Re: Launching New Friends of GNOME: need review for two sentences for gnome.org

["Roberto Galoppini" <roberto galoppini gmail com>]

2009/1/12 Stormy Peters <stormy gnome org>:
> Hi Marketing folks,
>
> We're launching the New Friends of GNOME page and we need a couple of
> sentences for gnome.org and a small paragraph to go out in an email to
> press.
>
> Why is it cool?
> - GNOME is supported by volunteers with time and money
> - We get a lot of unsolicited donations
> - We want to make sure they are recognized and make it easy
> - Introducing "micro-payments", small, monthly donations via credit card or
> paypal. (Not sure $10/month qualifies as "micro"!)

Question/suggestion: are you considering student rate, à la FSF?
<http://tinyurl.com/ywsfmj>


> Sentences for front page of gnome.org:
> > New Friends of GNOME program launched! A big thanks to all our supporters
> > for their love over 2008 - here's to GNOME's success creating free and open
> > source software for all! Come support free software in 2009 with our new
> > $10/month program ... and a postcard from your favorite hacker!

What about allowing donors to leave a message (à la wikipedia)?
<http://tinyurl.com/8xlnso>

> Paragraph for email:
> > We are excited to tell you that today we launch our new Friends of GNOME
> > program. Now supporters can sign up to help the GNOME Foundation with
> > recurring $10/month donations.

I think that transparency about how this money is used is necessary.
What about anticipating donors - if this is the case - that you will
be publishing detailed financial yearly reports?

> > Friends of GNOME is a way for individuals to support the GNOME project's
> > mission of providing a free and open source desktop for everyone regardless
> > of ability. With no advertising or outreach, we've raised anywhere from
> > $6,000 to $20,000 a year from generous individuals.

Would it be possible to put a link to such generous donors?




> > That money has
> > contributed to the funds for hackfests, local events and programs which in
> > turn have enabled the GNOME project to create an internationalized,
> > accessible and easy to use desktop software for both traditional desktops
> > and for mobile devices.

> > People have requested an easier, more consistent way to donate and we hope
> > our $10/month program will fill that need. We will use the additional funds
> > raised to continue to support our volunteer community in accomplishing our
> > mission of a free and open source desktop for everyone regardless of
> > abilities.

What about publicly state next year goals and objectives?

> > The GNOME project depends on volunteer support from corporations and
> > individuals. Support of both time and money. Please consider signing up for
> > Friends of GNOME today! http://www.gnome.org/friends.
>
> Thoughts welcome! We'll be launching later today.

I hope it helps,

Roberto