October 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 18-25 October, we are calling on you to donate! Any amount above US$10 will extend your membership to one year from the most recent donation. 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’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 recently celebrated a year of Owning The Servers! Transformative Works and Cultures just released its fifth volume, focusing on Exploring the Body! Fanlore, where we are recording our history, our (sometimes not-so) common language, our tropes, and our inventions! Open Doors is preserving collections through the Fan Culture Preservation Project! We have the recent DMCA exemption to celebrate and the Vidding Roadmap and and and — seriously, there’s too much for one post, get ready for detailed love!
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, OR a button pack, to proudly display your support! We’re proud to offer a new level: at US$75 donation level you receive a charmingly retro diner mug! At a level of US$100 or more you get even more options! For the first two days of the October drive (or while they last), we’ll continue to offer the beautiful and eco-friendly OTW stainless steel water bottle. But! Beginning October 20th (or as soon as we’re out of water bottles) we’ll roll out two new and nifty options: an insulated thermos or an OTW tote!
Interested in more than one awesome item of OTW swag? At US$120, you can opt for either the tote OR thermos AND the sticker & iron-on pack. At US$200 you get the tote or thermos, diner mug, and the sticker & iron-on pack — then at US$250 you get EVERYTHING: tote, thermos, diner mug, sticker & iron-on pack, our continued love and affection! Note: to be honest, every donation receives our eternal love and affection.
Edited to remove contradictory statement about membership duration. Membership is always extended one year from the most recent donation.