Should I treat MN premium like my union subs?

[PerspicaciaTick]

I've been prevaricating about paying for MN premium, I'm permanently a bit skint and don't like signing up for anything that is an ongoing expense at the moment.
But the GMB thread made me wonder if I'm thinking about it the right way? Should I treat MN premium like I approach union subs.
I belong to a union because I think they are generally A Good Thing (even if mine has a patchy record on proactive support). I support it because I want them to be there for myself and others, which is sort of how I feel about the MN community.
But what I would be looking for from MN in return for paying would be for MN to be more clearly political and campaigning in support of women and parents...but then that is a short step from WEP who I have already joined (and left).
I seem to be tying myself in knots.

That's definitely the spirit I signed up in.

I've been wondering the same thing myself, in the same sort of terms.

It was a no brainer for me - I happily paid up because I looked at all the people (mainly men) trying to shut it down and decided that I would support a business run and used primarily by women.
I thought it was a shame that so many posters saw it as an opportunity to vent their anger at MNHQ. (not saying that they're not entitled - free speech and all that).
But every time I look at the type of people frothing to shut it down - I see misogyny and loathing of women.

I signed up for premium on the basis that i have found Mumsnet a valuable repurchase and I have seen how many women it has helped. In addition it is one of the few spaces where women are actually allowed to discuss how trans issues affect sex based rights. It is still with moderation and despite what some would claim transphobia is not permitted. So for me the cost of premium is a price worth paying.

I've just signed up. Just felt right and although the FWR board is really the only one I use (I am a mum but a fairly self sufficient one, never really wanted much advice on that level) the fight for the rights of women and safety of children is very important to me and this is the best place to keep the loop and connect.

That’s a good way of looking at it. I’ve been thinking about signing up but haven’t but I think I should. I love the FWR topic but when my Father has dementia and I was trying to navigate the care system the Elderly Parents section was a god send

Sure, all the more so for anyone cancelling their GMB membership!

I hope MN are also looking at donations.

DC are young adults, but I too benefited from the elderly parents board, the education boards and others. I have also read some very moving, sometimes heartbreaking, posts on relationships, fostering and other topics.

If I am to donate anywhere I think I would get as much value, in terms of support for vulnerable women and children, from helping keeping this site viable.

And that is before we get to the appalling and blatant attempts to silence women.

I can't see any obvious way to sign up for the Premium membership - if it's still available.

A link was added in the GMB site stuff thread Nonny

It was a no brainer for me - I happily paid up because I looked at all the people (mainly men) trying to shut it down and decided that I would support a business run and used primarily by women.

This was it for me. Money well spent.

I'm now seriously considering it. After initially saying that I thought the premium was too expensive. I still think that £2.99 per month would rope them in greater income as more people would be happy to sign up.

I have also started encouraging companies to advertise on Mumsnet to reach millions of (mostly) women. With a significant proportion that appear to be affluent or have some disposable income.

Well I've done it. I've subscribed.

Let's see how this goes.

I'm not willing to sign up for it as I feel quite strongly about coerced speech and the gender identity guidelines remain. I see how MN are trying to walk the line, and partly appreciate the position they are in. It remains the place I come to discuss and share, I post far more than I used to and I've had the odd strike or deletion but I would rather pay money towards something that is going to help me. I have considered signing up for the Free Speech Union as I quite like their statement, and I like Douglas Murray and because whilst this is not a promise I'd hope that if I got into legal trouble I would have someone to turn to:

"If you’re punished by your employer because you’ve exercised your lawful right to free speech, we’ll do our best to provide you with legal assistance."

"We’re also in discussions with lawyers and insurance experts about setting up a fully-underwritten insurance scheme that will provide members with access to specialist lawyers and will completely cover any costs associated with legal action—unlike most other no win, no fee arrangements. For more details, see our Legal section."

freespeechunion.org/about/who-we-are/

That's pretty much why I signed up. I want MN to continue, and I'll be damned if I'll stand aside whilst the wokebros kill a much-needed resource.

Thanks, OvaHere.

I had forgotten about the Free Speech Union, OhHolyJesus. Good reminder about what they can offer in terms of protection for their members.

I'm also permanently a bit skint and I'm not signing up for that reason. I would otherwise, though, for similar reasons.

But what I would be looking for from MN in return for paying would be for MN to be more clearly political and campaigning in support of women and parents

Except that’s not what MN are offering in return for paying a subscription fee. It’s not on the table. It might be what you want, but paying for subscription gets you no closer to getting that than not paying for it.

It’s like your union offering support in workplace difficulties and you saying- well what I actually want is you to print your flyers on recycled paper. It’s not what they’re offering in return for your subs. They’re offering a specific thing and in MNs case it’s “fewer ads” and a vague promise of the site being better at some unspecified time.

Yup.

Signed up with the same thought but now looking for a new union.

@MrsOfBebbanburg, I realise that they aren't offering what I want, if they were my membership would be a nobrainer. But if I don't pay and MN folds...where does that leave the MN community, especially the feminist community?
Hence the knot tying 😕

If you don’t pay that will just be £4.99 (is that how much it is?) they aren’t getting. That won’t bring MN to its knees.

If MN folds (and I really really hope it doesn't) we will find each other on Spinster and reconnect somehow. Women always find a way.

That's the spirit I signed up in, yes.

No. I can't understand how it costs 350k a month in wages for 100 staff for a start.

I signed up to support MN, not for what it might offer me. Not that I'd turn down any specials or freebies!