Chainsaws and Lifelong Friends Raffle

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They not only lived, they grew up to take care of themselves and their families.

It is no secret that Jon1212 was no fan of this website. Ditto for the last raffle recipient.

I can see unexpected medical expenses throwing someone into hard times.

A two and a half month long raffle for moving expenses?

I’m here now.....
 
I can only speak for myself, but I really don't ever want to see any raffle that I'm personally involved in posted on this site again.

There are a lot of really great people here, but it's just not worth having to wade though the piles of dung to interact with them.
I get your point and understand. I was just saying there is a few plusses. They may not outweigh the negatives though.
 
most people would never air their personal problems online.

And the folks we do these raffles for have never mentioned a need for help online. They have many good friends that were aware of their situations, and as a result, a raffle was formed. In Jon's case, it was not at all easy to convince him that he was deserving.....even though he's helped out more people than most.

I had told myself I was done in this thread, but I'll be here till this is over.

Or.....until I get banned.
 
Wow
It's a raffle we have raffles here
In my area all the time.
Fundraisers for any number of causes.
Usually a 291 that brings in hundreds
If not thousands of 10.00 per ticket sales.
If i want a chance at raffle items
I buy tickets
If not i don't.
Can't be that easy on as though lol
 
WTF what an effin joke,,,,,,I have no $$ so lets start a fund raiser for meeeee and i'll say when its enough $$ to have the raffle !!!!!!!Its a effin joke just like o-p-e forum :wtf::sucks:
 
This is a long one, so eject now or jump in with both feet. And what a perfect example above of what I try to get at in the middle of this post...

At the risk of being completely misunderstood or misread again, I think it's pretty safe to say the tone of the effort here on AS was severely undermined back on page 3 and simply has not recovered. I also stand by the other reasons given in an earlier post of mine..., which was actually very sympathetic to the cause but could probably have been worded a little better in a couple of areas to minimize the possibility of certain readers taking it the wrong way, which a couple obviously did.

That said, and before making another observation or two, last time I checked the goal was reached and the total is still growing. So why all the new ******** about this? And did anyone really think there was going to be a huge response here? I find that rather naive to be honest. And I was actually surprised to see the thread even started here for any number of reasons, not the least of which is the support and involvement elsewhere by not only the beneficiary of the effort, but also most of the sponsors and supporters in general. Most of the target base here has simply moved on and any major sales potential here from the remaining population never reached much past page three, if it even got past page one.

This brings me to what I think are a few important considerations for these events on a couple of fronts regardless of the forum being used for such activity. Take em or leave em for what they're worth. Intended to be productive, not critical. OK, maybe a little critical..., hopefully to be taken constructively. Just thinkin' out loud for the most part.

First, it's gotta be understood that any forum population is literally being exploited for such purposes whether one likes that term or not. Not saying this is necessarily a bad thing either. It's just a fact. After all, exposure is the name of the game to generate interest. Another fact is, some folks don't like such exposure being in their face for any number of reasons. Consequently, the probability for negativism exists from anyone who may have a bone to pick or simply resents being subjected to the activity for whatever reason. It's easy to say they should just mind their own business if they're not on board, but it's 'their' forum too when they open their home page to "Chainsaws" (or wherever). They may not want to be greeted by a solicitation at the top of the page or in every other sig each time they log on or start cruising threads any more than they want to be hammered by religious or political positions. There are specific areas for that stuff for good reason.

And to simply infer or actually convey an attitude of "it's their problem" or "well then, don't click the link" just breeds additional resentment which in all likelihood further develops into hostility and/or conflict having no positive or productive effect on anything. It also creates the alienation element which is the underlying factor in folks feeling that favoritism and special treatment is being flaunted regardless of the most noble personal intentions by the folks running these events. And supporters are speaking out with even more negativism attacking the forum itself and its members as the reason a certain goal for one of their buddies wasn't met fast enough or to their particular expectations? At least half of that is accurate, but there's nothing productive to be gained by perpetuating more negativity and perceived elitism..., not for this event, or any others that may involve AS as an outlet for multi-forum efforts in the future. Just creates more division and additional resentment. Not suggesting this is the norm by any means, but the elements mentioned can easily be present (or perceived) in just about any of these events to one extent or another.

And what gets lost in all this noise and chest pumping? Like Czed said, IT'S A FREEKIN' RAFFLE! Geezus. Taking it personally only reveals other issues having nothing to do with the event itself and serves no productive purpose toward the intended cause whatsoever.

So enuff o' that. But it does lead into what I believe 'could' be a solution to minimizing threads like these from deteriorating to the extent this one has and possibility even generating more consistent results wherever these events may be held. Simply move them to their own sub-category. Eliminate all the promo links in sigs. Isolate the activity to an area exclusively designated for raffles, auctions, charities, etc. Establish posting protocols to eliminate direct conflicts among the various activities. Give the activity its own dynamic area and keep it exclusive to that area. Folks will certainly learn when something major is going on and would also be exposed to other activities of similar interest when multiple events are happening. The main consideration here is to indeed limit the exposure (and exploitation) to/of the general population and offer it more exclusively for those who want to actively participate.

