[chapter-delegates] New Membership Level

[Władek Majewski]

Jim,

> I want to say clearly that the new membership level is a 
> benefit that ISOC is offering and it is completely separate from the 
> benefits that Chapters offer.

No, it is NOT separate.

First, you decided to disregard all chapter members and display your 
disdain to all of us by labeling us "associate".

Second, you just let us know that our work and commitment to ISOC has a 
price which is estimated to be well below $75/year. All we do can buy us 
only a  "associate" membership which does not make us a trusted enough 
to be entitled to vote. OTOH anyone who sends your way a mere $18.825 
gets a right to directly nominate his representative to ISOC BoT 
immediately after he signs 251 cheques for $75 each.

Third, it is all about money for ISOC staff. Every organisational 
"member" gets not only the right to vote for BoT representative (the 
more you pay, the more voting power you buy) but as a bonus there are a 
"complimentary" private memberships to give a company as way to 
influence a choice of representatives of individual members.

Fourth, the first direct result of new membership level will be dilution 
of  a chapter position in their country or area. Every prospective ISOC 
member will have a choice: to join chapter and pay chapter's membership 
fees, to join ISOC directly and pay your fee or to join both and pay two 
separate bills as we would be a two completely separate entities.

 > we do not expect Chapters to actively sell ISOC memberships.

How can we promote chapter's membership without promotion of ISOC 
membership as well?

Currently cost of our marketing efforts must be covered by harvested 
members fees. In future chapter will be responsible for all promotional 
spendings and efforts but you will collect 5 times higher fees.

 > our principal focus is growing Chapters and their membership.

The whole idea is so inflamatory that it is clear that intention is to 
get rid of chapters and free members.

> Certainly you should make your members 
> aware that it is there and point them to the ISOC web site for details

Certainly we will make our members aware that direct ISOC membership is 
intended to limit chapter's position by "divide and rule" style of 
imperial policy.

> For example, the membership system is about supporting Chapters

Really? Which way it is going to be usuable for chapters?

> Finally, a few people have called for ISOC to withdraw the new paying 
> membership level.

Yes, it is the last moment to do it.

> Chapters will suffer if members join ISOC instead of Chapters

Would you dare to deny it?

> growing and supporting Chapters and the Associate Members 
> that go with them is a top priority of ISOC.

What will you offer us?

> continue to do the job they are doing without being burdened by an ISOC 
> fee.

We will be more than happy to share our revenues with ISOC headquaters 
to the same extend to which ISOC proved its readiness to share its 
revenues with us.

Regards

Wladyslaw Majewski
ISOC Polska




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