I think there are a lot of considerations here and a lot of things that must be done before we can reasonably consider this. Personally I think money, if collected should be done on a case by case basis and certainly nothing formal because as John has pointed out it will be a serious chore the accounting and responsibilities. Right now the Taug is very rich and active because of all the people involved in the lively discussions, we really have to weigh in how voluntary dues would help and what we really need them for. So I think when and if the time comes that we as a group really need money to do something (so far we haven't needed any money and have been very successful in our goals) then we should consider it then. For the time being lets do it case by case. My two cents worth.
------ Shidan On 3/13/06, John Van Ostrand <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > On Mon, 2006-03-13 at 14:05 -0500, Reza - Asterisk Enthusiast wrote: > > *Founders & Members of Taug:* > > > > I guess this group was set up in 2004. Now it's 2006 - almost 2 years. > Though I have attended only 2 or 3 meetings, I have learnt a LOT and of > course met and made new friends. This is how I feel about TAUG. It is one > of the rare community groups that does not charge an annual membership. > > > I also have found TAUG to be a great benefit to me and a great resource > for bouncing off telephony ideas. > > > I belong to a number of other non-profit groups. Some of the groups out > there, registered as a non-profit, are not worth the dollar to be quite > frank. > > > > My suggestion is to open a bank account for TAUG - and MOST banks offer > 100% free accounts for non-profits and community groups. So we will not > have to worry about a monthly bank maintenance fee that can range between $5 > and $25 / month. The expenses as a result of the TAUG fund can be provided > as open disclosure to all members - because I have no doubt it would be put > to good use. > > > The contribution isn't a problem. But one has to think about what to do > with the money. Right now it's a trade show and the people putting the money > in know where it's going. Allow me to play devil's advocate. When the shows > are over, what should be done with the excess? Charity, pizza for those that > attend, a book library, also for attendees? There may be members that > disagree with where the money is being put to use. > > Also the ongoing work of accounting for the money is another issue. For > many it is a boring and thankless task. I'm not a lawyer so I have no idea > if doing this without a formal designation is "legal", but if a gray area > exists, it may represent a liability for the the person who takes the > reigns. > > > What I propose - is those who are willing to make a contribution larger > than $5, well... TAUG aught to accept it with a smiling face :). I think > it would be nice to have a *voluntary* $5 or $10 annual dues. Those who > wish to financially support, excellent... and those who want to hang out & > learn, why not. > > > > I am willing to make a substantially larger amount than $5 - to support > TAUG annually, and I suspect others are likely to do that also. I hereby > pledge $50 CDN (to start off) supporting future works and activities of > TAUG. I wish others will follow with a pledge of at least $5. Please reply > to this post if you are willing to pledge any amount, to show support for > the TAUG group, to help support its founders & dedicated knowledge > contributors carry on their wonderful activities. > > > > Still in the end it can be nice to have a little money for things like > this. I would be glad to contribute for my company as well. I just don't > want to see those involved end up with more than they wanted in > responsibilities. > > -- > *John Van Ostrand* *Net Direct Inc.* *Director of Technology* 564 > Weber St. N. Unit 12 > Waterloo, ON N2L 5C6 > map<http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=Net+Direct+Inc.,+564+Weber+St.+N.+Unit+12,+Waterloo,+ON+N2L+5C6,+canada&ll=43.494599,-80.548222&spn=0.038450,0.073956&iwloc=A&hl=en> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ph: 519-883-1172 ext.5102 Linux Solutions / IBM > Hardware <http://www.netdirect.ca> Fx: 519-883-8533 > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > Version: GnuPG v1.4.1 (GNU/Linux) > > iD8DBQBEFc9LVNQ815ieHXcRAmy9AJ4qqB6swSEpYLWpsYLTA4ajGhbLHACcCDnr > TbvE5wcmn4AjjOKHJXD+VZs= > =C37C > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > > >
