Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Site News and Information => Announcements => Topic started by: Susan on July 22, 2013, 11:00:53 PM

Title: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 22, 2013, 11:00:53 PM
I hate to do it, but as I announced back in July 2012 the time has come to ask for your help in continuing to provide life saving support to the transgender community.  I have single-handedly financed the operations of Susan's Place since 1996 with very little outside support.  I did this by putting every nickle and dime I earned into the web site. It is and will remain a labor of love for me.

I have done this using income from my job, help from my boss, and of course maxing out some really good credit cards. In that time I figure that I have spent roughly $174,000 myself over the last 17 years and I eventually need to get some of that back.  The figure includes my time, hardware, software, server maintenance costs, and bandwidth. However my personal finances have been at the maxed out point for several years as my costs to provide this website have steadily risen while the income from my job has remained flatlined. 

Those expenses will continue to go up some as we make some much needed changes which will modernize this web site and also expand the offerings that we provide.

In the last year this site has served 2,288,142 Visits from 1,335,349 Visitors accounting for 13,022,777 page views. Since I started keeping stats using Google analytics in November 2006, we had 9,159,286 visits from 5,038,423 visitors accounting for 58,504,050 page views.  Between 1996 until now I have had several hundred people spontaneously contact me to tell me how this web site has saved their lives, so we are doing good works; and I want to continue to do so.

I have thought long and hard how to spread the costs of providing lifesaving peer support for the Transgender Community, here is what I have come up with.

First off everything that is freely available to you today on this web site, will remain free with one exception, the private Just for us forums are going to become subscriber only.

I am adding the ability to make donations or you may chose to setup a reoccurring subscription to the site.

We are going to allow people who wish to help with the monthly costs to do so by establishing a monthly subscription option for $10.00 or $20.00 per month for those who want to help support the site.

First, I want to first make absolutely clear that if you choose to make a donation or subscribe to the site, there are no refunds! We also do not offer any guarantees of any kind. We reserve the right to add, change or remove any products and services which are part of any packages at any time.

Second, and perhaps most importantly I want to make very clear that by supporting this web site you will not receive special treatment in regards to violations of the rules.

The primary difference between a donor and a subscriber is:For those who are still in the closet I have come up with a way to so that the subscription or donation can be identified as a reoccurring donation to a non-transgender foundation, so if you need to explain the charge.  This will be explained in the Supporter News forum you gain access to as a donor or subscriber.

Minimum donation
As donations are processed by paypal and we are charged a transaction fee for each donation, we would request that you consider making a minimum donation of $5.00, however any amount over $1.00 is accepted. There is no maximum donation.

Recognition
Donors can chose to be publicly recognized for their donation, or not. If they choose to be publicly recognized for their donation they will be listed on a web page or forum post with their forum name, and the total amount donated.This is a choice you will have to make, I will be happy to recognize any of my donors. (To be publicly recognized for your donation you must have, and be logged into the forum account when you make your donation. )

Subscribers
I am hoping for 1,000 to subscribe.  This will bring in $10,000 per month.

Future Plans
After covering operating costs, I want to pay for a new professional design for the site from the ground up. I also want to recruit some world renown gender professionals to come here to provide some guidance and services to members and supporters.  Anything over 1,000 subscribers would be simply amazing. After that we will continue to invest a portion of the profits back into providing more and more services for members and supporters. I don't expect this to happen in a year, if it does that would be awesome but I am patient. In the mean time I will keep paying the costs until the site is able to support its self.

I also need to reimburse my costs in supporting the site over the years.

Staff may also eventually receive a small stipend, starting with administrators and as we are able to the moderators and other staff. Don't plan on that any time soon however.

We may also offer username@members.susans.org email addresses to subscribers. If enough revenue is generated we will be looking at adding a slew of other members only benefits such as moderated chats with experts and personalities of interest to the transgender community, informative articles, tips, tutorials etc.

Another advantage of this will be that I will be able to dedicated more time to Susan's Place.

Thank you for your support!

I hope that many of you will choose to help do your part. Thanks for you time, support, and attention.

How to subscribe or donate
To make a donation visit our donations page (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=treasury) (To be publicly recognized for your donation you must have, and be logged into a forum account when you make your donation. )

To Subscribe you must be logged in on a forum account, then visit https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=profile;area=subscriptions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=profile;area=subscriptions)

How to cancel a subscription
To stop a subscription you go to your paypal account, click history at the top of the page. Locate the subscription to this site on that page, and click details. Then click the cancel subscription button. When your current subscription runs out, it will not be renewed.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Donna Elvira on July 23, 2013, 12:02:21 AM
Hi Susan,
No issue with the principle which is very understandable and the approach seems clear. The only information that seems to be lacking in your presentation is how a subscription is stopped. Do you simply uncheck the "make this a recurring payment" case on the subscription form?
Also, thank you for bringing this place into existance and making it such a vibrant and well managed forum!
Warm regards.
Donna
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 23, 2013, 12:17:00 AM
To stop a subscription you go to your profile page on this site and visit actions at the top of your profile, and click on paid subscriptions. You can unsubscribe there. When your subscription runs out it will not be renewed.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 23, 2013, 12:36:37 AM
I am not saying that won't ever happen, but if it does subscribers will be able to choose to disable ads.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Pia Bianca on July 23, 2013, 01:30:11 AM
Quote from: Susan on July 22, 2013, 11:00:53 PM
For those who are still in the closet I have come up with a way to so that the subscription or donation can be identified as a reoccurring donation to a non-transgender foundation, so if you need to explain the charge.  This will be explained in the Supporter News forum you gain access to as a donor or subscriber.

Isn't it very counterproductive to have the information on hidden payments in the forum wich is gained access by giving a payment? How to do the first payment?

On the other hand, explaining it in a public forum would spread the news through google and other search engines.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 23, 2013, 01:54:02 AM
Quote from: PiaBianca on July 23, 2013, 01:30:11 AM
Isn't it very counterproductive to have the information on hidden payments in the forum wich is gained access by giving a payment? How to do the first payment?

On the other hand, explaining it in a public forum would spread the news through google and other search engines.

The information in the hidden forum explains how to account for the donation if you are asked by someone who does not yet know you are transgender; a wife, parent, etc.

The information on how to is in the original message.

QuoteHow to subscribe or donate
To make a donation you must be logged in on a forum account. Once logged in visit our donations page (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=treasury)

To Subscribe visit https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=profile;area=subscriptions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=profile;area=subscriptions)

How to cancel a subscription
To stop a subscription you go to your profile page on this site and visit actions at the top of your profile, and click on paid subscriptions. You can unsubscribe there. When your subscription runs out it will not be renewed.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Pia Bianca on July 23, 2013, 03:05:44 AM
Quote from: Susan on July 23, 2013, 01:54:02 AM
The information in the hidden forum explains how to account for the donation if you are asked by someone who does not yet know you are transgender; a wife, parent, etc.

The information on how to is in the original message.

Ah! Now I got it. The payment is the same but there is a different explanation. That makes sense.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: LordKAT on July 23, 2013, 03:09:56 AM
Is there anyway to set up a subscription without paypal?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Joelene9 on July 23, 2013, 04:40:27 AM
Susan,

  You got my support!  Donation made. 

  Joelene
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Cindy on July 23, 2013, 04:52:04 AM
Good on ya!
Title: Helping Susan (twas buried rather deep Susan)
Post by: Lesley_Roberta on July 23, 2013, 07:29:00 AM
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,145185.0.html (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,145185.0.html)

I logged in today, and found the ole Just for Us was just gone.

No explanation in announcements that I could find without a lot of digging.

I like the reorganization, but I rarely dislike it when a forum is trying to improve.

But Susan, you need to get out a thread titled more in your face obvious, as  lot of us are likely wondering 'where did my section go?' and the only reason I am currently aware of the link, and the specific request for Just For Us is becoming subscriber only and requiring a donation, is I am inherently a scrounge at heart.

I by the way, am likely going to be offer up the support, so you are on your way to getting +1, my pay pal is currently in need of some funds, or I would have already started.

