What is this that I have been hearing about a $5 charge to get a card to work on student bonfire this year? This makes no sense. What nonprofit organization charges its volunteer workers? I hope this nasty rumor is not true.

Even though it's nonprofit, it would like to be non-debt also. Sorry $5 seems like so much to you.

It's $5 to help ensure they don't finish in the red.

Skip a meal at McDonald's and pay it.

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE









i'm excited, i'm going to come up there this weekend

$5 covers a lot of things, including your admission to Burn night (whereas in previous years students who built Bonfire still had to pay to get in like everyone else). It is not unreasonable at all.

Have you ever had a time right before payday where you have floated a check or borrowed a few dollars from a friend until you get paid? I know I have.

Now imagine a month that is about 80 days long with only one pay-period on the 80th day. A little money trickles in here and there (from donations and fundraisers), but not quite enough to avoid going into the red. What do you do?

A small non-profit company has a hard time getting a line of credit or a loan from a bank, and very few retailers are willing to extend them 80 day terms on Accounts Receiveable. You can either do a bunch of fund-raising (which Bonfire has done), ask for more donations (done that too), and/or ask that participants chip in $5 each "mid-month."

I think that it is a great idea and am happy that this year's leadership has the foresight that we lacked in previous years. If Bonfire can avoid the rain this year, next year will be much less stressful and may not require the mid-month payday.

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

So is this a one-time deal if things work out or are they going to make it a permanent "fee".

Let's clear this up.

Bonfire is not profiting off of this. We have expenses like any business and this will help cover them so Bonfire will burn.

For the past several years, it's burned because of the pocketbooks of the leadership. Is it too much to ask for you to chip in a few bucks so we'll have money to pay for the equipment we need?

I don't think so.

Besides, it's a privelege to work on Bonfire. Understand and embrace that concept. $5 to admit you into that privelege is not too much to ask. You can't put a pricetag on the value of Bonfire. Your $5 helps cover the costs of this invaluable experience.

Furthermore, we're applying to be tax-exempt under a charitable status... meaning that any money left after cost will be split between the charities and scholarships that we're benefitting and reinvesting in Bonfire so it can burn again next year. Non-profit businesses are allowed to make a profit to continue to operate as long as it's not unreasonable. Aggie Student Bonfire is in this for you, not to make money.

None of us are profiting off of Bonfire... in fact, the leadership continues to help pay for it, so it's actually costing us money.

I don't see any of us complaining about the hundreds and thousands that have been spent by past and present leadership.

And if you have a problem with this, why don't you come to the leadership and talk to them about it? I assure you that if you have further insights, they will be listened to... and if you don't have the cash, we'll help figure that out with you.

Gig 'em and BTHOB. See you at cut class tonight or tomorrow.

Hagen, I imagine that it will be a yearly fee until we're on our feet and have other options to finance the construction of Bonfire.

Maybe if your leadership wouldn't piss off your financial backers then you wouldn't have to beg for money from your volunteers.

Also, it sounds like Hagen asked a civil question and you responded in a very accusatory and demeaning tone. Mitch was building Bonfire when you had training wheels on your bike. No reason to talk down to him. Seems like you have something of a chip on your shoulder.

NSG and opie summed it up well. Just to re-emphasize, Aggie Student Bonfire gets $0 and support from The University. Without some kind of inflow of cash, ASB will cease to exist, period.

Don't look at it as a charge to work on Bonfire. Instead look at it as membership dues for an organization that you wish to support.

And don't worry, even with dues, I think we are still a Loooooong way from "Rent a Friend"

Scott Coker '92/'95

[This message has been edited by COKEMAN (edited 10/4/2005 2:07p).]

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Hagen, I imagine that it will be a yearly fee until we're on our feet and have other options to finance the construction of Bonfire.

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I don't see anything accusatory and demeaning in that response. Her previous post was directed elsewhere, but it still didn't come off as accusatory and demeaning. At least not to me.

Scott Coker '92/'95

Thank you, Coker.

Hagen, I apologize if it seemed like I was responding to you in an accusatory manner. I believe I was typing my 1st post on this thread when you posted your question.

What, we have reincorporated and have new leadership. And I'd add that we've had issues in the past getting donations because we're not tax exempt, yet. Donors want that tax exemption.

We've reincorporated, which shoud make it easier to apply for 501(c)3 status. My sisters and I are working on that mound of paperwork as well as trying to balance the behind the scenes aspects of Bonfire.

And you're right, it's moronic to piss off donors. I don't personally know of any past instances, but I can assure you that we're working on letting past, present, and future donors know how valuable they are to Aggieland.

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So is this a one-time deal if things work out or are they going to make it a permanent "fee".

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Had it not rained at Bonfire 2005's Burn, there would probably not be the $5 door donation this year at cut. The money to purchase supplies for '05 would be sitting in the coffers and replenished at the end of this year.

