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> From: Larry Peterson <[email protected]>
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: An OSI Policy Question
> Date: Thursday, March 27, 1997 1:28 PM
>
> Policy about Services instead of Fee:
>
> OSI Canada has decided thus far to require the fee for full membership.
Our
> fee is less--$35. Many of us are providing services to OSI
> Canada--Harrison's Books distribution, accounting, membership list,
> newsletter--but we all pay the minimum membership fee. Some of us are
> putting in a substantial amount of time. We are compensated for expenses,
> but not for time. As I stated in an eariler note, our individual
businesses
> are the formal organizational base for the training thus far. OSI Canada
> functions much more like a virtual organization in this way.
>
> The Steering Committee makes the governing decisions at this point and
the
> meetings are open to all who care to come. However, as we become more
> Canada-wide this will increasinlgy be an issue.
>
> Incorporation as a charitable organization in Canada (or even a
non-profit
> for that matter) means that no individual or board member could receive
any
> form of compensation for services rendered (except expenses).
>
> We have offered our Newsletter editor one compensation. Any project or
> workshop that gets OSI Canada support or sponsorship allows the
Newsletter
> editor to attend without paying the fees. (Again, she does pay the
> expenses--food, accomodation, etc.) She also does a write-up for the
newsletter.
>
> Given that we have a steering committee and not a board our "policies"
are
> emergent and recorded in our notes. Governance is by those who are most
> committed. I can envsion us having to face structural issues down the
road,
> if and when the size and decision making processes require it.
>
> Governing policies need to be as few as possible. Its the vision, mission
> and operating principles that are critical.
>