I have in the past, growled, and complained and bitched and chewed about a lot of things, but, I can also be called the sort of person willing to put her money where her mouth is :)

The site is indeed worth some help from me, regardless of what I have said while pissed off in the past.

But you probably should have been a little louder about the changes in a more visible link.

Just saying it here so those that might not be quite the digger that I am can find their way to the link.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Antonia J on July 23, 2013, 07:46:42 AM
Is there a way I can just pay a lump sum via credit card for a year?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Devlyn on July 23, 2013, 08:53:11 AM
I just subscribed! Glad to be able to help. Hugs, Devlyn
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: HelenW on July 23, 2013, 09:57:27 AM
I'm pleased that Susan will finally be reimbursed for the expenses she has incurred making this one of the best TG support sites in the English speaking world.  Brava!

I think we should get a lot more than 1,000 subscribers, though.  The site is definitely worth it as it is and as more subscribers sign up the more we'll be able to add features and benefits.

Congrats on the milestone, Susan!  Wishing you success and continued prosperity!

hugs & smiles
Emelye
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: ZoeM on July 23, 2013, 10:39:28 AM
PayPal's saying this feature is only available to business and premier accounts. :(


I can't sign up - not sure why.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Devlyn on July 23, 2013, 10:44:28 AM
I had that, too, unselect the recurring payment option and it will go through.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Joe. on July 23, 2013, 10:54:49 AM
I think this is a good idea. This website is amazing and Susan deserves something back. However I am a bit concerned about a couple of things. How likely is it that other areas of the sites will become subscriber only? I'm really low on income and can't afford to subscribe and get the just for us section. I'm going to be pretty poor for the next 3 years because I'm a student and I'm worried I won't be able to access the site anymore. I'd love to subscribe, I just don't have the money. The moment I get a stable job I will be subscribing right away. I like the idea of paying a lump sum for the year, is that going to be possible?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Ltl89 on July 23, 2013, 01:11:16 PM
I wish I was in the position to donate something, but I currently have no means to do so.  However, once or if I ever get into good financial shape, I would be willing to give what I can to help expand this site.  I have found this to be a great resource and hope it will continue to helpful for others who are need of the support.  I can't overstate my appreciation for everything you have done.

I do, however, have a question about the subscriber option.  It seems that at this current point the only benefit to becoming a subscriber is gaining access to the "just for us" forum.  If that is the case, I think the $10-20 rate will be a little higher than what most would be willing to spend.  Don't get me wrong; this is a great site and hope for this to be successful, but it's a steep price for premium service that is limited in it's benefits.  Subscriptions are generally different from donations in that they provide the subscriber some perk or additional features for doing so.  I think many of the casual or less wealthy forum members may find it too costly to pay $10 a month for one subforum.  Most who subscribe at this point are likely doing so because they want to help and have the means to do so.  That's great.  However, if you want to expand it and have a large body of subscribers in the future, you will likely need to make the subscription option more attractive for casual users before they may be willing to spend that kind of a monthly fee.  It seems like you have plans to do so, but the initial post was a little vague and there was no real guarantee about what will be added for subscribers; therefore, I'm a bit concerned about whether this will be the successful venture you are hoping for.

Nonetheless, I really hope this works out.  This is a great resource and I think the expansion of this site could accomplish great things.  I just wanted to give some feedback because I want it to be successful.  Therefore, please understand my constructive criticism on the current subscriber model (or what I interpreted it to be) comes only with the goal of helping you realize your future vision of the site.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 23, 2013, 01:14:45 PM
Quote from: Joey. on July 23, 2013, 10:54:49 AM
I think this is a good idea. This website is amazing and Susan deserves something back. However I am a bit concerned about a couple of things. How likely is it that other areas of the sites will become subscriber only? I'm really low on income and can't afford to subscribe and get the just for us section. I'm going to be pretty poor for the next 3 years because I'm a student and I'm worried I won't be able to access the site anymore. I'd love to subscribe, I just don't have the money. The moment I get a stable job I will be subscribing right away. I like the idea of paying a lump sum for the year, is that going to be possible?

None of the currently public areas other than the Just for Us forum will ever become subscriber only. I am going to be adding some new features to the site, and some of them will give subscribers early access. One of the neatest things I have in mind is the equivalent of a web based transgender magazine with news, features, etc. Subscribers will gain access to its content 6 months before it is made publicly available. I would like to have enough coming in through donations to be able to give a small payment to thank the creators of the content for that.

All that will come sometime after the redesign of the site which is the first and most important project. We are running a 1996 look, and we need to fix that.

If you don't have the money to subscribe or donate, consider volunteering on the site. While we won't make a job out of thin air for you, there are areas of the site that need help. check the announcements forum for more information!

Quote from: learningtolive on July 23, 2013, 01:11:16 PM
I do, however, have a question about the subscriber option.  It seems that at this current point the only benefit to becoming a subscriber is gaining access to the "just for us" forum.  If that is the case, I think the $10-20 rate will be a little higher than what most would be willing to spend.  Don't get me wrong; this is a great site and hope for this to be successful, but it's a steep price for premium service that is limited in it's benefits.

As you can see from what I wrote Joey, the just for us forum is just a start. Give us some time. Consider your subscription to be a investment in the future of Susan's Place! It will eventually pay dividends.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Jamie D on July 23, 2013, 01:20:29 PM
I am reasonably sure there will be other ways, in the future, to make donations.

It is a worthwhile cause.  We will get the kinks worked out in time.

Thank you all for helping make the world a better place.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Ltl89 on July 23, 2013, 01:31:17 PM
Quote from: Susan on July 23, 2013, 01:14:45 PM
None of the currently public areas other than the Just for Us forum will ever become subscriber only. I am going to be adding some new features to the site, and some of them will give subscribers early access. One of the neatest things I have in mind is the equivalent of a web based transgender magazine with news, features, etc. Subscribers will gain access to its content 6 months before it is made publicly available. I would like to have enough coming in through donations to be able to give a small payment to thank the creators of the content for that.

All that will come sometime after the redesign of the site which is the first and most important project. We are running a 1996 look, and we need to fix that.

If you don't have the money to subscribe or donate, consider volunteering on the site. While we won't make a job out of thin air for you, there are areas of the site that need help. check the announcements forum for more information!

As you can see from what I wrote Joey, the just for us forum is just a start. Give us some time. Consider your subscription to be a investment in the future of Susan's Place! It will eventually pay dividends.

Okay, that sounds like a good idea.  I just want it to work out for you.  This sounds like a good plan to pick up the subscribers.

On the volunteer note, if you ever need something or the site is lacking in one area, I'd be willing to do what I can for this site as it has been a tremendous aid to me.  This is probably the only way I could help you at this current point as I am broke, probably losing my home, have medical expenses to pay and am trying to get into grad school.  However, if I ever have any form of disposable income, I would be willing to make a donation because I'd love to give back to this site after all the support it has extended to me.  In the meantime, I have to apologize for the fact that I am unable to monetarily contribute as I have no means of doing so.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 23, 2013, 01:56:20 PM
Some people were unable to access donations most notably staff members, this has been fixed!
Title: Re: Helping Susan (twas buried rather deep Susan)
Post by: DriftingCrow on July 23, 2013, 09:07:51 PM
Does Susan's Place have tax-exempt or non-profit status with the IRS?
Title: Re: Helping Susan (twas buried rather deep Susan)
Post by: Susan on July 23, 2013, 09:38:17 PM
Quote from: Lesley_Roberta on July 23, 2013, 07:29:00 AM
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,145185.0.html (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,145185.0.html)

I logged in today, and found the ole Just for Us was just gone.

No explanation in announcements that I could find without a lot of digging.

I like the reorganization, but I rarely dislike it when a forum is trying to improve.

But Susan, you need to get out a thread titled more in your face obvious, as  lot of us are likely wondering 'where did my section go?' and the only reason I am currently aware of the link, and the specific request for Just For Us is becoming subscriber only and requiring a donation, is I am inherently a scrounge at heart.

I by the way, am likely going to be offer up the support, so you are on your way to getting +1, my pay pal is currently in need of some funds, or I would have already started.

