In June of last year I published NGW Policy concerning Non-Sponsor Vendors (that policy is here http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=19103 ) it is time for an Update.

NGW Operates with funding of our 3 Primary Sponsors, the donations of our membership, and the small amount of money we make from our merchandise sales. Our three Primary Sponsors carry by far the largest part of the financial burden. Because of that I have a responsibility to ensure advertising is equitable on NGW and they get what they are paying for. In the previous policy there were no options for any other businesses to advertise here on NGW. There are currently several individuals running small businesses based from their involvement on NGW and specifically targeting the membership of NGW. These Businesses have previously operated for free here. This Policy Revision will change some of that. Continuous advertising will require Vendors/ Business's to participate in one of the Sponsorship Programs but "Singular" announcements of goods or services provided are allowed as long as they are in good taste and are pertinent to NGW as previously allowed in the link above:
Upon first joining NGW (or for an existing member starting up a business) a Vendor is generally granted one (1) self- promoting “here I am, here is my product line, here is my web site” type of post. After that thread has died down the Vendor may answer specific questions regarding his or her product line and “if asked” provide a link to their web site or other pertinent information.

One of the most crucial things that NGW gives to the classic GL Community is the sharing of parts. This is not meant to stifle that. If you have a bike and bought a parts bike to support it and have decided to part it out that is fine. I do not consider that a Business. But if you went down the road and bought a trailer load of old GL’s to part out for profit then you are a Business plain and simple. If you saw a need for a “giddy gaper” to replace what Honda used to supply and you developed it and are now selling it then yes you are a Business. Businesses do not advertise for free.

What we have come up with for a solution is that if you are running a business and you wish to advertise on NGW you can buy the right to post a 300 x 100 pixel linked banner in your signature line for $100 a year. You will not be listed on the front page with our Primary Sponsors and you will not have your banner in the Page rotations or anything else that the Primary Sponsors get. You will get the right to have your banner or link in your signature and that is all.

If you are running a Business and do not wish to advertise that is fine also. But be aware that means no advertising here. If I see posts that I consider advertising you will be warned and after that your membership will be at risk. If it is blatant expect my response to be blatant and final.

This is not an effort to turn NGW into a money making site or anything like that. This is meant to ensure that our Primary Sponsors are being treated fairly and with the respect that they deserve.

I am aware that this could create a financial burden for some small businesses so payment plans and such will be flexible. The Grace period is from now until 1 May 2010. By then I expect that anyone with a Business link in his or her Signature line should have contacted me or rcmatt007 (NGW’s Treasurer), to make payment or set up a plan to do so.

One more thing of note is that we are exploring the possibility of changing the color of the members names that are identified as Sponsors. Just an small thing to help those of you that are running small businesses to stand out a bit and be recognized as financial supporters of the site.

I am going to post this Globally (in all the forums) for a time to ensure everyone reads it and after a time I will trim it back to just the Announcement Forum.

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"I prefer the abstract concept of incoherence in the face of great feeling to beautiful, full sentences that convey little emotion." DDL
1978/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Well done, the Admin!

As we are of those directly in the line of fire from this, me and my partner find this to be totally fair and sensible. We'll have something sorted out by the end of the month.

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'The Swan' complete rebuild album - See the result here!

ENGINE REBUILD TIPS - Stuff you won't find in the manuals!

"Impossible Is Just a Level of Difficulty!..." Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them!

I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous!

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I fully support. I like to support those that advertise here, and those paying deserve my highest support. I saw a piece on the radio in support of pop-up-ads. While they are anoying, if on a free site like this and the advertiser pays via the number of pop-ups, then I could even accept that if it helped keep the site free. I appreciate all our admins do to help the viability of this site.

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Proud member of the NGW Cartel
1977 GL1000 BAD DOG - Bring Along Deb, Decades Old Goldwing (April BOTM)
Motorcycle restoration is our hobby and we pay for that. But in the end of wrenching, the bikes are free!

I don't think you have to worry about pop-ups here. It would drive the moderator team crazy. This site is not about making money. All we need to do is pay the bills and enjoy one of the best sites on the internet. If you want to donate to keep this site free, click the button on the bottom of my signature.

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Steve Tarket
1975 GL1000 Restoration
1976 GL1000 LTD
1976 GL1000 - Jigsaw +
Proud Member of the NGW Cartel