Okey doke: once more ;)
the BOD has not approved this message. The idea is completely mine. I don't even know if MAAST, the organization and its officers, would find this option feasible, attractive, doable or whatever.

I felt that offering a low cost advertising opportunity could be something good for people trying to get the word out about their skills.

Here's why I (me personally and nobody else) thought charging a fee for this would be a good idea:

* it would limit participation to those that are serious about their craft giving the specialty forum more value as a real resource for people looking for a service to be performed (rather than having 3872 people posting about that their cousin would like to mow lawns and us buyers having to search through gazoodles of listings)

* it would require GM to spend his time setting up a new forum and subscription deal

* it would give a small income to MAAST that could be used in reaching our education goals, etc. I am guessing all these events, speakers, venues, etc. aren't free

* it would make it more fair to advertisers/sponsors that have purchased the 'big' sponsor ad pack

Honestly I don't know why this is so upsetting to people. I thought offering an option, an opportunity like this would be of benefit for both buyers as well as sellers.

Obviously nobody would be forced to participate. It's like you can buy the Big Mac Supersize Meal, or you can buy just a JR burger, or you can choose to not get anything at all. Don't like it? Don't buy it!

And just to make sure this is understood:
I had an idea. I thought it was a good idea. I thought lots of people on here could benefit from it. I didn't ask anybody before I posted this here for their input or permission. There's no need to wonder if this is some money making scheme from the MAAST organization because the organization had no input on this.