Just an update. We had a fund raising in the Spring (2016) and are in good shape until next Spring (2017). We currently have $2,198.00 in the Paypal account. We are not asking for donations at this time. I spent $100.00 on some web development software and learning it now for updates.

We use tech support frequently as the database is large and we are rarely charged. We are on a dedicated server which is backed up daily. There are cheaper alternatives, but I can call and get help immediately most of the time. The personal service is worth the extra cost.

I am sure it flusters the Mormon church that such a small budget can create big issues for them. Again, thanks for those who contributed. I will update the finances again in November.

Below is a typical monthly invoice:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C U S T O M E R S T A T E M E N T
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WingNET Internet Services Statement Generated: 09/10/2016
P.O. Box 2605 Account Number: 3092
Cleveland, TN 37320-2605 Invoice Number: 3092-169
US Tax ID #: 62-1831233
VOICE: 423.559.5465 FAX: 423.559.5145





Transaction Detail Covering 09/09/2016 - 09/10/2016

DATE DESCRIPTION CHG TAX TOTAL
==============================================================================

09/09/2016 Balance Forward 62.41
09/10/2016 CHARGE: 100.00 0.00 100.00
Web Hosting Special 100Mb Rate
Service Name: 'exmormon.org'
from 10/01/2016 to 10/31/2016
Reference Number: 552876
09/10/2016 CHARGE: 5.95 0.00 5.95
Email Hosting 5/5
Service Name: 'exmormon.org'
from 10/01/2016 to 10/31/2016
Reference Number: 552877
09/10/2016 CHARGE: 0.00 0.00 0.00
Complimentary WINGNET Email
Service Name: 'erickett@wingnet.net'
from 10/01/2016 to 10/31/2016
Reference Number: 552912
09/10/2016 CHARGE: 35.00 0.00 35.00
Web Hosting Special Rate
Service Name: 'virtual server & backup'
from 10/01/2016 to 10/31/2016
Reference Number: 553016

=========***********************************========

PAST DUE $62.41 DUE IMMEDIATELY
NEW UNPAID CHARGES $140.95 DUE 09/25/2016
-------------
ACCOUNT BALANCE $203.36

If paying by check, please write 'account 3092' in the memo

And, you are transparent with the finances, Eric. Unlike that organization we are all recovering from! Thank You!

+1

What is the situation regarding your plans for exmormon(dot)org upon your incapacitation or demise?

I don't expect a detailed response here, but hope you have given it consideration...

Do you know someone or group who would wish to take it over? I get tons of criticism for its old design and layout. It is kept simple, but it is terribly dated. A few people offered to update and did not follow through.

I like simple, Eric. I'm old and slow to adapt to change...keep it as is...it works!! And thanks!

Ron Burr

"Do you know someone or group who would wish to take it over?"

Eric, not that I have a dog in the fight, but I would think that it would be a good idea to set up the website and BB to be folded into something like the ExMormon Foundation or Mormonthink when the time comes. Maybe you could draw up some sort of a contract or mission statement that would ensure that RFM be continued with the same basic mission and values which you have kept up all these years.

I am going to work on that. In a few weeks there should be a plan in place. Thanks for the concern. RfM is a group effort.

Incapacitation or demise? Porter Rockwell? Danites?

I say we form a group called The Intellectual Preserve, Inc. Let's create an endowment with it's sole mission to be maintaining finances and continuous accessibility for the website in perpetuity.

Careful whom you copy. Next thing it'll turn into a caste system. Full commenting & viewing for those that "contribute" monthly. They get to associate with all the upper tier members. Then, you have your "inactive" members that don't contribute financially. They can view comments, but can't post comments or attend exmo meetups. Then last, you'll have your outer darkness group. Those will be blocked from viewing exmormon.org until they repent & realize the error of their sins. Seems like I've seen this somewhere before.

The site will always allow anonymity with no requirement to donate. If either were to ever change, I would not associate with the site. In other words, there will never be a tiered membership. We have great admin and tech volunteers who quietly work in the background to make this place run as smooth as possible.

I know Eric. That was a satirical post.

I'll pay $1000 to be named the "Non-Profit's Seer and Tabulator."

It's not an issue of change, it's an issue of continuation, hopefully exactly as it is now. What plan(s) exist to make sure payment notices are read and given proper response, especially the ownership of the domain.

TMSH's mention of a committee has some merit, but that's as far as my limited acumen, not to mention mortality, goes.