I have in the past, growled, and complained and bitched and chewed about a lot of things, but, I can also be called the sort of person willing to put her money where her mouth is :)

The site is indeed worth some help from me, regardless of what I have said while pissed off in the past.

But you probably should have been a little louder about the changes in a more visible link.

Just saying it here so those that might not be quite the digger that I am can find their way to the link.

I first posted about all this in July 2012, I waited a year before implementing the subscription system.

Quote from: Susan on July 10, 2012, 03:45:08 PM
You may have noticed how slow the site has been in recent months. That is because the site had grown to the point where it was maxing out its internet connection. With much needed financial help from Cindy James we have made some changes which will improve the web sites performance massively. We are now running on a 10mbps fiber optic connection, which is 6.66x faster than our previous connection. We are also working on getting that bumped up to 30mpbs.  Over the next few weeks Susan's will be migrated onto a pair of servers purchased with Cindy's help which will be able to handle as much traffic as we can throw at it.

Why didn't I do it sooner? Well, I simply could not have done this on my own. Hosting costs will be rising from $400 per month to nearly $700, and my finances have been at the maxed out point for several years as I have single-handedly financed the operations of Susan's Place since 1996 with out any outside support.  I have done this using income from my job, help from my boss, and of course maxing out some really good credit cards. In that time I figure that I have spent roughly $162,000 myself over the last 16 years and that is not counting the roughly $50,000 in hosting expenses my current boss has contributed to the operation of the site, and we eventually need to get some of that back.  The figure includes my time, hardware, software, server maintenance costs, and bandwidth. That price will continue to go up some as we make these much needed changes.

In the last year this site has served 1,826,279 Visits from 993,940 Visitors accounting for 11,629,347 page views. Since I started keeping stats using Google analytics in November 2006, we had 6,813,864 visits from 3,689,398 visitors accounting for 45,176,104 page views.  Between 1996 until now I have had several hundred people spontaneously contact me to tell me how this web site has saved their lives, so we are doing good works; and I want to continue to do so.

I have thought long and hard how to spread the costs of providing lifesaving peer support for the Transgender Community, here is what I have come up with.

First off everything that is freely available to you today on this web site, will remain free with one exception.

We are going to allow people who wish to help with the monthly costs to do so by establishing a monthly subscription option for $4.95 per month for those who want to help support the site. I much prefer this option over adding advertising. I am working on a way to make it so the subscription can be handled as a reoccurring donation to a non-transgender foundation, so if you need to explain it to a spouse or whatever about the charge.  I am hoping for 2,000 to subscribe.  This will bring in $9,990 per month. After covering operating costs, I want to pay for a new professional design for the site from the ground up, and hopefully be able to pay some of the world renown gender professionals to come here to provide some guidance and services to members and supporters.  Anything over 2,000 subscribers would be simply amazing. After that we will continue to invest a major portion of the profits back into providing more and more services for members and supporters. I don't expect this to happen in a year, if it does that would be awesome but I am patient. In the mean time I will keep paying the costs until the site is able to support its self.

After that I will receive a paycheck to help recoup some of my expenditures.  I also need to reimburse my boss for his costs in supporting the site over the years as well.   

Staff may also eventually receive a small stipend, starting with administrators and as we are able to the moderators and other staff. Don't plan on that any time soon however.

The private Just for us forums are going to become subscriber only. We may also offer username@members.susans.org email addresses to subscribers. If enough revenue is generated we will be looking at adding a slew of other members only benefits such as moderated chats with experts and personalities of interest to the transgender community, informative articles, tips, tutorials etc.

Another advantage of this will be that I will be able to dedicated more time to Susan's Place.

I hope that many of you will choose to help do your part. Thanks for you time, support, and attention.  Your feedback is welcome.

No the site does not have tax exempt status and so neither donations or subscriptions are tax exempt. That may eventually happen at some point in the future but that's somewhere down the road.
Title: Re: Helping Susan (twas buried rather deep Susan)
Post by: DriftingCrow on July 23, 2013, 10:15:00 PM
Quote from: Susan on July 23, 2013, 09:38:17 PM
No the site does not have tax exempt status and so neither donations or subscriptions are tax exempt. That may eventually happen at some point in the future but that's somewhere down the road.

Is it set up as a corporation or a single-member LLC or other form of partnership if you have others involved? Just curious now.  :) The tax-exempt applications aren't too difficult to do, but they're time consuming and can take up to a year before the IRS actually looks at the applications.

I had no idea it cost so much to run the website, thanks for making us aware of all you've sacrificed Susan.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Lesley_Roberta on July 23, 2013, 11:34:58 PM
Talk is cheap, forums though cost money.

Donated 5 bucks, I won't miss it, but I think the forum would be.

I understand that Just for Us needs a subscription, and I can live with that. I don't require the special section to be 'worth' 10 bucks to be sufficient reason to subscribe, I recognize there has to be something special, but the whole point is Susan isn't swimming in cash.

I'd likely be ok with a 10 dollar subscription, but, unfortunately for Susan, I spent July beating the crap out of my spending money :) Too many models, and too much jewellery from Avon and then I went and decided to buy some clothing before talking with a local cis female friend that likely could have saved me a lot of cash first. I likely will be spending most of the next few months clearing my credit card (a person needs to clean up their own backyard before they can go fiddling with someone else's eh :) ).

I likely will be able to do the subscribe thing soon enough, I manage the family finances and that means I likely can find a lousy 10 bucks.
But I need to wait till Aug 01 before I can get money before I can fill up my paypal before I can go spending it on anything, good causes included.

But I donated to at least put my foot in and help out. 5 bucks a few 1000 times wouldn't hurt eh.
Title: Re: Helping Susan (twas buried rather deep Susan)
Post by: Susan on July 23, 2013, 11:38:21 PM
Quote from: LearnedHand on July 23, 2013, 10:15:00 PM
Is it set up as a corporation or a single-member LLC or other form of partnership if you have others involved? Just curious now.  :) The tax-exempt applications aren't too difficult to do, but they're time consuming and can take up to a year before the IRS actually looks at the applications.

I am sole owner of Susan's Place.

This isn't your average web site.  We have 6 administrators, 32 staff members, and 6,739 users who have all been active in the last year. (I did a prune today). Well over 5 million unique visitors have visited the site. We have over 1,000,000 posts on the forums. Most websites won't do 1,000,000 views in their entire lifetime. We have been in continuous operations since late 1995.

Until I am able to recoup some of the significant investment I have put in the site I won't consider going non-profit.  I want to get my transition going again! It's been stalled for far too long! Even before then you will see positive changes happening to the site. First and foremost will be a total redesign from top to bottom!
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Shantel on July 24, 2013, 09:41:49 AM
Good plan Susan. I'm on a fixed disability income and not exactly rolling in dough, but plan to be a monthly subscriber in spite of it. I've had nothing but joy being a participant here at Susan's over the years, payback time is long overdue. Thanks for all you have accomplished for the sake of others! ~Shan~
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 24, 2013, 02:19:56 PM
I upgraded the paypal account to premium, which means you can pay with any credit card without needing to be a paypal member, you can also chose to set your subscription or donation as a  reoccurring transaction.

How to subscribe or donate
To make a donation you must be logged in on a forum account. Once logged in visit our donations page (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=treasury)

To Subscribe visit https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=profile;area=subscriptions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=profile;area=subscriptions)

How to cancel a subscription
To stop a subscription you go to your profile page on this site and visit actions at the top of your profile, and click on paid subscriptions. You can unsubscribe there. When your subscription runs out it will not be renewed.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Sarah Louise on July 24, 2013, 02:24:16 PM
Thank you, that helps.

It works!
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Antonia J on July 24, 2013, 02:38:09 PM
Thanks Susan.  If I make a 120 donation, to avoid recurring charges, could I still have access to just for us?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 24, 2013, 03:08:12 PM
Quote from: Antonia J on July 24, 2013, 02:38:09 PM
Thanks Susan.  If I make a 120 donation, to avoid recurring charges, could I still have access to just for us?