The resentment factor from any favoritism aspect is eliminated from the main forum pages as would be the impulse to respond negatively to a link representing something or someone who may be controversial among the general population. In other words, don't even give assholes a convenient opportunity to bring any crap to the table. By the same token, it could also provide a less public venue for posts more personal in nature that could otherwise be viewed the wrong way or criticized by someone just looking to negatively engage if it were a more broadly viewed thread. That type of arrangement would probably also self-moderate much more effectively than the public free-for-all this has become.

Anyway, maybe food for thought for admin types both here and elsewhere. All I know is this got ugly fast and I was embarrassed to even be reading where it was going, not to mention being embarrassed for Jon. Hell, I already felt bad enuff for him thinkin' Will Ferrell is funny. (That's a joke, folks.)

And Randy, those of us who've been around awhile understand and sympathize with your frustration on multiple levels. That being said, not sure here is the right place or time to be letting it get the best of you. Still a couple weeks left that would be much better served over here trying to get this back on track down the home stretch instead of shootin' the horse before even gettin' to the finish line. And I mean that respectfully bro, not as a poke or swipe at ya. Let the water under the bridge roll on and keep the future in the hi-beams, my man.

Best to Jon and good luck to everyone who has kicked into this thing. Love him or hate him, this is one hell of an opportunity to actually win somethin' in one o' these things..., and ya can't win if ya don't play. Sellin' a saw tomorrow and should finally be able to toss in a few bux myself. Good luck to me!

Cheers, gang.
 
And Randy, those of us who've been around awhile understand and sympathize with your frustration on multiple levels. That being said, not sure here is the right place or time to be letting it get the best of you. Still a couple weeks left that would be much better served over here trying to get this back on track down the home stretch instead of shootin' the horse before even gettin' to the finish line. And I mean that respectfully bro, not as a poke or swipe at ya. Let the water under the bridge roll on and keep the future in the hi-beams, my man.

I'm not sure there is any chance of getting this back on track Poge. As for it getting the best of me.....that's not gonna happen either.

The whole thing is just sad. I found this site at one of the lowest points of my life. I was very sick, out of work due to my illness. This site, and it's members really helped me. I knew I could never again build houses....but perhaps I could make a few bucks tinkering on saws.

Early on in this new chapter of my life, I traded for a 2100XP. I didn't have a bar for it though. I was a new member, a nobody. Regardless of my standing in the community, Jon1212 sent me a nice bar, and a chain. He refused any payment, would not even allow me to cover shipping.

His act of generosity really impressed me. And...it wasn't an isolated incident. The community here was welcoming, warm, helpful.....a group of people united by a common interest.

I just miss how things were here at that point in time, and wonder if things would have been different for me had I not found the place when I did.

I guess things never really stay the same, and we are always looking back to some perceived "Golden Time".
 
You don't have to like the guy to enter a raffle. Probably helps if you are organizing the raffle. But I'll bet there are guys who don't even know who he is that are willing to bet $10 on a chance to win an MS 461. Brand new 462 worked over by MM in Tennesse!


Philbert
I'm still using the sawyer's hat/face shield I won in the 1st raffle I participated that you sent to me :bowdown:@Philbert

Randy you hit a few nails on the head. there are folks on this sight who don't spew enough over on the religion politic thred but gotta do their thing other spots. Sad just very Sad.
Last time I looked total donations $10240 IIRC
 
I am pretty sure it was decided by the ones putting it on what the goal is and they also were the ones that said if the goal amount wasn't reached we would just keep running it till.
WTF what an effin joke,,,,,,I have no $$ so lets start a fund raiser for meeeee and i'll say when its enough $$ to have the raffle !!!!!!!Its a effin joke just like o-p-e forum :wtf::sucks:
 
Jon and me has certainly had our words to each other before, but life is too short to hold grudges and animosity towards others. I don't know the details of what he's going through but I certainly hope the best for him. I do believe Jon is the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.

Everyone has hardships they will endure over a lifetime and it's awesome that people are willing to help. I sincerely hope the Raffle money will get him through his time of need. My hats off to the ones takin the time to put this on. You guys are truly an inspiration to humanity.:bowdown:
 
Jon and me has certainly had our words to each other before, but life is too short to hold grudges and animosity towards others. I don't know the details of what he's going through but I certainly hope the best for him. I do believe Jon is the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.

Everyone has hardships they will endure over a lifetime and it's awesome that people are willing to help. I sincerely hope the Raffle money will get him through his time of need. My hats off to the ones takin the time to put this on. You guys are truly an inspiration to humanity.:bowdown:

Hello Rick. Great to read you my friend.
 
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