With Porters curerent workload, I want to get some facts out for everyone to set the record straight here. There have been lots of rumors and curiousity about what this auction was about, how it developed and what the procedes will be used for. Maybe this explination will dispel rumor and set the facts straight for all members here.
This auction was the sole idea of one memeber here that had the thought of doing something different for the sole betterment of the site. Simple as that.
Porter never had any knowledge of the idea until it was moving forward and all plans were in place to start it. He was approached at that point and asked for his blessing sense it is his site.
His first concern was the money, he wanted no responsibility or did not want to hold it in any manner. He requested that a trustee hold the funds from the start and decesions be made collectivelly and he then request necessary funds as projects arrise.A few members that origionally started this site were contacted to be this 'trustee". These funds will be handled in a established bank account with a public starting balance and will be accountable at all times. It is the sites money to use as needed for projects and expenses as we progress.
Porter never approached anyone nor did the guys that helped put the event together about donating anything for the auction. A post was made and those that wanted to join in, and they did it of their own accord. It was concieved as a pure voluntary idea to donate from the ones that enjoy the site to the site.
Porter has born the expenses to host the site sense inception and never asked from anyone for help. This is a great place to start off the funds a small percantage of the funds we have currently. He never asked for reimbursement---but it right for the site to bear the expense not him. Porter has plans to revamp the site and I will let him announce those plans to his members as we continue improving this place we all enjoy. Porter will never make decesions without a collaboration from the members with these funds.
To sum it up, this was a event to raise funds for a site we all enjoy that will benefit all of us as members. Reguardless of rumors and un-truths, this was a good thing for all of us as members here. This gives this site additional opportunities to move this site in a positive direction that will benefit us all.