Yes, "Business Continuity Planning" is common parlance at work for this type of thing - who's going to run the place should some catastrophe occur? How will they do it?

I don't know about the rest of Exmormon(dot)org because I only use RfM, so there's a lot more to the project of the continuing the Domain and its work than just preserving RfM.

One thing that ought to be taken into consideration in terms of preservation is that it retain its "Erik K" 'tone' or 'direction.' This can be difficult because when the guiding hand is absent, those in charge can't resist, no matter how hard they try keep, to THEIR 'tones' and 'directions' from seeping in. The cry, "Erik wouldn't have done that!!" will accompany any changes that occur, no matter how beneficial.

How long will an Exmormon site be needed? At least until the Second Coming...

Heavenly Father expects there to be a tiered system to things. If you want to be worthy then as a start you have got to fork over at least 10% of your gross income to the beloved leadership. Then you can move up the chain of worthiness to become more elite than others. However you can only remain worthy if you never question the authority of the beloved leaders or ask them unapproved questions. The prophet hath spoken and thus the debate is over. Isn't it marvelous how transparent, honest, and glorious that Mormonism is :)

Plain and simple: exmormon.org rocks.

Thank-you, Eric. Let people criticize; this is easy to navigate without a lot of nonsense like tag-lines and avatars.

This is the bandwagon I'm on; RfM is what it is and I get a big kick out of it.

"We don't need no stinkin' bells and whistles!"
--Pathos Lagrimas, on the occasion of the invention of the steam-powered guillotine

The layout is dated, but it is easy to navigate, and you cannot say that about slick new looking internet forums. My only complaint is that I wish you could somehow Implement a private messaging system within the Forum. I don't know if it is even possible with the software that the form is ran on, but I think that would be a wonderful feature.

Other than that, no complaints. Some things used to bug me, but I've gotten so used to them, that frankly I find them convenient.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/10/2016 12:18PM by midwestanon.

Yeah, but this is the only website I've been on where you can pay a few bucks extra for the keyboard switch that turns on other people's webcams so you can watch them pick their noses...and stuff... Since finding that out, I ALWAYS wear a white shirt and tie when I'm on RfM.

So that is why the camera on my laptop keeps blinking. Just so that you know, the magazine I was reading last Tuesday was an Ensign.

The Ensign has a fold out section now??? If you would read by something other than the light from your TV, I could have seen the title....

To all the webcam snoopers out there, all I can say is I'M not ashamed: enjoy the eye candy.

The exmormon.org web cam exploit does not always work.

which is why I don't mind paying extra, so I can count on it working~!~!!

We greatly appreciate your work and dedication Eric. And the older interface is more than adequate.

I suggest that you file for an IRS 501c3 status if you haven't done that already. In addition to the tax benefits, the process will force you to file articles of incorporation, with bylaws, and to select board members. Those are the foundation of the organization (internal rules) that you hope to have outlive you. At first, keep everything very close, with yourself and family and close friends controlling the board. Carefully bring in new board members, one at a time vetting and grooming them over time. You don't have to give up control that way, until you want to retire, or in the unfortunate event that the board is forced to enact your succession plans due to your demise. But this all takes time to do right. You might want to start right away.

I've been a board member of a public charity for several years now and due to other commitments, I don't aspire to be the CEO myself. We're always looking and vetting the volunteers. After five years of looking this way, we just recently found someone who is so dedicated to the cause itself (with or without us), that we invited her on to the board and told her that we want to groom her to take over as CEO some day if our current CEO can't continue. This is how to plan for succession. Also any of the board members in our organization would resign if the group wanted them to, most likely without any damage to the personal friendships or even the person wanting to stop volunteering. Those are the kinds of people to look for.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/10/2016 12:59PM by azsteve.

Sounds like a great idea.

Being that I'm fairly new here, I find this site to be verily verily informative and I visit daily unless I've locked myself outside again and I'm praying on the porch to find the key I have hidden somewhere but can't remember.

My only question at the moment is, when will we build a mall? What would the name of that mall be? And, will there be a coffee shop inside?

In all seriousness, this is my favorite site and I always come here first before checking the local bookings page. I hope to see my Mother-in-law there one day.

Thank you Eric K and all the past and present mods!

Glad to see the financial transparency and the discussion on how to keep this wonderful and helpful site running :)

We've happily donated in the past when the need has arisen.

Keep up the good work!

Thank you for your work. How hard can it be for tscc to show their finances in this way?