Introducing our Supporting Members scheme
Hi Everyone
I've held off introducing a member subscription/donation scheme for as long as possible here on Over 50s Forum, but as we get bigger and busier, I think it's only fair we join Dogsey and Catsey by adding one here too... Over50sforum is actually not that far behind Dogsey in terms of activity now
A number of you have already enquired about adding them here, as well as whether there are any legitimate methods to turn off the animated adverts that show at the top of all pages - so hopefully this will be a welcome addition to some of you.
Firstly, what are these subs?
They are a way for any member to help towards the running cost of the site
They can be paid as a one off annual payment, or as a monthly subscription. We have Silver, Gold and Diamond packages, and each come with benefits too, such as unlimited PM space.
Why do we need them?
As many of you know, Over 50s Forum is currently on Dogsey's server, and Over 50s Forum is now not that far behind Dogsey in terms of activity and pages the server has to serve. I know we have fewer people logging on everyday than we do on Dogsey, but we are chattier here
Supporting member packages have actually been on Dogsey pretty much since it started - which was ten years ago, so we've done really well keeping them off here for so long.
There's no pressure to get one!
Please note there is absolutely no pressure to get one - we know that not everyone can (or wants to) financially support a site. You are ALL helping this site and community just by being here, taking the time to reply to other people's threads, by posting interesting topics etc. This scheme is just for those who want it
Benefits and costs
I mentioned benefits, so here they are:
Annual packages can be paid for by Paypal or by credit card.
Costs
Silver Supporter - £10 annually
Gold Supporter - £25 annually
Diamond Supporter - £49 annually
Platinum Supporter - Same as Diamond (just in case anyone does not like Diamonds
)
Want to see approximate prices in other currencies? Check out
this post.
Benefits
Silver Supporter
Unlimited PM space
Can request read receipt when sending PMs
Access to Subscribing Members Forum
Removal of Google Adverts in the top bar
Gold Supporter
Same as Silver but with:
Removal of Google adverts in side column as well
Diamond & Platinum Supporter
Same as Gold Supporter
Removal of all other Google adverts as well
Ok I'm tempted, what do the pages look like after ads are removed?
Take a look at these screengrabs...
Silver (removal of ad at top)
Thread Listing Page
Thread Page
Gold, Diamond and Platinum (removal of ad at top and side)
Thread Listing Page
Thread Page
I hope this explains our Supporting Members Subscription Packages in more detail, and please please
please remember there is absolutely no pressure to get one - I will genuinely be upset if anyone got one when they were not in a position to. They really are here for those who want to help with the running costs, or for those wishing to turn off adverts legitimately and have the means to do so (please do not discuss other methods to circumvent ads thanks!).
For those of you who decide to get one, thank you very much for your support and for everyone else, thanks for reading and your understanding. If anyone has any questions, please just ask.
If anyone's interested in getting one, you can find them here:
http://www.over50sforum.com/payments.php