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Admittedly getting started with this editorial has been a little challenging. Why? Because this month we are focusing on money.
Money can be a thorny topic, enmeshed with things like trust, struggle, capitalism, and value. It can also be associated with empowerment, uplifting, and furthering a cause. Each of us brings our own experiences and belief systems to money and how we choose to manage and spend it. Ultimately it’s beholden upon me to provide you with some information about Common Climber, my philosophy, vision, and transparency about the plans for the funds. And I will do that here. Hopefully you have explored the website and seen the awesome contributions from Common Climbers all around the globe. Hopefully you have seen my article about why I started Common Climber, as well as the product of years of work and monthly efforts to create fresh editions. But I want to emphasize here that I believe the regular, everyday climber and our experiences have value in this world, value that is independent of the grade or style of climbing in which we partake. We, as Common Climbers, love climbing and want to express ourselves creatively around it. Or, as readers, we want to immerse ourselves in the writings, photography, and art of people just like us. |
Photo Credit: Adam McKibben
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This leads me to share another of my philosophies. I mentioned this on the front page of this month's edition, but it bears repeating. I desire a peaceful online reading experience. As a result, I’m not willing to compromise that experience with flashy ads and pop-ups. I get it, that is one viable way to raise money without asking people to “give.” But, you are still giving something, even if it’s not cash. For me, it’s my peace-of-mind. I am determined to keep Common Climber calm and beautiful – like a meditative climb.
Thus, we are going the donation and online auction route to raise funds. To me, this route brings an extra level of responsibility and accountability. I am accountable to you. Accordingly, I feel a responsibility to be transparent.
Part of my efforts at transparency and accountability is by having an Advisory Board. This is a group of five incredible people in the climbing world who are also volunteering their time to provide input and guidance. I pass just about everything by them.
How about the money part? What is Common Climber’s vision and what are we going to do with the funds?
Common Climber is currently an all-volunteer magazine, so no single person receives payments or income. Would we like to get the point where we can honor people’s time with cash – even if it’s a small amount? Absolutely. People’s time, energy, and creativity deserve remuneration. But for now, that’s not where the funds are being spent.
First, basic operating costs need to be covered. It’s not sexy, but it's true. Fortunately our operating expenses are pretty low – we don’t own buildings or have to pay for electricity (well, I pay for the electricity I use while pulling all of the editions together...but I think you know what I mean...) – so the money we spend is for our actual existence in this wonderful virtual world (websites, domain names, business licenses, etc.). Without these basic expenses covered, there is no Common Climber.
Second, we want to grow our audience. Now that’s a little sexier, because as we grow our audience, it increases the variety of submissions we receive (good for your reading experience!) AND it expands the readership for those who share their talent through Common Climber (great for those of you who love to write, create art, and photograph climbing!)
The funds help Common Climber be a true portal for creative expression!
Third, we want to take the next step and honor Common Climber submissions in the world of print. Now that’s sexy! And, we plan to do it in a beautiful, oversized, high gloss, visually stimulating format. There’s more we will be sharing with you about our print Anthology in the coming months, but for now, we need some funds to help get that ball rolling.
So what will happen if we don’t reach our goal of $1000 in donations or sell anything in the online auction? Well, I’m kinda in the middle of that climb right now and thinking about falling is not exactly where I want my mind focused.
I really believe we have something pretty cool going on here and I think there are enough Common Climbers who see the value in this resource and want their voices and visions to be seen and heard amongst their peers.
It would be an honor for Common Climber to make that happen with you!
Thus, we are going the donation and online auction route to raise funds. To me, this route brings an extra level of responsibility and accountability. I am accountable to you. Accordingly, I feel a responsibility to be transparent.
Part of my efforts at transparency and accountability is by having an Advisory Board. This is a group of five incredible people in the climbing world who are also volunteering their time to provide input and guidance. I pass just about everything by them.
How about the money part? What is Common Climber’s vision and what are we going to do with the funds?
Common Climber is currently an all-volunteer magazine, so no single person receives payments or income. Would we like to get the point where we can honor people’s time with cash – even if it’s a small amount? Absolutely. People’s time, energy, and creativity deserve remuneration. But for now, that’s not where the funds are being spent.
First, basic operating costs need to be covered. It’s not sexy, but it's true. Fortunately our operating expenses are pretty low – we don’t own buildings or have to pay for electricity (well, I pay for the electricity I use while pulling all of the editions together...but I think you know what I mean...) – so the money we spend is for our actual existence in this wonderful virtual world (websites, domain names, business licenses, etc.). Without these basic expenses covered, there is no Common Climber.
Second, we want to grow our audience. Now that’s a little sexier, because as we grow our audience, it increases the variety of submissions we receive (good for your reading experience!) AND it expands the readership for those who share their talent through Common Climber (great for those of you who love to write, create art, and photograph climbing!)
The funds help Common Climber be a true portal for creative expression!
Third, we want to take the next step and honor Common Climber submissions in the world of print. Now that’s sexy! And, we plan to do it in a beautiful, oversized, high gloss, visually stimulating format. There’s more we will be sharing with you about our print Anthology in the coming months, but for now, we need some funds to help get that ball rolling.
So what will happen if we don’t reach our goal of $1000 in donations or sell anything in the online auction? Well, I’m kinda in the middle of that climb right now and thinking about falling is not exactly where I want my mind focused.
I really believe we have something pretty cool going on here and I think there are enough Common Climbers who see the value in this resource and want their voices and visions to be seen and heard amongst their peers.
It would be an honor for Common Climber to make that happen with you!