[BrandyHagz]

It has been brought to my attention that there is some confusion regarding the Terms of Service and the rules regarding fundraising on the site.

The rule regarding solicitation encompasses ANYTHING that involves the exchange of funds from one person to another, including cash donations.

The primary function of AdoptionForums.com is to provide support for members touched by adoption. The Terms of Service is in place to protect both, the interest of Adoption.com, as well as the members who participate here.

If you have a fundraising URL in your signature, now would be the best time to remove it. This includes URL’s to online blogs or journals that have links to fundraising pages or sites, as well as PayPal Donate Icons.

I hope that clears up the matter for everyone. If anyone has any questions, feel free to post them, and I will attempt to answer them for you.

[algal]

"This includes URL’s to online blogs or journals that have links to fundraising pages or sites, as well as PayPal Donate Icons."

I can understand not sharing links to sites whose primary purpose is fundraising or soliciting, but it seems a pity not to be able to share blogs just because they may contain a link in the sidebar to a fundraising opportunity.

[BrandyHagz]

If a member wants to share their blog, the fundraising aspect will have to be removed. If we allow it on a blog, then we’ll have to allow it everywhere else.

AdoptionForums.com has a zero tolerance when it comes to solicitation of any sort, including fundraising.

[wannabemama]

Brandy, I guess I sort of understand the issue with fundraising, while I'll admit that I don't particularly like it. But then why are links like this in the middle of threads?

"75 percent of each purchase helps support lifesaving UNICEF programs.
www.UNICEFusa.org"

It's part of some kind of rotating banners. Isn't this solicitation? Are these companies paying to have these ads posted?

I really value this board and the last thing I want is to be banned from it for questioning you or the board. But I think from your last statement indicating that there is a zero tolerance when it comes to solicitation, these questions need to be asked.

Just curious... Thank you for your understanding.

[BrandyHagz]

This is a common misunderstanding.

When we say “zero tolerance on solicitation” we are talking about members soliciting, not our paid advertisers whose funds allow Adoption.com to be a free community.

The ads on this forum pay to maintain the servers and manpower required to keep the family of Adoption Media LLC Websites up and running.

There have been instances in the past where members have turned out to be less than honest about who they are, or their motives for being here. In the end, this rule is in place to protect the members of the site.

I hope that clears things up.

[wannabemama]

Okay, that makes sense.

Was this board ever a "pay to use the service" type of site? I've been to other sites where you can pay to be a member if you want, but you don't have to. If you don't become a member, you can post or reply to topics, but you can't send PM's or receive PM's and you can't post pictures or see other people's pictures. That sucks--makes you feel like the red-headed step-child... I do like this site because, as far as I know, those options are available to everyone.

I wouldn't mind if personal links were posted for fundraising. Isn't that all part of "Buyer Beware"? I don't think ya'll would be endorsing those sites any more than you're endorsing the advertisers that pay to have their ads posted here. Maybe there are legal issues, though...? I guess if ya'll have had deceitful people posting sites about babies for sale or fake birthmoms or hurtful things like that, I can understand why it has to be a COMPLETE ban. There's always going to be at least one person that ruins it for everyone else, right? Unfortunately, you just never know the extents to which dishonest people will go--it always amazes me when I hear about them in the news.

UGH! Who has to check all the links here to make sure there aren't sites doing what they're not supposed to do? Or is it more like, "Don't do this," and then you trust that people don't?

By the way, do ya'll check out your advertisers to make sure they are on the up and up? I was looking for a job recently and I HATED logging on to monster or other sites and seeing all those "stuff envelopes from home" and total scam job ads when you're really trying to find a decent job! I wish those websites would be more selective of who they allow to post ads!

Anyway, thanks for clearing things up for us...sorry to go on and on about this topic!

p.s. Yay advertisers for keeping this site free for us!

[BrandyHagz]

Sorry its taken me so long to get back to you…its been a busy day around the house today

Soon (hopefully) we will be rolling out a newer version of vBulletin, and the option to view the forums with no advertisements for a fee may be in place…that’s still kinda up in the air.

Regarding members personal websites…there is an option on your profile to place your websites URL. You can pretty much have whatever you want on the site that is linked on your profile (within reason…no porn or offensive material) including fundraising, or dear birthmother letters…really whatever. The problem is posting the URLs on the forums…in the body of a thread or in your signature. That is where we draw the line.

We’re ok with having URL’s on your profile to pretty much anything, even if you want to fundraise, and you have that on your personal website, just dont post the URL on the forums…

As for monitoring URL’s…I click em all as I see them.

And finally, regarding advertisements…I’m not sure of the process used by the Sales department when it comes to advertising…Although, it is important to remember that they are paid advertisers, with no endorsement by Adoption Media LLC.

Well, I hope that cleared things up…let me know if I missed anything.

[algal]

Thanks Brandy. That did clear things up.