I have added yearly subscription options though I prefer monthly as that is easier to budget for both you and me.  When you subscribe you decide if a subscription is reoccurring or a one time thing.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Sarah Louise on July 24, 2013, 03:12:34 PM
I didn't see the option (Monthly or One Time) when I paid with a credit card.

Although I did click on Donation, maybe that is why.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 24, 2013, 03:17:52 PM
It's not a one time subscription, but people can chose to automatically renew, or have to manually renew.

For subscriptions we have options to pay for it one month at a time or you can chose to pay a year at a time.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Lo on July 24, 2013, 06:46:33 PM
I know how hard forums are to maintain and how expensive they can get.

Consider me a subscriber :]
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 24, 2013, 07:42:45 PM
Thank you Lo! :) Added you to my buddies!
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: bethany on July 24, 2013, 07:48:01 PM
Susan I plan on donating as soon as my check comes in at the begining of the month. If I can afford to subscribe I will.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Sandy on July 24, 2013, 08:36:30 PM
Hell!  I can't let everyone else have all the fun!

I'm in for as long as I'm able.

-Sandy
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 24, 2013, 09:12:40 PM
Quote from: Sandy on July 24, 2013, 08:36:30 PM
Hell!  I can't let everyone else have all the fun!

I'm in for as long as I'm able.

Thank you Sandy! :)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: justpat on July 24, 2013, 09:26:56 PM
  Hi Susan,
  When doing a yearly subscription can I pay with a regular credit card ? I don't use Paypal.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 24, 2013, 09:51:16 PM
Quote from: buddy on July 24, 2013, 09:26:56 PM
  Hi Susan,
  When doing a yearly subscription can I pay with a regular credit card ? I don't use Paypal.

You are supposed to be able to pay using a card without a paypal account.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/mer/WAX_landing-outside (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/mer/WAX_landing-outside)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: LordKAT on July 25, 2013, 03:13:05 AM
You can now. I just did. I will be doing yearly soon however, just the way my money goes.  Thanks for making it able to take a payment without a paypal account as paypal won't recognize me as the person who set up my account with my old name. They refuse to acknowledge that I am the same person just with a different name.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Asfsd4214 on July 25, 2013, 06:59:15 AM
Is there somewhere for me to find out the difference between silver and gold subscriptions?

One other thing, isn't there a danger that making just for us subscription only might cause activity on that forum to significantly reduce and show up on one of the other free general boards?

EDIT: Actually there's one other concern I have, I've thought a bit about how to say this and initially didn't want to because I don't want it to come off as selfish or implying that this hasn't been thought out properly. I consider myself a capitalist and I honestly want this plan to work, but I'm slightly concerned that the price of 10-20$ for one subforum might result in less of a net profit than if it had been priced lower and so had people more likely to pay it.

Again please only see this as a constructive question rather than any kind of criticism. Like I said, I want this to work to the best of its potential.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Jamie D on July 25, 2013, 07:04:20 AM
Silver is US$ 10 per month; gold is US$20.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Asfsd4214 on July 25, 2013, 07:09:10 AM
Quote from: Jamie D on July 25, 2013, 07:04:20 AM
Silver is US$ 10 per month; gold is US$20.

I meant more if there was any difference in terms of forum features or differences planned, like is Just For Us apart of Gold only or both? Maybe I just misunderstood the original post.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 25, 2013, 07:56:56 AM
Silver and gold has no differerences planned. It's your personal choice to help more or less is the only difference. I originally planned one subscription level but multiple users asked about being able to help more. So I added 2 levels to cater to them.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 25, 2013, 08:03:53 AM
Quote from: Asfsd4214 on July 25, 2013, 06:59:15 AM
One other thing, isn't there a danger that making just for us subscription only might cause activity on that forum to significantly reduce and show up on one of the other free general boards?

There is no plans to stop with having only the just for us forum. We are going to be adding other new services, but they will be that new services. Just for us is the only existing service that was going to be included and that is intended as a starting point only.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Asfsd4214 on July 25, 2013, 08:05:33 AM
Quote from: Susan on July 25, 2013, 07:56:56 AM
Silver and gold has no differerences planned. It's your personal choice to help more or less is the only difference. I originally planned one subscription level but multiple users asked about being able to help more. So I added 2 levels to cater to them.

Thank you for the clarification.   :)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Jamiep on July 25, 2013, 09:42:06 AM
I just used pay pal for and noted subscription one time payment for a year (I missed the section to order at various levels). Susan, you and your boss deserve to be reimbursed for all the money you have put into this Brilliant, informative, supportive & life saving resource. Also making some wonderful friendships here. Being a senior on limited income, I have contributed what I can so that we can keep this site going into the future.
Cheers & love.
Jamiep

P. S. Having paid in as a subscriber, when will the "Just For Us," be available? When I was setting up a pay pal account, in the procedure I saw a Donation progress scale. Is that available anywhere in the forum, if not, can it be made available?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: D0LL on July 25, 2013, 10:37:43 AM
Thank you Susan for handling this website single-handedly for so long. Your hard work is definitely appreciated, and I hope that you can get a good amount of donations coming in now. You deserve it for all your hard work. I don't think any of us here would be upset if you need to start showing ads for those of us without subscriptions.
Title: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 25, 2013, 10:41:15 AM
Quote from: Jamiep on July 25, 2013, 09:42:06 AM
I just used pay pal for and noted subscription one time payment for a year (I missed the section to order at various levels). Susan, you and your boss deserve to be reimbursed for all the money you have put into this Brilliant, informative, supportive & life saving resource. Also making some wonderful friendships here. Being a senior on limited income, I have contributed what I can so that we can keep this site going into the future.
Cheers & love.
Jamiep

P. S. Having paid in as a subscriber, when will the "Just For Us," be available? When I was setting up a pay pal account, in the procedure I saw a Donation progress scale. Is that available anywhere in the forum, if not, can it be made available?
You donated instead of subscribing, I will transfer it over when I get back home.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Jamiep on July 25, 2013, 11:59:39 AM
Susan, sorry about that, I found the various levels after I made my payment. Appreciate your efforts in switching this for me, good thing  I posted my info. Thank you.
Hugs
Jamiep
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 25, 2013, 01:05:40 PM
You ended up with a 30$ donation and a Silver subscription for a year.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Jamiep on July 25, 2013, 03:36:13 PM
Susan, I wondered if you may be able to do that on your end. Hope I didn't create too much work for you. Thank you for your kind assistance.
Best wishes on achieving your goals.
Jamiep
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: DriftingCrow on July 25, 2013, 04:06:46 PM
I thought the "Just for Us" was for subscribers only. I didn't subscribe, only donated, and yet I was able to go into Just For Us today. Did the policy change?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 25, 2013, 11:14:03 PM
Staff are given subscriber access at no charge for volunteering their time to serve the members of this site. You can still subscribe or donate if you like, but it is not required.

Someone who for whatever reason can't subscribe, then you can consider volunteering your time as well! We need Wiki Staff, Links Staff, and News Staff.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Nygeel on July 26, 2013, 12:36:13 AM
Quote from: Susan on July 23, 2013, 01:14:45 PM

All that will come sometime after the redesign of the site which is the first and most important project. We are running a 1996 look, and we need to fix that.
I thought that was just the style of every trans related forum.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Joe. on July 26, 2013, 09:28:36 PM
I just had a thought. As the sexuality board was in the just for us section, does that mean that is no longer available to non subscribers? If so, where would I post a question regarding anything of a sexual nature, or does it mean I just can't anymore?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 26, 2013, 09:30:13 PM
Sorry, yes the sexuality is just for us which is subscriber only. I can't answer your question without it first. you can pm and I can offer recommendations.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Joe. on July 26, 2013, 09:32:51 PM
That's alright, thank you. Oh no sorry I didn't have a question in mind, it was just so I knew for the future if I did have any questions. Thank you though  ;D
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: bethany on July 28, 2013, 06:41:39 PM
Susan, I wish that there was something other than paypal that we could use in order to make the donations. With paypal you are losing roughly $0.10 for every dollar donated. So if someone donated $50 you are only seeing about $45 out of that. And that will add up to a lot of lost revenue.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Joe. on July 28, 2013, 06:45:18 PM
I thought I read somewhere you can donate via debit/credit card instead of PayPal? Is this still possible? Maybe I dreamt it haha.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: bethany on July 28, 2013, 06:49:06 PM
From what I saw all donations go through paypal and they take their cut. Out of all the donations that are shown in the donations page over $45 went to paypal and not to Susan. I rather Susan get the money over paypal.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: DriftingCrow on July 28, 2013, 06:59:20 PM
Quote from: Susan on July 24, 2013, 09:51:16 PM
You are supposed to be able to pay using a card without a paypal account.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/mer/WAX_landing-outside (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/mer/WAX_landing-outside)

Susan posted this a few days ago (emphasis added)

Here's part of the link Susan provided:

QuoteFor new buyers, signing up for a PayPal account is now optional. This means your customers can complete their payments first, and then decide whether to save their information in a PayPal account for future purchases. The checkout is more convenient, resulting in more completed sales and satisfied customers.

