Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 17:21:49 -0230 (NDT)
From: dapike@math.mun.ca (David Pike)
To: PIKE-DNA-L@rootsweb.com
Subject: General Fund and Waiting List

Greetings.

For some time now the Pike Surname DNA Project has had a General Fund
into which people can donate.  The monies collected could then be used
to help underwrite the costs of tests for new participants to the project,
which could help some people to get involved who otherwise might not be
able to afford to.  The fund is mentioned in the "FAQ" and "How to Join" 
pages of the project website:

  www.math.mun.ca/~dapike/family_history/pike/DNA

Occasionally I receive inquiries from prospective participants who are
curious about whether they might be able to derive some assistance from
the fund.  I'm pleased to be able to say that to date these have all
been accommodated.

My intent with this email is not to solicit donations to the fund,
although I will at least take advantage of this opportunity to point out
that all remaining monies in the funds are currently committed.

My real intent with this email is to inform everybody that I've now
taken to maintaining a Waiting List of people who want to join the
project, but seek support from the General Fund so that they can do so.
As I write this email, the waiting list is empty.  However, I have just
sent emails to a number of people that have previously expressed
interest in the project, but have not subsequently joined.  Why these
(and other) people have not joined yet I do not know, but my suspicion
is that the cost of getting tested is too much of a deterrant for many
of them.  Being put on the waiting list, along with a description of
their family lines, could help to stimulate additional interest in
the project (especially in cases where a new-comer to the project
website sees that a potential match to his/her line is sitting on the
waiting list).

Several of you have likely been in touch with various Pike's who have
shown some interest, but who have not gotten involved.  I invite you
to pass this email along to them, so that they can at least be made
aware of the possibility of getting placed onto the waiting list.

Thanks,

- David.