The Aleuminati Anniversary is Coming!

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Okay, it just dawned on me that the one year anniversary of the Aleuminati is coming up on November 12th.

It's been a year already? Seems like we ought to do something special.

So the question becomes ... what should we do? We're already brewing a beer and I don't think I can afford to fly all 250 + members out here for a gathering, so ...

how should we celebrate? Leave your ideas below!

[Rob DeNunzio]

Is there a charity (beer related, of course) that would benefit from a collected gift from the group? Sort of in the same vein as German birthday parties where the birthday boy/girl pays for festivities...

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Not a bad idea, at all ... this is something I could dig. Let' discuss more ... anybody take this idea and expand on it?

Rob DeNunzio said:

Is there a charity (beer related, of course) that would benefit from a collected gift from the group? Sort of in the same vein as German birthday parties where the birthday boy/girl pays for festivities...

[The Beer Babe]

Perhaps this would be appropriate?

"Pints for Prostates is a grassroots effort to reach men with a critical message about prostate cancer screening using the universal language of beer.
Started by prostate cancer survivor and drinks journalist Rick Lyke, the goal of the program is to communicate with men in a friendly and non-threatening way about the need for regular PSA testing.
All funds raised by Pints for Prostates go directly to Us TOO International to assist with that group’s support, education and advocacy efforts."

To read more check it out at http://www.lyke2drink.com/pints/



The Beer Philosopher said:

Not a bad idea, at all ... this is something I could dig. Let' discuss more ... anybody take this idea and expand on it?
Rob DeNunzio said:

Is there a charity (beer related, of course) that would benefit from a collected gift from the group? Sort of in the same vein as German birthday parties where the birthday boy/girl pays for festivities...

[Useless Brewing]

I was not here in the begining, but I could get behind this movement.
Cheers
Preston

The Beer Babe said:

Perhaps this would be appropriate?
"Pints for Prostates is a grassroots effort to reach men with a critical message about prostate cancer screening using the universal language of beer.
Started by prostate cancer survivor and drinks journalist Rick Lyke, the goal of the program is to communicate with men in a friendly and non-threatening way about the need for regular PSA testing.
All funds raised by Pints for Prostates go directly to Us TOO International to assist with that group’s support, education and advocacy efforts."

[Virgil G]

if you haven't already, you can (at the least) put a pints for prostates link on your site.



The Beer Babe said:

Perhaps this would be appropriate?

"Pints for Prostates is a grassroots effort to reach men with a critical message about prostate cancer screening using the universal language of beer.
Started by prostate cancer survivor and drinks journalist Rick Lyke, the goal of the program is to communicate with men in a friendly and non-threatening way about the need for regular PSA testing.
All funds raised by Pints for Prostates go directly to Us TOO International to assist with that group’s support, education and advocacy efforts."

To read more check it out at http://www.lyke2drink.com/pints/



The Beer Philosopher said:

Not a bad idea, at all ... this is something I could dig. Let' discuss more ... anybody take this idea and expand on it?
Rob DeNunzio said:

Is there a charity (beer related, of course) that would benefit from a collected gift from the group? Sort of in the same vein as German birthday parties where the birthday boy/girl pays for festivities...

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Hmmm ... this is good. How do you suppose the Aleuminati would best impact this cause? I think think of a better way to celebrate our first year than giving something back! Let's keep the dialogue going.

[The Beer Babe]

Maybe we could contact the people over there at PFP and ask them how we'd best be of help?

I am thinking just that we could make a direct link on the front page for the anniverary, and that you could 'raise a glass' for the aluminati by buying a pint (donating a few bucks) to PFP.

Or, should we collect the $ from members somewhere else and make one large donation in the Aluminati's name?

The Beer Philosopher said:

Hmmm ... this is good. How do you suppose the Aleuminati would best impact this cause? I think think of a better way to celebrate our first year than giving something back! Let's keep the dialogue going.

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

I suppose we could do this a number of ways ... I do have an active donate link on the front page now (on the right sidebar) we could use. Granted, this goes to my own Pay Pal account, but so long as you all trust me ;) I don't mind to collect the funds there and then wait till we accumulate whatever we're going to to send it on behalf of everyone. Alternately, a dedicated account could be set up.

What kind of time frame do you guys think we ought to employ? Now through November 12th?

Please keep the ideas comin'! This is great!

The Beer Babe said:

Maybe we could contact the people over there at PFP and ask them how we'd best be of help?

I am thinking just that we could make a direct link on the front page for the anniverary, and that you could 'raise a glass' for the aluminati by buying a pint (donating a few bucks) to PFP.

Or, should we collect the $ from members somewhere else and make one large donation in the Aluminati's name?