When this year's Bonfire generates sufficient overages to operate for the entire year of 2006, there will not be a $5 door donation for '06 Cut.

Donations are still welcomed with open arms. Thanks to all those who have given over the years, as you have truly made Bonfire a reality.

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

Now let's not all get pissy about this, I was just curious about the plan for this charge. I remember asking many a person for some financial help and getting it in droves.

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Besides, it's a privelege to work on Bonfire. Understand and embrace that concept. $5 to admit you into that privelege is not too much to ask.

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Now this I take issue to. Charging someone and spinning it as an admission fee for a privelege that I'm volunteering for seems just a tad bit out of wack. It is often hard enough to get folks to come out and participate, but then to say "Oh yeah, thanks for coming out, gimme $5.00" and you will lose numbers. I agree with the tack that $5 to help out the financial burden, but let's not spin it as a privelege.

It sounds like things are working forward and upwards and that's the great thing. The better things get, the easier the finances will work out.

And if any RAB's can't spot the $5, let me know and I'll foot their tab.





Beer & Women, Our Desire
Party with the Best, Moses Empire

Just think of it as prepaying your admission to burn.

Hagen, I can understand that.

What I said was meant to illustrate a point.

The point I was making is that, yes, you volunteer your time to work on Bonfire... but that doesn't make it less of a privelege. It's a privelege because there's nothing else like it. It's part of what makes Aggies unique. In essence, it's a privelege that we have the opportunity to grow by building Bonfire.

Maybe it would make more sense if I rephrased that to say that those of us who work on it are indeed priveledged because of the intrinsic rewards and lessons that Bonfire instills in each of us.

$5 is a inconsequential price to pay for/support that "privelege." Everyone pitches in and that's how Bonfire gets built - the concept that alone we can't do it, but together we can.

Hopefully there won't be a drop in #s. I really believe that there will be an increase in numbers this year. We've already seen that increase in the preliminary lists and those people are aware of the $5.

I just wanted to further explain what I meant by what I said. I can understand how it could have been interpreted it that way. (I'm not trying to take my stupid greek elitism to Bonfire )

Thanks for the constructive criticism and the encouragement.

[This message has been edited by northsidegreek06 (edited 10/4/2005 5:01p).]

I am nowhere near College Station, so this is a question seeking information...

What kind of fundraising goes on for Aggie Bonfire right now?

We've sold merchandise and done concerts, domino tournaments, and car washes in the past. We sent the Greypots out to talk to A&M clubs to get the word out this summer. We've contacted past donors.

Right now we're not doing too much other than trying to get everything squared away for First Cut and then we'll be getting stuff ready for Burn.

The brunt of the fundraising occurs on Burn night because of admission. The other stuff ideally happens during the spring and summer. Admission's kinda like this member fee bit. Once it's not needed for us to stay afloat to meet costs to build Bonfire, it won't be charged.

Hope that answers your question.

[This message has been edited by northsidegreek06 (edited 10/5/2005 10:00a).]

i don't think that the issue here is that $5 is an outrageous amount of money. it probably wouldn't matter if it's a quarter or if it's twenty bucks. it seems to be the principle of it. the fact is we HAVE to pay in order to work on it. that's ridiculous. $5 is nothing, but the fact that we HAVE to pay any amount to keep the Aggie Spirit alive is unfathomable. had they asked for a $5 donation at the gate, it probably wouldn't have been a problem, i've spent a couple hundred anyway. everyone with money would have handed it over. you should not HAVE to pay for the "priviledge" of working on bonfire.

and by the way, what's the deal with everyone having to go through cut class again? i can't make it tomorrow because of class, so i have to miss part of cut to do it? i've gone through cut class and crew chief cut already, as well as teaching other people how to cut (obviously ). am i gonna have to wear a virgin stripe too?

It isn't feasible for a handful of people to continue having to take on the brunt of the cost to keep this going. Bonfire isn't built with just with trees, wire, blood and sweat... it takes a lot of money too. Consider your $5 as just another part of the sacrifice to get the job done.

Eventually, hopefully, someday the former students will embrace this and open their wallets to fully fund it. Until then, I think most of us understand what you're having to do.

My check will be in the mail soon.

[This message has been edited by buildthehell02 (edited 10/4/2005 11:24p).]

Have to go to cut class to get that sticker!

so will i now own stock in this bonfire business? maybe the account summaries (balance sheets, income statements, etc.) should be made available to the public.

1. It's not stock. Think of it as pre-paying your entry to Burn night at the request of the leadership.

2. All non-profits make their books available to the public. When things are finalized, Aggie Student Bonfire will also comply with this requirement.

If you are really interested in the numbers and how things work, get involved. If you are just curious, it isn't rocket science to estimate the revenues/expenses for this kind of operation. The topics and percentages are modeled after Habitat for Humanity's, which publishes it's financials on it's website...

...ASB just has a bit smaller numbers, no government grants, loans, international operations, or investments.

