Orland.News memberships: How to support independent local reporting

A message from Todd Bishop, Orland.News:

Straightforward, independent local news is something that communities often lose and rarely get back. Since we started Orland.News five months ago, Steve Nordbye and I have been doing our best to defy this reality.

We’ve reported on schools, sports, police, fire, hotels, and the hospital; interviewed city leaders and civic watchdogs; spotlighted local success stories and forgotten heroes; explained the budget crunch and the ambulance debate; uncovered the city’s disputes with Willows and Glenn County; revisited key moments in local history; and answered many burning questions — sometimes literally burning! 

More than 2,300 of you have signed up, or about a quarter of the population. That proves how much Orland values local reporting. We’re having a lot of fun, and we want to make Orland.News a long-term community asset. But that takes time and resources. 

That’s why we’re asking for your help.

First, a key point: We plan to keep the vast majority of Orland.News content free for everyone, as a community service. Our paid membership options are just that — optional. If you’re already a free subscriber, your access to our coverage will continue, no action required. But if you choose to support our work financially, you’re helping to make it happen.

The process is quick and easy to support Orland.News by becoming a paid member. (See "How to upgrade" below.) Here are your options.

Membership levels

• Supporting Member ($5/month or $50/year): Get access to our occasional Orland.News meetups, help choose which community group we feature each month (through a member vote), and know you’re helping to keep Orland.News free for everyone.
• Founding Member ($10/month or $100/year): Get all Supporting Member benefits, plus optional recognition on our Founding Members page, a limited-edition Orland.News magnet as a token of our appreciation, and the knowledge you’re helping build a lasting foundation for local reporting.
• Contribution: Give any amount, as little or as often as you want. Anyone who gives $100 or more this year will receive Founding Member status.

Note: Contributions and membership fees are not tax-deductible. Orland.News LLC is not a nonprofit, although we are exploring that possibility long-term.

How to upgrade

If you’re already a free subscriber:

1. Go to Orland.News in your web browser and make sure you're signed in with the email you originally used to subscribe.
2. Click Account in the upper right, or go directly to your account page using this link.
3. Click the blue View plans button, choose your level, enter your card info, and be sure to click ‘subscribe’ to complete your transaction.

Please email me directly if you run into any issues signing up. Also get in touch if you'd prefer to send a check, and we can give you the details for that. toddbishop@gmail.com.

If you’re new to Orland.News:

1. Register with your email.
2. Pick Free, Supporting, or Founding membership at signup.

Other ways to support Orland.News

Spread the word: Tell friends and neighbors about Orland.News, share our stories and encourage them to subscribe. Every new free reader makes the site stronger.

Sponsorships: Local businesses can reach a highly engaged, concentrated audience on Orland.News. We believe it’s a much more effective investment than Facebook or Google ads, with the added benefit of supporting an independent local source of community news. Interested? Email info@orland.news.

What we hope to accomplish

Our initial goal is straightforward: We hope to raise enough funds for one full-time, locally based position. Steve, as many of you know, is doing an incredible job of reporting, listening, and engaging with the community to dig up stories and shine a light on what’s happening around town and behind the scenes. 

We know not everyone is able to contribute financially, or wants to chip in. That’s totally understandable — we get it. But we also know that many of you value having a local news service run by people who care about this town and its future as much as you do.

So thanks for your support, in whatever way you choose to show it.

— Todd Bishop, Orland.News, toddbishop@gmail.com.