On 28 Jan 2004 10:06:38 -0500 Bruce Dawson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > I believe you have your gripes with the group - considering all the > "waffling" we've done on the "formalization" of the group. No, it was never a point of dispute. I believe there is value in having a legal entity for the organization regardless of how "formal' it is or not. > I am opposed to asking for fees from > "members" to support the "formalization". I think membership fees are a normal part of many clubs and organizations, but having said that, it is also true those groups do something of value for the members with those fees. Not sure what that would be with GNHLUG and without something of value for the members, I would also object to membership fees. Clearly not just for the formalization process. OTOH, is it fair to expect people who are dedicating their time and energy to also contribute their money to provide refreshments at a meeting or food at a party or print t shirts or announcements? I think not. You, Maddog, Jerry and others have contributed no small amount in the past, but I don't think it fair to rely upon a few. If you cannot contribute code or docs, contributing money is another way to support an open source project and GNHLUG is not exception. Either by dues or by contributing freely as the need arises. > Seems to me, we just need someone to "take charge" and do it - if we > don't like it, then we can leave. Sorta like what maddog did back in > the early days - when things were exciting. I agree, but to sustain the organization we need more that a series of folks who will take charge until their energy, time, and money run out. At least to provide a degree of continuity regardless of the degree of formality the group elects to have. I really have no great desire for formality and I suspect the personalities of many of us are more attuned to an informal group. That said, there are valid reasons for some structure and organization depending upon what GNHLUG does and where it wants to go. For example, lets say I have an idea of providing a retirement center with a network with Internet access using Linux as a showcase and simply to do a good thing. Do you think it matters if I talk to the head of the retirement center as just a guy off the street with some vague collection of friends who call themselves GNHLUG or if I go as a representative of a state organization called GNHLUG? If we want to reach beyond ourselves, then some degree of structure becomes important. Ed Lawson _______________________________________________ Gnhlug-org mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-org