Best of all, this upgrade requires no action on your part. The checkout automatically applies to Website Payment tools like Buy Now Buttons, Donations, and PayPal Shopping Cart, as well as our Request Money and PayPal Invoicing features.

Here's how this easier checkout works:
1.Customers enter their name and shipping address.
2.They're prompted for their credit card, email address, and phone number.
3.(Optional) After reviewing their information, they may choose to save their information by creating a PayPal account to make future transactions faster.
Please note that PayPal's fraud prevention measures remain in effect for buyers who use this checkout. PayPal applies the same techniques for this checkout as it does for other transactions.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Joe. on July 28, 2013, 07:02:56 PM
Ah excellent, that's what I was hoping. Thanks for reiterating.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: bethany on July 28, 2013, 07:05:09 PM
Ok I just looked at the paypal site. The fees are being taken out on Susans end not ours. She has to pay a 2.9% + .30 per transaction. 

see here. https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees (https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 28, 2013, 09:26:15 PM
And I get a cheaper rate soon, they already called me on it.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: bethany on July 28, 2013, 09:52:11 PM
Quote from: Susan on July 28, 2013, 09:26:15 PM
And I get a cheaper rate soon, they already called me on it.

Awesome I want you to get every penny that you can. I would rather pay for a stamp  and mail you a check than to give paypal another cent. they should just charge the 2.9% or the $0.30 but not both.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Taka on July 30, 2013, 08:28:20 AM
yep, i'm subscribing as well. now i have to start making sure i always have that much money on my card...

just a suggestion for you, susan:
can't you think about making a somewhat symbolic subscription of like, $2. for those poor souls who really want to contribute but don't really have the financial freedom to plan having those $10 left every month? it's almost nothing, but gives about as much as clicking a few ads would. i also feel a bit sorry for those who can't afford to get into the just for us forums. i'm pretty sure that anyone who can afford it, and wants to donate, would still choose one of the higher sums for their subscription, this would only make it easier for more people to subscribe.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Cindy on July 30, 2013, 08:42:13 AM
Quote from: Taka on July 30, 2013, 08:28:20 AM
yep, i'm subscribing as well. now i have to start making sure i always have that much money on my card...

just a suggestion for you, susan:
can't you think about making a somewhat symbolic subscription of like, $2. for those poor souls who really want to contribute but don't really have the financial freedom to plan having those $10 left every month? it's almost nothing, but gives about as much as clicking a few ads would. i also feel a bit sorry for those who can't afford to get into the just for us forums. i'm pretty sure that anyone who can afford it, and wants to donate, would still choose one of the higher sums for their subscription, this would only make it easier for more people to subscribe.

Hi Hon,

Have a read of this thread.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,145604.0.html (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,145604.0.html)

Hugs C

Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Amelia Pond on July 30, 2013, 09:09:51 AM
Quote from: Cindy on July 30, 2013, 08:42:13 AM
Hi Hon,

Have a read of this thread.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,145604.0.html (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,145604.0.html)

Hugs C

Yes Cindy, we all know how absolutely awesome you are. No need to flaunt it. ;)

Seriously, that is really awesome of you to do that for those who can't afford to help. :)

Amy
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Renee on July 30, 2013, 09:15:10 AM
When I am able to subscribe, probably next week after I get paid, is there anyway to opt out of the badges that label you as such? 

Cause really, I don't need no stinkin' badges.... ;D
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Amelia Pond on July 30, 2013, 09:17:03 AM
Quote from: Ralph on July 30, 2013, 09:15:10 AM
When I am able to subscribe, probably next week after I get paid, is there anyway to opt out of the badges that label you as such? 

Cause really, I don't need no stinkin' badges.... ;D

I know what you mean but no, it sticks itself there and stays. I don't see a way to change it in Group Membership.

Amy
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 30, 2013, 11:06:58 AM
Quote from: Taka on July 30, 2013, 08:28:20 AM
Just a suggestion for you, susan: can't you think about making a somewhat symbolic subscription of like, $2. for those poor souls who really want to contribute but don't really have the financial freedom to plan having those $10 left every month

Taka I posted a response on a staff thread, I will share it here as well.

We have options for people who cannot donate or subscribe.
Quote from: Susan on July 30, 2013, 11:04:09 AM
We have ways for people who cannot donate to still get access to the benefits including one of the many badges. They can pm Cindy and ask her to consider them for one of her 100 membership scholarships. They can also volunteer to serve on the site staff.

As for the token donations they already exist. You can specify an amount, and while the recommended minimum is $5.00, you can donate as low as $1.00. I will reject anything lower as it would only benefits paypal.

Quote from: Susan on July 30, 2013, 11:04:09 AMThere is also the fact that currently Donations do not expire so someone can donate $1.00 and they get a donor badge for at least a year.

The badges mean nothing more than whatever you assign to them.  This is all that matters:

Quote from: Susan on July 30, 2013, 11:04:09 AM
Last but not least, no one on this site should look down at people who are unable to subscribe or donate, and If I catch anyone doing so I will kick their ass be they staff, donator, or subscriber.

I don't cuss often so when I do, you can be damn sure I mean it.

Everyone who registers on this site gets the only badge that ever really matters even if they never donate or subscribe, that is as a member.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Tessa James on August 01, 2013, 01:55:39 PM
I am now a silver subscriber.  How do I put that neat banner on my profile?

Tj
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: E-Brennan on August 03, 2013, 03:24:08 PM
From a privacy perspective, what does a donation to this site look like on a Paypal statement?  Does it reference Susan's Place, or does it show up as some kind of generic donation?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on August 03, 2013, 10:38:05 PM
Quote from: Michele on August 03, 2013, 03:24:08 PM
From a privacy perspective, what does a donation to this site look like on a Paypal statement?  Does it reference Susan's Place, or does it show up as some kind of generic donation?

It doesn't name the site, nor does it say transgender  that's all I can say in a public forum. *looks at the search engines* In the subscriber news forum you get access to once you donate, I tell you exactly what that is, along with a plausible explanation to use if you are still in the closet.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: E-Brennan on August 04, 2013, 07:35:38 AM
Thanks Susan. Donation sent.

Cheapest therapy ever.   :)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Joe. on August 04, 2013, 05:27:16 PM
I'm about to subscribe, but I'm wary that I may not have that much in my bank account every month. Is it the same date every month that my card will be charged? Also, can I subscribe for just one month at a time, so say like I subscribe this month but don't have the money next month can I stop being a subscriber for 1 month then become a subscriber again? I hope this makes sense
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on August 04, 2013, 05:40:06 PM
You can make month by month payments. You do not have to have it automatically draft. You will receive a notification a few days before it expires that it's time to renew. You then chose when and if to renew for the next month. To subscribe for one month only; uncheck the Make this a recurring payment box at the bottom after you click order.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Joe. on August 04, 2013, 06:11:13 PM
Thank you. I just subscribed and I think I have all of the features I'm supposed to and the money has come out of my bank but I haven't got a badge on my profile. The badge isn't important I just wanted to make sure I've done it correctly.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on August 04, 2013, 08:08:59 PM
You are all set! :)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Devlyn on August 04, 2013, 08:12:29 PM
Joey's got a steenking badge now!
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Shantel on August 05, 2013, 10:37:50 AM
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on August 04, 2013, 08:12:29 PM
Joey's got a steenking badge now!

