as my money and time, as have the moderators and members...I just want to keep it viable, interesting, fun and informative!
