[CTJUG Forum] Re: Membership fees [Was: CT JUG]

[Ben van der Merwe]

My experience with SPIN and our own research and discussions support Mike's position. Once there is money involved it has to be accounted for. You have to have a bank account. Signing rights. People want to see a budget. The peanut gallery grows. You have to formalize roles and procedures. I don't think the overhead is worth it unless there are significant funds involved. In my opinion the big challenge with these "office-less" organizations is to keep things lean so that they are inherently sustainable. It's much easier to deal with special events in an ad hoc manner. Having said that, the CT-SPIN is also looking at a formal constitution and election procedures, essential for continuity. So I'm following this conversation with great interest. Mike Morris wrote: Dr Heinz M. Kabutz wrote: Ok, so it may be necessary if we had a membership fee? Or could we operate as a club? Not necessary if you're just collecting membership fees. Only necessary if you're (say) holding a raffle at the local mall to raise funds where you're asking the public for money. Don't overcomplicate this. On the subject of , I would strongly oppose a paid membership scheme as unnecessary and destructive of community-building. I see no problem with charging for specific events - e.g. Speakers from overseas - at least then individuals have the choice of participation in the single event without jeopardising their standing in the community. In the main, though, the expenses of local meetings are so trivial that sponsorship by local Java companies easily meets the need, and has never yet presented a problem. In my experience of numerous user-groups, community groups, etc., once money enters the picture the organisation goes downhill fast. -- Ben van der Merwe [EMAIL PROTECTED] --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CTJUG Forum" group. To post to this group, send email to CTJUG-Forum@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/CTJUG-Forum -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---