Way yo go Joey, proof that the squeeky wheel gets the grease!  ;D
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Taka on August 05, 2013, 04:36:22 PM
Quote from: Michele on August 04, 2013, 07:35:38 AM
Cheapest therapy ever.   :)
that's true. this service doesn't have a money back guarantee, just a little "pay if you feel like it".
getting so much for free, i kinda feel like paying for it. still ridiculously cheap, this silver subscription. this is one of two sites that have helped me get through some bad stuff and figure out things i didn't know were that much of a problem when still not figured out. the other site isn't one i can donate to though.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: JillSter on August 17, 2013, 11:57:19 PM
I figure between all the time that I lurked, the warm (and patient) reception I got when I posted an introduction that literally said "no introduction" ::), and the fact that I've learn so much from all the people here (not to mention every time I start freaking out or getting depressed coming here quiets my mind) it's time I give something back.

Subscribed. :)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Cindy on August 18, 2013, 01:25:57 AM
Quote from: Jillian on August 17, 2013, 11:57:19 PM
I figure between all the time that I lurked, the warm (and patient) reception I got when I posted an introduction that literally said "no introduction" ::), and the fact that I've learn so much from all the people here (not to mention every time I start freaking out or getting depressed coming here quiets my mind) it's time I give something back.

Subscribed. :)
\\

Thanks Jillian, very much appreciated.

Cindy
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Charley Bea(EmeraldP) on August 18, 2013, 02:10:50 PM
Okay I just sent a 10 dollars subscription payment.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on August 20, 2013, 08:11:27 AM
Thank you EmeraldPerpugilliam
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: JillSter on August 20, 2013, 01:43:46 PM
Do I need to change something in my settings to show the "silver subscriber" bar?

Thank you. :)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Karla on September 05, 2013, 10:58:47 PM
Done.  Subscribed.

A nobrainer... have been away, first thing that i did on my return.

Thanks, Susan !!!   I'll put into the kitty when able.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Exus on September 15, 2013, 05:26:16 PM
I wish I could donate or subscribe, at the moment I'm not able to because I'm barely getting enough to pay for my meds and therapy but once I'm in a better stance, I wouldn't mind helping this site.  ;D
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Jamie D on September 16, 2013, 02:26:49 AM
On behalf of the site, thank you Karla.

Matt, we appreciate your willingness to contribute when you can.  Until then, there are staff jobs that need to be filled. Interested?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Danielle Emmalee on September 16, 2013, 02:47:33 AM
Quote from: Audi Hose on September 16, 2013, 02:26:49 AM
On behalf of the site, thank you Karla.

Matt, we appreciate your willingness to contribute when you can.  Until then, there are staff jobs that need to be filled. Interested?

What staff jobs?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Cindy on September 16, 2013, 02:54:46 AM
Quote from: Alice Danielle on September 16, 2013, 02:47:33 AM
What staff jobs?

Quote from: Emelye on August 06, 2013, 02:41:59 PM
:) !

To volunteer just send a PM or email to the administrator who oversees the part of the site you are interested in helping with.

The chat staff is looking for people, particularly those on the male half of the binary and those who live in the Asian/Pacific timezones.  It helps if you are already a fairly regular user of the chat rooms.  Come on over and say Hi!  Thank you all for your willingness to help out!

hugs & smiles
Emelye

Alice ask any of the Admin of the various areas. Not all areas have positions open but I know Chat, News, Wiki tend to have openings a lot.

Look up the Admin on the Staff list and send a pm.

Hugs

Cindy
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Devlyn on September 16, 2013, 05:48:35 AM
Quote from: Alice Danielle on September 16, 2013, 02:47:33 AM
What staff jobs?

We need a professional BANNER, got any experience?    :laugh:
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Danielle Emmalee on September 16, 2013, 05:50:22 AM
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on September 16, 2013, 05:48:35 AM
We need a professional BANNER, got any experience?    :laugh:

I thought you would have pried the B key off of your keyboard by now
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Cindy on September 16, 2013, 05:52:04 AM
Quote from: Alice Danielle on September 16, 2013, 05:50:22 AM
I thought you would have pried the B key off of your keyboard by now

She has it Branded >:-)

Or will have!!! :laugh:
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Danielle Emmalee on September 16, 2013, 05:59:51 AM
How does one become a global moderator?  Do you have to have another position first?  Be here for a certain length of time?  Put your name in the hat and wait for someone else to retire?  I basically am on here enough that I've read almost every post made in the last month (besides posts specifically pointed towards FTMs, I feel I have nothing to gain or give from reading about STPs and Binders.)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Devlyn on September 16, 2013, 06:05:37 AM
Quote from: Alice Danielle on September 16, 2013, 05:59:51 AM
How does one become a global moderator?  Do you have to have another position first?  Be here for a certain length of time?  Put your name in the hat and wait for someone else to retire?  I basically am on here enough that I've read almost every post made in the last month (besides posts specifically pointed towards FTMs, I feel I have nothing to gain or give from reading about STPs and Binders.)

They slip something into your drink, and you wake up a GM! Actually, there's not much to it, you just need to be proficient in STPs and binders.  >:-)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Cindy on September 16, 2013, 06:21:15 AM
Quote from: Alice Danielle on September 16, 2013, 05:59:51 AM
How does one become a global moderator?  Do you have to have another position first?  Be here for a certain length of time?  Put your name in the hat and wait for someone else to retire?  I basically am on here enough that I've read almost every post made in the last month (besides posts specifically pointed towards FTMs, I feel I have nothing to gain or give from reading about STPs and Binders.)

GMs are chosen by FA with Susan. Generally we need to have a certain level of maturity, although that is sometimes in doubt! You need broad understanding of peoples issues and capable of communicating with a wide range of people. You also need to make some sort of personal commitment to the time you can spend here. It isn't any use having all the GMs in the USA when the site runs 24/7. So we need people in different time zones.

We need unblemished records, or show that we have overcome the problems we had. We have to be non-judgmental, but also judge!

It looks as if being a GM is a heap of fun, and it can be. Very few willingly walk away except for the one thing we have to face. Stress. It is a lot of work. It is emotional, it tears your heart out at times. We have very little room for error and we have to make decisions in the middle of the night when there is no one to ask advice. If we make the wrong one we sure hear about it from the members and from the Boss.

There are as far as I know no qualifying rules as such. There is a sort of limit on the numbers, there is no reason for too many, otherwise we get in each others way.

One thing I personally think is important is that you need to know yourself, you need to know your soul because you will see and read and hear things that will shake you to your core.

Pride is our enemy, compassion our weakness, love our strength.

It is a lot of fun, but it can hurt a lot.

You also have to be branded and put up with Devlyn and Jamie

Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Devlyn on September 16, 2013, 06:32:59 AM
Nice reply Cindy, much better than the standup routine I was preparing! In my case, I had never even thought about the job. I was going through my usual routine of introductions & hugs when I got a PM from Fitter Admin asking if I wanted to try moderating. That was a quick decision for me, I was a mod fifteen minutes later. Turns out they need fourteen minutes to heat up the branding iron!
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Sandy on September 17, 2013, 06:00:04 AM
Quote from: Cindy on September 16, 2013, 06:21:15 AM
...
You also have to be branded and put up with Devlyn and Jamie

Ooooohhhhhh!!!!!  I might do it just for that!  Can I pick the brand??

... sorry got carried away there...

-Sandy(imagining the possibilities)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Devlyn on September 17, 2013, 07:35:55 AM
Quote from: Sandy on September 17, 2013, 06:00:04 AM
Ooooohhhhhh!!!!!  I might do it just for that!  Can I pick the brand??

... sorry got carried away there...

