One time in the past, for the Hearts of Oak project, we decided to accept donations.
We originally didn't want to; but after much deliberation, we caved in.
The way we handled it was that I set up a personal PayPal account.
Everybody could transfer money to that.
I kept a record of everything done in Excel.
The public version of this is still visible here:
When it became apparent that we were unable to convert any more money into the progress we promised, I stopped accepting donations.
There was still money left in the account at that time.
After much deliberation again, the other Project Managers decided to 'donate' that money to me personally.
I still feel bad about accepting that.
It wasn't my money to spend.
It was ours.
---------------------------------------------
Fast forward several years.
With @Keith's request for transferring ownership of the site, I added a "Donate" button at the top of every forum page.
This linked to a new feature of PayPal's, which I much preferred:
PiratesAhoy! Community Money Pool
The reason I prefer this "money pool" is because it is public.
Everybody can see what goes in. Everybody can see what goes out.
For over a year, nothing went in.
Then @DH27 made a donation. And I believe the second is by @JTem...?
That money has sat there, undisturbed, ever since.
It was my attention to keep it that way; at least until the domain of this website is written over to my name.
But this process is in @Keith's hands.
I cannot speed it up.
And I have no wish to pressure him.
After all, it was him who wanted the transfer in the first place.
I did not ask for it.
Unfortunately, PayPal themselves are forcing my hand.
I received an email stating that they are going to cancel that "money pool" feature as per the 8th of September.
If I do nothing, the money is going to end up transferred to my own personal account after all.
I do not want this.
It is not my money.
@DH27 and @JTem, what do you want me to do?
It is your money. And it is therefore your say.
You can have it back.
Alternatively, somebody could investigate this Open Collective that @Hammie suggested?
And how does something like "Kickstarter" or "Patreon" work anyway...?
We originally didn't want to; but after much deliberation, we caved in.
The way we handled it was that I set up a personal PayPal account.
Everybody could transfer money to that.
I kept a record of everything done in Excel.
The public version of this is still visible here:
When it became apparent that we were unable to convert any more money into the progress we promised, I stopped accepting donations.
There was still money left in the account at that time.
After much deliberation again, the other Project Managers decided to 'donate' that money to me personally.
I still feel bad about accepting that.
It wasn't my money to spend.
It was ours.
---------------------------------------------
Fast forward several years.
With @Keith's request for transferring ownership of the site, I added a "Donate" button at the top of every forum page.
This linked to a new feature of PayPal's, which I much preferred:
PiratesAhoy! Community Money Pool
The reason I prefer this "money pool" is because it is public.
Everybody can see what goes in. Everybody can see what goes out.
For over a year, nothing went in.
Then @DH27 made a donation. And I believe the second is by @JTem...?
That money has sat there, undisturbed, ever since.
It was my attention to keep it that way; at least until the domain of this website is written over to my name.
But this process is in @Keith's hands.
I cannot speed it up.
And I have no wish to pressure him.
After all, it was him who wanted the transfer in the first place.
I did not ask for it.
Unfortunately, PayPal themselves are forcing my hand.
I received an email stating that they are going to cancel that "money pool" feature as per the 8th of September.
If I do nothing, the money is going to end up transferred to my own personal account after all.
I do not want this.
It is not my money.
@DH27 and @JTem, what do you want me to do?
It is your money. And it is therefore your say.
You can have it back.
Alternatively, somebody could investigate this Open Collective that @Hammie suggested?
And how does something like "Kickstarter" or "Patreon" work anyway...?
.