The Beer Philosopher said:

Hmmm ... this is good. How do you suppose the Aleuminati would best impact this cause? I think think of a better way to celebrate our first year than giving something back! Let's keep the dialogue going.

[The Beer Babe]

How many members of the aleumninati are there? because sometimes when you're raising collective funds its encouraging to shoot for a goal. So if there were, say, 200 members of the aluminati the goal could be (i'm making this up) $400.00 for the group. As people contribute the amt needed/filled could be posted near the donate link. Since $2 isn't much to ask from people, some might go over, some might not participate, but its a goal. The only thing about goals is that sometimes it is limiting. But it would be awesome to set a goal and then totally blow it away, too.

Another thought - we could encourage people to have their own 'aluminati anniversary parties' and toss the funds into the pot, too, if they wanted an excuse to celebrate for a good cause.

Just throwin ideas out there. Other aluminati... speak up!!!

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

There are currently 252 members, at the moment. We're averaging 4-5 new members per week right now. I like this idea too. Perhaps if we set the minimum low ($1 or $2 ...) then set a goal (say $250 for having reached the 250+ member mark within a year of existence), then folks can donate the minimum or whatever they want. Good idea, Beer Babe!

What does everyone think? I'll create a promo for the front page and send out a mass message alerting all the members once we narrow this down a bit more. I'd be happy raising $250, but I bet we can do better. I've found the craft beer communnity to be quite generous in my time!

The Beer Babe said:

How many members of the aleumninati are there? because sometimes when you're raising collective funds its encouraging to shoot for a goal. So if there were, say, 200 members of the aluminati the goal could be (i'm making this up) $400.00 for the group. As people contribute the amt needed/filled could be posted near the donate link. Since $2 isn't much to ask from people, some might go over, some might not participate, but its a goal. The only thing about goals is that sometimes it is limiting. But it would be awesome to set a goal and then totally blow it away, too.

Another thought - we could encourage people to have their own 'aluminati anniversary parties' and toss the funds into the pot, too, if they wanted an excuse to celebrate for a good cause.

Just throwin ideas out there. Other aluminati... speak up!!!

[Rob DeNunzio]

We're probably best contacting the organization directly. We can tell them we have members who are going to be making donations on behalf of the Aleuminati, and ask that their development department track the gifts that have been tagged like that. That way, members get the appropriate tax deduction information from them for the donation, and we can always just call them up to ask where the total stands. They ought to be happy to do the little extra work if they hear we're essentially doing a funding drive for them.

The Beer Babe said:

How many members of the aleumninati are there? because sometimes when you're raising collective funds its encouraging to shoot for a goal. So if there were, say, 200 members of the aluminati the goal could be (i'm making this up) $400.00 for the group. As people contribute the amt needed/filled could be posted near the donate link. Since $2 isn't much to ask from people, some might go over, some might not participate, but its a goal. The only thing about goals is that sometimes it is limiting. But it would be awesome to set a goal and then totally blow it away, too.

Another thought - we could encourage people to have their own 'aluminati anniversary parties' and toss the funds into the pot, too, if they wanted an excuse to celebrate for a good cause.

Just throwin ideas out there. Other aluminati... speak up!!!

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Okay, let's do it! I will, of course, be happy to contact the organization myself unless one of you want to step up and do it ... I don't mind that at all. If they have a way to "tag" our members gifts, as Rob suggests, this is the best option for sure. Nothing wrong with making sure we all get our appropriate tax deductions, especially in our current economic state!

Once we define a goal, I'll create a nifty little promo graphic that can be updated with the running total. Great suggestions, guys! Thanks for stepping up and getting invloved! I can't wait to see what year two of the Aleuminati brings!!!

Rob DeNunzio said:

We're probably best contacting the organization directly. We can tell them we have members who are going to be making donations on behalf of the Aleuminati, and ask that their development department track the gifts that have been tagged like that. That way, members get the appropriate tax deduction information from them for the donation, and we can always just call them up to ask where the total stands. They ought to be happy to do the little extra work if they hear we're essentially doing a funding drive for them.

The Beer Babe said:

How many members of the aleumninati are there? because sometimes when you're raising collective funds its encouraging to shoot for a goal. So if there were, say, 200 members of the aluminati the goal could be (i'm making this up) $400.00 for the group. As people contribute the amt needed/filled could be posted near the donate link. Since $2 isn't much to ask from people, some might go over, some might not participate, but its a goal. The only thing about goals is that sometimes it is limiting. But it would be awesome to set a goal and then totally blow it away, too.

Another thought - we could encourage people to have their own 'aluminati anniversary parties' and toss the funds into the pot, too, if they wanted an excuse to celebrate for a good cause.

Just throwin ideas out there. Other aluminati... speak up!!!