Thanks for the reply.
I know how much it can cost to do the business startup for a
not-for-profit type. It can cost thousands of dollars to get it right.
Copyrights and trademarks is another big budget item. When I created
Kracked Press Productions, in the early 1990's it did not cost as much
as it does today. The costs just for the legal fees are now more than a
years' worth of my income to do it right.
As soon as the paperwork is done, then somehow, somewhere, having items
to sell that will see money from it go into TDF/LO's accounts for
running the business and marketing the product will be helpful. Can you
imagine what it would be like to go to a software convention, or other
type, with 10 or more people wearing logo shirts with some great phrase
about why you should switch to LO? People see it and might wonder what
it is and then look it up at home, or come over to talk to one of the
people wearing the shirts. It would be interesting to find a place that
offers good prices on placing a large logo on the back of a light jacket
or sweatshirt, with something on the front as well. Walk down the
street, people follow and see the logo with a URL.
Having "living" banner advertisements walking down the street, or in
shopping areas, could be one way to get the word out there. I know a
place in New York City. They do embroidery as their specialty. They
also do silk-screening. I know that their minimum order is just 4
pieces, so you do not need large orders. I was thinking about getting
an order in a few months, or at least before Spring. Winter weather is
not good walking around without heavy jackets on. But it would be a way
to have professional polo shirts made with the logo.
On 09/27/2011 04:30 AM, Florian Effenberger wrote:
Hi,
webmaster for Kracked Press Productions wrote on 2011-09-26 16:21:
Since I was told that the donations was for the German location, server,
marketing, etc., I was wondering if that was true? To be honest, I know
there is a need to pay for the running of servers and other things that
the TDF/LO needs as an organization it is currently. Things cost money
and it should not be required for individuals to foot the bills for a
professional organization. Bandwidth and electricity are two monthly
bills that everyone can agree on that needs money to keep things going.
Then there are fees involved with the government paperwork for setting
up and running an organization.
I agree, we didn't point our the latest spendings to the lists - I am
sorry for that, and that surely will be done.
The main investments currently have been for trademarks, professional
law services, the crosscompiling development work we've been
discussing on steering-discuss@, the LibOCon (dito) and some
infrastructure.
For me personally, I would like to see some donations go into regional
marketing, if possible.
I know that there were many shows that LO people were at in the
USA/Canada region and they really could have used some marking dollars
to print up banners, print up brochures, make give aways [CDs/DVDs,
key-chains, shirts, etc.], and any other item needed for having a good
looking table at a show.
Definitely, we need to find a way to provide money for community
activities. Right now, it is easy: We simply don't have enough money.
I plan a second round of fundraising, but I want the foundation to be
established for that, because the foundation is what we promised for
the first round, and I first like to make that happen before asking
for money again. :-) (BTW, a status update on the foundation will be
blogged soon. Thinks do look good.)
In parallel, we should evaluate how to cooperate with local NGOs and
teams, how to collect and distribute money. This is something on the
agenda for the Paris conference.
Hope that helps a bit ;)
Florian
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