Can't sleep. Might as well post.
In answer to BoD's question:
I was thinking about this transportation problem, and I think I have a solution. I would be willing to facilitate T-shirt stuff for a small fee (somewhere around min wage per hour for time spent, plus cost for materials, so maybe 2 bucks a shirt) no matter how large the orders may get. However, there are a few practical and legal problems:
a) How do we go about getting everyone's address? I know it's really not secure, but I think the best idea for now would be through email. You send your address to me (assuming I'm doing this t-shirt thing), I send you an address to send a check to, and once I get your check I will fill the order for the shirt. If this grows to a large-scale operation, we could set up a credit card system but I don't have any clue what that entails, though between CE and I we could probably program whatever needs to be done.
b) How do we handle security matters? Since there is a fairly large amount of personal info (career info, subject-related events, etc.) posted online it would be fairly easy, given a small amount of information, to track down someone in the GMF. I don't believe this will be a problem, but since the GMF is basically an all-inclusive organization we're eventually going to have some wierdos. This leads to the issue of return addresses and such.
A solution for this would be a P.O. Box. If we set one up specifically for the GMF, it will give away the town but (hopefully) nothing more. If anyone had ideas as to how we could handle this better, let me know.
c) What packaging do we put them in? Furthermore, how do we get that packaging? We need to box them, but where do we get the boxes? I think there's a place in town where people can buy boxes, but I'll have to go check.
d) Lastly, (and then I'll shut up) do we want other products besides t-shirts? If so, what and how would we produce them? In addition to that, who do we want working on this? As I said, I'm willing to do it (in fact, I'd love to) and believe I'm quite capable, but perhaps you'd want someone with more business experience.
In addition: do we want someone working on all GMF inventory as a part-time job, or do we split it up according to who can get the best prices?
Sorry if I'm thinking a bit far ahead. Some of my friends tell me it's a bad habit.
Anyway, I think that's all. If I think of anything else I'll be sure to talk your ears off again.
