March at the OTW is an exciting month — we’re far enough in to 2010 that we’ve had time to evaluate our goals and examine our tasks with a fresh eye. We’re excited about what we’ve done so far as an organization and in service of fandom, and we’re exhilarated by the possibilities that are just around the corner.
So now, from 9-15 March, we are calling on you to donate. Any amount above US$10 will extend your membership to one year from the most recent donation — that means if you donate today, you’re a member until a year from today. Membership is a way to take part in the work and to accomplish our aims, and anything more you can give helps make our dreams a reality — our fanworks hosted on servers controlled by fans, on software created for fans, and using fan-created policies. The donations made last March allowed us to buy those servers! \o/ It’s an amazing accomplishment, and one we intend to make ever stronger and more sustainable. And we can’t do it without you — your suggestions, energy, hard work, and financial support.
While our members support us, we also want to be clear that we are the sum of our parts — we are you. The OTW isn’t just member-supported; our members are the OTW. We, as fans, want the OTW to reflect our diversity, our globalism, our many voices. Please join us, and bring your friends. Bring the fannish world.
We know we didn’t get a chance to represent everyone, so we invite you to contribute “membership” in your language if it’s missing!
We’ve been accomplishing so much more than we can list for you in a single post! In fact, we’ll be posting every day during the drive to spotlight our projects and mission, and to tell you more about why you should help us to sustain our work. The Archive Of Our Own is flourishing in open beta! Transformative Works and Cultures is about to release a much-anticipated issue focusing on Supernatural! Fanlore, where we are recording our history, our (sometimes not-so) common language, our tropes, and our inventions! The zine collections of the Fan Culture Preservation Project! The rescued fansites that make up the Geocities Rescue Project! Advocacy for Vidders and remix artists!
During this drive, we’re also continuing to offer the option of premiums for donations: at a level of US$50 or more you can choose to receive an OTW sticker & iron-on pack, to proudly display your support; at a level of US$100 or more, we’re changing things up a little! For the first two days of the March drive (or while they last), we’ll continue to offer the OTW insulated travel mug — beginning 11 March (or as soon as we’re out of mugs) we’ll roll out an eco-friendly OTW stainless steel water bottle; at US$120, you can opt for either the mug or the bottle (whichever is currently active) along with a sticker & iron-on pack!