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

Byron, I'm sorry that you HAVE to do it too. I wish that wasn't the case... but let me ask this - would you rather you having to pay $5 or would you like to not see it burn? Hopefully it'll just be a one-year or a couple year thing.

And if anyone can't chip in the $5, we're working with them.

About the cut class - there's a couple things new and in order to make sure that each person knows what's going on, we have to inform everyone... that way no one slips through the cracks. If you can't go tonight, you will go through it on Saturday or the 1st time you go to cut this year.

I know you know what you're doing. But there's plenty of people that don't and that also don't want to go to cut class. Excusing you would give them a basis to ask for an excusion.

It's going to take you all of an extra couple of minutes and it could potentially save Bonfire's arse by informing each person who wants to work on it.

If there is a further concern about the safety policy, speak to the Browns about it.

i was being sarcastic about the whole stock thing. my point about the $5 is that had it been ASKED for at the gate, it's no big deal. i'm happy to donate what i can. hell we bought all the equipment for fhk bonfire which was a hell of a lot more than $5. yes bonfire HAS TO HAVE MONEY. blah, blah, blah, beating a dead horse. but to say pay it or get out is the wrong attitude. maybe something like "we would encourage all participants to donate $5 to help pay initial costs for this year's bonfire. your donation will include cut class, a membership card, and entry to burn."

this isn't rocket science guys. i realize that non-profit organizations almost always have membership dues, but this is different. the non-profit organization aspect should only be there because it might be the only way bonfire can survive. it should still be treated as an Aggie Tradition as much as possible, however. this is how bonfire is different than a regular non-profit organization.

Just think.. at $3.00 a gallon for gas, you will spend more in gas costs than the $5 dues.

(in my case, it will cost me $8 a weekend to drive to cut)

Byron, I think we get what you are saying. Bonfire is sacred and need to preserve it as an Aggie Tradition. But since we're not affiliated with the university, we have to set up as a business and operate as such in order to survive. We're not in the business of making money, but we have to generate some cash to make it work. I didn't make the decision to have the $5 dues policy, but I am betting it occured that way because it wasn't percieved to be a big problem for people to pitch in... yet if it was voluntary, it might not happen. In my experience with things like this, when a voluntary contribution is asked, people take the idea that they don't have to do it and someone else will pick up the slack for them.

And you're right - the attitude of you pay or you don't participate is pretty harsh... that's why we have the policy of working with you if you can't contribute.

You've got a valid point, but the decision has been made and there's most likely no changing it this year. Please realize that the decision wasn't made to try to keep people from being involved or to make a profit off the members, but to keep the doors open and pay the bills.

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but to say pay it or get out is the wrong attitude

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That's what is done for burn. Why is cut so different?

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it should still be treated as an Aggie Tradition as much as possible, however

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It is. That's why it's only five friggin' dollars.

The way y'all are making a federal case out of this one would think they were asking for $250 and a percentage of your lifetime earnings.

Attending 1 year of classes at aTm: $16,881.74
2 Tickets to A&M Football game: $100-$150
Participating in A&M's Greatest Tradition: $5.

Knowing that you physically and financially helped Bonfire continue: Priceless.


(costs found via Texags and http://finance.tamu.edu/sbs/tuition/COA_05_06_new.pdf )

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

it sure would be nice to only rely on donations.I hate having to view bonfire strictly as a business, but I guess that will be the way it will have to be from here on out. This saddens me, but I guess it is better than any of the other alternatives.

by the way the workers never had to pay to watch it burn, just stayed out there all night the night before.

maybe i'm just hearing way too much outside skepticism about usage of funds. it just seems there's enough being made that this shouldn't be necessary unless ya'll are planning something huge this year (let me know, i'll shut up). i mean, if 5,000 people showed up to burn and spend an average of $2 (which actually it's way higher than that), that's $10,000. this doesn't include donations or extra fund raisers. i mean, the budget of student bonfire can't be anywhere near that of the on campus fires. gas, lighting, and equipment rental. what else? basically, if you take the general conditions (costs of running a project) of a $1,000,000 building & take away the superintendent's and project manager's salaries, you're left with a few grand. if you'd like to know any of the other problems that many of us have that shouldn't be discussed here, give me a call, i'll enlighten you.

You are not considering the cost of venue(s), pre-production of merchandise, equipment maintenance costs, and a whole slew of other things.

I think if you have genuine concerns about how ASB funds are spent, you should address them to people who can answer your questions directly rather than *****ing on a public internet forum where your "concern" does nothing more than degrade the organization.

bgrimm05 - the problem, as stated above, is those items have to be purchased BEFORE the burn revenue is in the bank.

You also didn't include bus rental and quite a few other expenses.

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basically, if you take the general conditions (costs of running a project) of a $1,000,000 building & take away the superintendent's and project manager's salaries, you're left with a few grand

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Now that's funny.

[This message has been edited by Keegan99 (edited 10/5/2005 4:54p).]