-Sandy(imagining the possibilities)

Hmmmm, we're gonna need a bigger fire for that IMAGINING THE POSSIBILITIES branding iron!
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Shantel on September 17, 2013, 09:07:15 AM
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on September 17, 2013, 07:35:55 AM
Hmmmm, we're gonna need a bigger fire for that IMAGINING THE POSSIBILITIES branding iron!

How about "USDA Choice" for special cuts?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Sandy on September 18, 2013, 06:04:03 AM
Quote from: Shantel on September 17, 2013, 09:07:15 AM
How about "USDA Choice" for special cuts?

**giggle**
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Charley Bea(EmeraldP) on September 24, 2013, 08:35:10 AM
Just sent the subscription fee for this month.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Devlyn on September 27, 2013, 07:41:21 PM
Quote from: EmeraldPerpugilliam on September 24, 2013, 08:35:10 AM
Just sent the subscription fee for this month.

I just did mine.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Robin Mack on October 11, 2013, 02:24:57 PM
So... I subscribed.  :)  It's well worth it, to me, and I hope my $10/month helps. 

Now... how do I get that subscriber bar to show up, so i can start quietly shaming others into subscribing too?  :)

Hugs and love to all!

-Robin
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Sephirah on October 11, 2013, 02:29:34 PM
Quote from: robinmack on October 11, 2013, 02:24:57 PM
So... I subscribed.  :)  It's well worth it, to me, and I hope my $10/month helps. 

Now... how do I get that subscriber bar to show up, so i can start quietly shaming others into subscribing too?  :)

Hugs and love to all!

-Robin

'Tis done. :)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Robin Mack on October 11, 2013, 02:58:50 PM
Thank you, Sephira! :)  That was quick!
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: lexi on October 20, 2013, 04:02:17 AM
hi susan ,
            my name is lexis & im new to your site . id love to contribute but at this time im on ssd with no job & thats not even enough to get by on . i hope i may be able to contribute on my next due date in nov. .
i filled out a profile but dont what im limited to . i dont know how to get into chats or write anyone , i dont know if anyone is even able to see my profile . i guess you can say im kinda of desperate to meet people as im alone feeling great after sevent months of hrt . im also very scared at the same time & dont know why . i need to  meet people to get the boost that i need . any & all responses will be greatly appreciated .
thank you
lexis
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: DriftingCrow on October 20, 2013, 05:24:29 AM
Quote from: lexi on October 20, 2013, 04:02:17 AM
hi susan ,
            my name is lexis & im new to your site . id love to contribute but at this time im on ssd with no job & thats not even enough to get by on . i hope i may be able to contribute on my next due date in nov. .
i filled out a profile but dont what im limited to . i dont know how to get into chats or write anyone , i dont know if anyone is even able to see my profile . i guess you can say im kinda of desperate to meet people as im alone feeling great after sevent months of hrt . im also very scared at the same time & dont know why . i need to  meet people to get the boost that i need . any & all responses will be greatly appreciated .
thank you
lexis

welcome to Susan's Place Lexi. :) Don't worry if you can't afford to donate, you're still a member of the community. We can see your  profile by clicking on your name, you can write people Personal Messages after you have 15 posts. I've never been into the chat, but I believe its still accessible for those who haven't donated.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Sandy on November 14, 2013, 05:51:55 AM
Susan:

I thought I was set up for a monthly donation of $20 USD.  I looked at my donation stats and nothing appears.  I know that there has been money checked out of my PayPal account, but I don't see it on the site.

If there is a problem, I'd like to get it straightened out.  I do want to support.

Let me know if you find anything.

Thanks!

-Sandy
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on November 20, 2013, 04:53:22 PM
You are setup as a subscriber, subscriptions do not increase the donation totals. They are separate systems.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Sandy on November 21, 2013, 05:37:41 AM
Quote from: Susan on November 20, 2013, 04:53:22 PM
You are setup as a subscriber, subscriptions do not increase the donation totals. They are separate systems.

That explains my confusion, thanks Susan!

-Sandy (the easily confused)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Charley Bea(EmeraldP) on December 15, 2013, 04:53:24 PM
Subscription fee sent.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Charley Bea(EmeraldP) on January 11, 2014, 02:45:57 AM
Sent my payment not sure if it has been received.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Cindy on January 11, 2014, 02:51:46 AM
I'll check thanks honey
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Charley Bea(EmeraldP) on January 11, 2014, 02:53:35 AM
Quote from: Cindy on January 11, 2014, 02:51:46 AM
I'll check thanks honey

No worries. :)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Charley Bea(EmeraldP) on January 15, 2014, 11:38:36 AM
Okay paypal just sent a second payment automatically and says I have it set up to send automatically once a month except I do not recall setting that up as I prefer doing it manually each month as it helps me control my finances alot more easily, in other words I didn't want that second amount removed from my bank balance as I paid this months fees and I really need that 10.00 dollars is there a way to reverse it? I do not know how it was set up to do it automatically but it says if I cancel it I can't open it again so does that mean I won't be able send payments at all anymore?

Paypal still confuses me.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on January 21, 2014, 10:37:03 PM
If you cancel the payment the current month will run in full. There's a check box to do a payment automatically.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on January 21, 2014, 10:41:33 PM
I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to help out without your help I would be totally underwater financially. Even with the current level of support it's only bringing in enough to ease the pinch somewhat. I am not yet even breaking even. So it's greatly appreciated!
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Charley Bea(EmeraldP) on January 24, 2014, 03:14:46 AM
Well it is cancelled. Weird thing is I never checked a box to make payments automatic so I am not sure what happened.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Muffinheart on February 10, 2015, 09:38:13 AM
Quote from: justpat on July 24, 2013, 09:26:56 PM
  Hi Susan,
  When doing a yearly subscription can I pay with a regular credit card ? I don't use Paypal.

Resulting from a bad experience with Pay Pal and EBay (two services I'll never use again), I'm looking to make contribution via credit card.
Please advise how.
Thank you
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on February 10, 2015, 11:16:08 AM
I don't have any way to accept credit card other than paypal. Sorry :(
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: CHELLIE on February 19, 2015, 07:01:40 PM
Thank You Susan for such a Wonderful Forum, lots of Info here, I will help to Donate to help keep it going, I know its a Financial burden big time, Take care, Chellie
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: DriftingCrow on February 19, 2015, 09:07:16 PM
Quote from: Muffinheart on February 10, 2015, 09:38:13 AM
Resulting from a bad experience with Pay Pal and EBay (two services I'll never use again), I'm looking to make contribution via credit card.
Please advise how.
Thank you

Quote from: Susan on February 10, 2015, 11:16:08 AM
I don't have any way to accept credit card other than paypal. Sorry :(


I hear Dwolla is another good alternative if you want to send money you just need the other's e-mail. The person on the receiving end, if they want to receive the money, can set up a dwolla account and have it go to their bank account. The fees are supposedly lower than paypal and business friends of mine recommended it to me before.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Muffinheart on February 20, 2015, 04:12:25 AM
Quote from: DriftingCrow on February 19, 2015, 09:07:16 PM
I hear Dwolla is another good alternative if you want to send money you just need the other's e-mail. The person on the receiving end, if they want to receive the money, can set up a dwolla account and have it go to their bank account. The fees are supposedly lower than paypal and business friends of mine recommended it to me before.

Thank you for the suggestion.
I tried to send money via email to a friend in the US, but because I'm in Canada and the transaction on my end is Canadian dollars, the transaction was rejected by her bank.

I will try this Dwolla thingie.

Nina
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Muffinheart on February 20, 2015, 04:19:36 AM
Dwolla is for US clients only. Darn!
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Shawn Sunshine on March 23, 2015, 10:49:00 PM
I simply cannot use paypal as I am having a dispute with them and my account there has been frozen for some time. I do not see myself being able to use the account until probably after 2015. I still would like to donate and/or subscribe, so if you had a way to offer via money order or moneygram or western union or via some sort of person to person transfer, that would be helpful. Or I could snail mail to a P.O. or Private Mailbox or even use a mail forwarding service.

I have had nothing but problems with PayPal, and I have a legal dispute which i cannot discuss further.

