As I mentioned last week, I thought it might be a good idea to start a "Cocoon Fund" to help people with travel funding to our annual conference (there are at least two people whose papers were accepted to this year's conference who informed me that they would not be able to attend for financial reasons), as well as occasional Cocoon expenses (e.g. expenses for our annual conference and APA party). Given that a couple of people voiced approval for the proposal, and no one voiced disapproval, I would like to give it a try.
Here is how I would like to proceed. First, I really liked David Morrow's suggestion here that instead of having an ongoing fund, we adopt a "piecemeal" approach, soliciting donations from the community on a case-by-case basis with a particular goal in mind (e.g. travel funding for our annual conference, etc.). The benefits of this approach seem to me to be obvious: it would set clear funding goals (which I hope will motivate people to contribute), and, obviously, it would save me from having to manage an ongoing stream of money (since I will end the relevant donation period as soon as the goals are met). Finally, as I mentioned in my previous post, I will manage the Cocoon Fund complete above board, posting official PayPal statements so that the community can see precisely what comes into and goes out of the fund, and for which purposes (for example, I will announce who receives travel awards, and in what amount).
Sound good? I hope so! As I mentioned above, there are two individuals whose papers were accepted to this year's conference who informed me that they would need travel funding to attend. One individual has requested $350 and the other $200.
Here, then, is what I would like to do. I have now posted a DONATE button to the left of the daily posts (above the contributors list), and would like to encourage everyone -- contributors and readers alike -- to help out, if only in a small way (small donations are encouraged and much appreciated; every dollar and every cent helps out!). Anyway, the button will stay up until (hopefully!) we meet our $550 goal, and depending on how things go, I may write a post or two updating the fund's progress. As soon as we meet the goal, I will take the button down and post that we've met it -- and, of course, thank everyone who contributed. I will also state who the travel award winners are, and finally, post the Cocoon Fund's Paypal ledger, so that everyone can see what money has been collected (I will then post another ledger when the funds are disbursed to the travel award recipients).
Finally, I'd like to thank everyone in advance who contributes. Helping people attend our conference is a really cool thing to do. :)
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