If you subscribe to the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE newsletter and have not yet become a member, isn't it time? A basic SILVER membership is still just $20. Joining is simple - just click on the button marked JOIN HERE at the top of every page of the website. You can even join and donate instantly using a credit card, debit card or e-check via PayPal - all the benefits are shown on that page, as well as the various levels of membership. Or you can donate the old fashioned way, by paper check - just remember, all checks should be made out simply to STU HAMSTRA and mailed to 676A Ninth Avenue #120, New York, NY 10036.
We are about 70 members short of the number of members we had at this point last year - 440 - which is about a 16% shortage. At the same time our Banner Ad income is down $5,000 from last year at this time. And this does not take into account the loss of income from outside work - website design and maintenance. Income in that category has dropped by close to $2,000 to date in 2008.
I just looked this all up - and even shocked myself with these figures. I knew things were bad, but didn't realize how bad until this morning! As Orwell said in 1984 (the book, not the year) "Ignorance Is Bliss" and I was in a false state of bliss for the past few months! Now I realize why I have had to cancel my cabaret-going plans so often lately for lack of funds!
We're not "crying wolf" when we say that our financial situation is critical. If it wasn't for some extraordinary gifts (non membership, non advertising) and some loans from friends and relatives, and even two wonderful folks who paid for banners far in advance, this whole operation would have collapsed back in August. 166 members out of 478 (nearly 35%) from 2007-2008 have not re-joined.
Please - if you are not yet a member, consider joining before the end of 2008.
HUGS
STU