Please let me know Susan
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Shawn Sunshine on March 23, 2015, 10:50:31 PM
I remember it use to be that you could still make a payment via paypal using a debit/credit card without actually having to sign in or have an account, to just make a payment.

*Edit*  Ok Now I see in fact it lets you just pay, no account needed :)   :angel:
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: CB on March 24, 2015, 06:26:27 PM
Quote from: Susan on February 10, 2015, 11:16:08 AM
I don't have any way to accept credit card other than paypal. Sorry :(

Sorry I am not willing to use Paypal either!   And for a very good reason!

To be quite candid if you want people to make donations (and I would be) you need to give them a choice and not limit yourself to one payment system.  By not providing other options you are potentially excluding a large number of donations.

 
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on March 24, 2015, 08:32:45 PM
You do know that you can pay via paypal without having an account.  If you don't wanna use paypal even that much how about you giving me a workable alternative for online payments, and I will take a look at it.  Believe me I have looked for one.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Shawn Sunshine on March 24, 2015, 08:35:12 PM
Quote from: Susan on March 24, 2015, 08:32:45 PM
You do know that you can pay via paypal without having an account.  If you don't wanna use paypal even that much how about you giving me a workable alternative for online payments, and I will take a look at it.  Believe me I have looked for one.

Its good that at least you can still donate with a CC that way. I remember before paypal, before ebay bought paypal though, it was even harder then.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Muffinheart on March 24, 2015, 08:39:30 PM
Quote from: CB on March 24, 2015, 06:26:27 PM
Sorry I am not willing to use Paypal either!   And for a very good reason!

To be quite candid if you want people to make donations (and I would be) you need to give them a choice and not limit yourself to one payment system.  By not providing other options you are potentially excluding a large number of donations.



Yep, I'm the same. After Pay pal f'd up my eBay account, I vowed never to support eBay/pay pal again.
Lol, didn't think I could hold a grudge so long, but it must be five years now.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Shawn Sunshine on March 24, 2015, 09:04:15 PM
I still like Ebay, just not PayPal, but its the same company lol....i guess its like saying I like Cherry Pepsi, but not Lime Pepsi
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on March 24, 2015, 09:16:21 PM
The thing to remember is that you are not supporting Paypal or Ebay, you are supporting this web site.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Shawn Sunshine on March 24, 2015, 09:35:07 PM
Quote from: Susan on March 24, 2015, 09:16:21 PM
The thing to remember is that you are not supporting Paypal or Ebay, you are supporting this web site.

TRUTH
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Pia Bianca on March 28, 2015, 01:17:11 AM
Quote from: Susan on March 24, 2015, 08:32:45 PM
If you don't wanna use paypal even that much how about you giving me a workable alternative for online payments, and I will take a look at it.  Believe me I have looked for one.

What about bitcoin? I was told it is so much better.

That said, I still like paypal. I'd sent a donation immediately if I could afford it. There will eventually be better times allowing me to donate.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Martine A. on June 12, 2015, 11:04:38 AM
My take on it... paypal has advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is I don't expand list of places that have my bank card or credit card info. The disadvantage is, I can't get recurring subcription because paypal requires permissions I am not willing to give them. They misbehaved with use of my bank account in the past.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Martine A. on July 06, 2015, 01:12:01 PM
I have a couple of questions. Previously I was unable to sign up for recurring subscription because paypal wants to be able to sip freely one of my accounts. There is no way I am letting them do that again. So, say my current subscription ends on

July 12, 2015, 10:21:00 pm

1) What happens to my content here if I fall into a gap between two subscriptions? Gap meaning a period I am not subscribed.
2) Is there a way to subscribe earlier but still to have subscription extended to:

August 12, 2015, 10:21:00 pm?

Thanks. :)
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on July 06, 2015, 03:08:42 PM
Nothing happens to your content.

No there is no way to stack subscriptions.

You could consider getting an account just for paypal, and transferring funds from your main account to your paypal linked account. I do something similar for my bill payments. Then paypal never has access to your primary bank account.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Kerry30Den on September 17, 2015, 09:03:06 AM
Quote from: justpat on July 24, 2013, 09:26:56 PM
  Hi Susan,
  When doing a yearly subscription can I pay with a regular credit card ? I don't use Paypal.

I have the same question.  I'd love to be a monthly supporter, but I refuse to use PayPal.  I had my account breached and though PayPal found the error when the transaction was made they still proceeded to deduct over $1500 from my account and make me wait 15 days to get my money back.  After than experience I closed my account and won't use them.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Mariah on September 17, 2015, 09:18:32 AM
You might try emailing Susan. She may have another way that you can pay. Hugs
Mariah
Quote from: Kerry30Den on September 17, 2015, 09:03:06 AM
I have the same question.  I'd love to be a monthly supporter, but I refuse to use PayPal.  I had my account breached and though PayPal found the error when the transaction was made they still proceeded to deduct over $1500 from my account and make me wait 15 days to get my money back.  After than experience I closed my account and won't use them.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Jessica_Rose on January 20, 2018, 05:05:31 PM
For the number of lives this site has probably saved and for the thousands of people who have been helped, $30,000 a year is a bargain by any measure. After all, how can you put a price on happiness?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Devlyn on January 20, 2018, 05:08:04 PM
That was fun. Now back to our regularly scheduled thread.  :police:
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Cindy on January 20, 2018, 05:10:12 PM
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on January 20, 2018, 05:08:04 PM
That was fun. Now back to our regularly scheduled thread.  :police:

Normal services have been resumed my dear :-*
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Jessica on January 20, 2018, 05:16:20 PM
Quote from: Cindy on January 20, 2018, 05:10:12 PM
Normal services have been resumed my dear :-*

Thank you, that was getting weird. 
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: V M on January 27, 2018, 09:15:42 PM
Time to step it up folks, only a few days left to meet the January goal  ;D  Go team Susan's Place!!!

Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: ValaKyrie on May 26, 2018, 02:04:15 AM
Hi.. gravedug this because I got the PM regarding donations and I'm too new to PM.. this was only relevant thread that asked if it could be done with Bitcoin (in 2015). Has a mod opened a BT wallet?
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Eryn T on May 26, 2018, 05:23:18 AM
It makes me very happy to see the community coming together to support this place and Susan!

Just a few days ago I think it was still over $1000 from the goal or something?


<33333 you all!
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Dena on May 26, 2018, 10:52:10 AM
Quote from: ValaKyrie on May 26, 2018, 02:04:15 AM
Hi.. gravedug this because I got the PM regarding donations and I'm too new to PM.. this was only relevant thread that asked if it could be done with Bitcoin (in 2015). Has a mod opened a BT wallet?
I believe the only methods of payment are by mail or through PayPal which is used by the site. If you use PayPal, an abbreviation of Susan's Place will appear on your statement so should it be reviewed by somebody else, they won't be able to connect it to this site. The abbreviation isn't used in the public area so it can't be searched for.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: AnneK on May 26, 2018, 12:46:25 PM
You can use Paypal to charge your credit card directly.
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: ValaKyrie on May 26, 2018, 06:21:16 PM
Quote from: Dena on May 26, 2018, 10:52:10 AM
I believe the only methods of payment are by mail or through PayPal which is used by the site. If you use PayPal, an abbreviation of Susan's Place will appear on your statement so should it be reviewed by somebody else, they won't be able to connect it to this site. The abbreviation isn't used in the public area so it can't be searched for.

Thanks for the fast reply. I wasn't concerned about privacy issues (nobody reads statements but me), just wanting to use a little of my trading money floating around on an exchange to donate a bit of profit when Bitcoin bumps up a bit at its high point for the day/week :) I'll send Paypal. But I'd recommend opening a Bitcoin wallet at some point and posting the public wallet receiving address at some point for future donations. Might be others who want to do the same - or just get rid of their Bitcoin if they no longer use it.

Thanks for this site, has been very helpful for this lurker!
Title: Re: Help support Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Post by: Susan on May 27, 2018, 04:39:34 PM
I know nothing about bitcoin or how to transfer it to useable funds when needed.