Mark,
I started to type an email "call for support" to all WISPs, manufacturers, distributors and consultants that the time is now to step up to the plate and support WISPA. We now have over 400 members out of approximately 2500 WISPs in the country. That is only 20%. We need the financial and grassroots support of a much larger percentage of our industry participants so that we can have greater reach in our lobbying efforts, involving both from the legislative and administrative functions of our governments. As we continue to incur greater lobbying expenses each year, our need to involve more membership is becoming very evident. The TV Whitespaces lobbying expense in September was very high and brings to the forefront our need encourage greater participation from the Non-Member WISPs to join. I would like to see our membership jump to 75%. I assure you, if we can achieve that kind of penetration by getting everyone to sacrifice a little bit, the strength of our industry will increase substantially. When we go to manufacturers and other possible sources of additional revenue, they are often disappointed that we only have about 20% penetration. It is truly disappointing that more independent WISPs do not understand the importance of teaming up and the power it creates. Hopefully, I will write a better structured email in the near future to better describe the possible scenarios of banding together or not banding together. I hopefully have encouraged some with my words and if so, please sign up for principal membership at http://signup.wispa.org. WE ALL NEED YOU and WE STAND TOGETHER! I do hope that this email isn't discarded as just another WISPA membership call. This is a call to take part in your future and your business's future. Mark, your goals are good and achievable and with well thought out positions and wording they can impact elections and our future. Respectfully, Rick Harnish Executive Director WISPA 260-307-4000 cell 866-317-2851 WISPA Office Skype: rick.harnish. [email protected] From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of MDK Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 4:06 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: [WISPA] Sea Change - about the FCC This morning my favorite news site had yet another article about the FCC, labled "walking a fine line" where they're distancing themselves a bit from full on telecom style regulation and trying to sell some vague "in between" approach. To be honest, the electorate isn't in favor of ISP regulation at all. The political activists are counting on a Sea Change in Congress with the elections coming up soon, and are chomping at the bit for change, including having Congress direct the FCC BY VOTE to leave ISP's alone. A few Congresscritters and indeed, some of the apparently soon be elected ones are willing to be activist in this regard to roll regulations back. Is this something we could get WISPA to officially support? I realize that this may seem premature, however... 1. Political climates change fast. The activists to deregulate things are fired up big time. We'd be just one thing they'd love to add to the list of overreaches, but few grasp the whys or hows. However, if sit and wait, while making no noise, it is unlikely we'll get very far. 2. The public is almost universally unaware that we're supposed to create and support the ability to fully capture everything an individual client does. When I explain it to them, they get narrowed eyes and start to get quite hostile. We WOULD have great public support for repeal. 3. Considerable attention is being given to the cost of mandates, as a form of hidden tax on business. Of course, nothing is set in stone until its set in stone, but should the sea change occur that's being predicted, the new Congress will be actively searching for and attempting to repeal overreaches. Is WISPA prepared to go to bat for us in this regard? If not, why not, what's needed? WISPA needs a well written, clear, and unambiguous statement ready to go in January, should we have the opportunity to make our voices heard by ears that think we have not just a right to be heard, but are indeed, on our side. Is this where WISPA is willing to go? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Neofast, Inc, Making internet easy 541-969-8200 509-386-4589 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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