Patreon Discussion Thread

[Brother Tyler]

Special Projects Guidance posted here.

 

The most pressing issue for this special project is the guidance on crowdfunding. Since you've already initiated your crowdfunding effort, we're going to allow an exception for you in that you may continue to manage your own crowdfunding page and the funds raised.

 

That said, the other guidance on crowdfunding and how those funds may/may not be used will apply (if you choose to continue conducting the project here at the B&C). This is going to require transparency in terms of how much money you raise and exactly how you use that money.

 

Since we don't know what your exact plans were for utilizing the funds, we're not going to define any adjustments that have to be made in order to follow the special projects guidelines (common sense will apply). If you have any questions or concerns, though, we'll be happy to work with you and provide a fair resolution and explanation.

 

If you prefer to continue following your current plan and that plan is outside the scope of what we'll allow for special projects, we understand. In that event, we'll give you the time you need to save all of the hard work that has taken place here at the B&C.

 

Hopefully this doesn't negatively impact your project. As we stated in the linked guidance, we developed a set of guidelines that explicitly stated what our original intents were, but updated for things we hadn't previously considered (e.g., originally, crowdfunding was not allowed).

[Brother Tyler]

The deadline for projects to indicate that they would adhere to the guidelines was 16 June. It's almost four months past that, and though some questions were posed and we answered, this project has not definitely indicated that it will adhere to the guidance with regard to the use of the funds raised through crowdfunding.
 

xCROWDFUNDINGx

Projects conducted here at the B&C should be considered as labors of love - something we're doing not just for the enjoyment of the participants, but to further the hobby for other hobbyists here at the B&C. No project conducted here at the B&C will derive any material or financial benefit for the participants.

That said, there are times when a project's presentation will greatly benefit from professional services such as artwork, painted models, or terrain. If the resources to acquire such are beyond the abilities of the participants to provide and no other volunteers are available to provide them, project participants may consider crowdfunding sources. If crowdfunding becomes part of a special project plan, there will be controls implemented:

• Approved crowdfunding will be managed by the Bolter & Chainsword under the control of the administrators. Project participants must have a viable plan for crowdfunding as part of a project, and must secure B&C administrator permission before any crowdfunding will be initiated.
• Funds raised through crowdfunding may be used for things such as:
  • commission artwork
  • commission model painting
• Funds raised through crowdfunding may not be used for things such as:
  • miniatures/models (project participants must buy the miniatures/models themselves)
  • supplies and tools (e.g., paints, brushes, etc.)
  • compensation of individuals participating in the project
  • software or applications
  • memorabilia for project participants (e.g., shirts, business cards, etc.).
• Any funds raised through crowdfunding that are not used for the project will be used for the upkeep and maintenance of the Bolter & Chainsword website.

Ultimately, involving money brings in potential legal ramifications, and we don't want to expose the B&C to any legal risk (we all want the B&C to be around so that we can have these discussions and conduct these projects, after all). So crowdfunding should be a means of last resort, used only when absolutely necessary, and it will be controlled by the B&C admins in order to ensure that the B&C isn't exposed to legal risk.

 

Note that the only exemption granted to this project was the portion about the management of the funds raised through crowdfunding. All of the other allowances/restrictions on the use of funds raised through crowdfunding remain in effect (and where a restriction and an allowance are at odds, the restriction overrules the allowance - so while commission painting services are allowed, a member participating in the project can't be compensated for providing commission painting service).

So the questions remain - What is the plan for using the funds raised through crowdfunding for this project (and the answer to this requires an accountant's view - funds raised, amount of funds for each use, balance, etc.)? Does that plan adhere to the guidelines?

[simison]

Sir, my apologies. I thought Thorn had communicated our intentions months ago when we had asked our questions. We have revamped the Patreon to your specifications. We are establishing three funds to purchase art and painting commissions and money to support B&C. We've removed model purchases and any form of membership compensation. Each fund will start with a $50 base (so the first goal is $50 for art commissions, the second $50 for B&C, etc), with any money above that simply being added to each of the established funds. 

 

Is that satisfactory?

[Brother Tyler]