Author By : Joel Ratner
Author title : Vilna Gubernia Vital Records Coordinator
Author email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Over the last few days, I have received a few queries regarding the terms of the VRT Special Offer. This message will try to answer those queries.

1. Participation of Kovno towns in the Special Offer - I re-posted the offer yesterday after adding the Kovno provisions.The additional terms are as follows:

Added provision - Kaunas or Vilijampole researchers who've made qualifying donations of at least $100 may add a single surrounding town within Kovno district (not gubernia) for $80. This is only for the Kovno uyezd.
As with the rest of the offer, these terms expire on Sept. 1, 2009. After that, the cost of the translations for either Kovno or Vilijampole goes up to $150 each.
This gives an incentive for researchers to get in on a good deal in the near future. Such efforts will assist the SIG in completing the translations for all towns.

2. District Research Group donors - I have received inquiries from researchers who have supported various District Research Groups in the past who now ask about what they qualify for under the Special Offer. The Offer specifically stated the District Research activities are disconnected from the Vital Records Project and these projects have no bearing on each other. This means that District Research donations have no relation to qualifying for the Special Offer.

3. "Grandfathering" - I have also been asked what this term refers to. The Special Offer was worded as follows:

Special Offer Part II - Single Town

The second part of the offer is simply to restate the existing rate structure for a single town. This rate, which has been $100 until now=, will remain at this level through Sept. 1, 2009 and continue thereafter except for the towns of Vilna, Vilijampole and Kovno. The rates for these three towns will go up to $150 as of Sept. 2, 2009.

Single town researchers for these three towns are incentivized by this new structure to contribute as soon as possible to avoid the rate increase. These particular increases are based on experience with this project, the large number of records (Vilna City has approximately 170,000 records) as well as the number of paid up donors over seven years time. The $100 rate for all other towns was kept at this level in order to continue to offer as much value as possible.

Researchers who have given $100 in the past (prior to 6/30/2009) are g randfathered. The period established from now through Sept. 1, 2009 was established to allow new researchers to take advantage of the existing rate structure. Grandfathered researchers for Vilna, Vilijampole and Kovno are encouraged, if possible, to continue donating to their towns, if only at a reduced level, to assist the fundraising as much as possible. Donors capable of making annual contributions to the VRT project are encouraged, although this is not required.

The term "grandfathered" is in relation to donors who contributed to the VRT project in the amount of $100 or more prior to the initiation of the Special Offer. This clause is meant to explain that prior $100 VRT contributors would continue to receive translations for the town they indicated when they made their past contribution.

Overall Comments

In general, the provisions of the Special Offer give the following discounts up until Sept. 1, 2009:
Addition of one town for existing $100 donors for an additional $80 - this is a 20% discount over the normal $100

Addition of two towns for existing $100 donors for an additional $150 - this is a 25% discount over the usual $200

The VilnaVRTPlus provides the most benefit to existing $100 donors, giving them an additional 3 towns for just $150 additional - a discount of 50% over the usual $300.

These discounts are not inconsiderable yet are designed to be attractive to the researcher interested in additional towns at a lower cost. In fact, these discounts, when compared to the cost structure after Sept. 1, are even more of a bargain. After that date, records for Vilna, Kovno and Vilijampole go up to $150 for each town. It should become obvious the Special Offer is a deal in any sense of the word.
Researchers who may be on the fence because they have not yet contributed to the VRT project should be encouraged to also get in at this time. The savings in the Special Offer are open not only to those who are past $100 donors, but also includes those who care to join prior to Sept. 1.

Summary

The timing of the Special Offer is such that it will be in effect for almost two months, including during the Philadelphia conference. Anyone who still has unanswered questions at that time who is in attendance should seek out SIG personnel who can answer your questions. Contributions to the VRT project can also be turned in at the Conference.