[Chapter-delegates] [isoc-members-discuss] Steps toward enfrancisement (was Just another disenfranchisement)

[Gene Gaines]

This issue of membership is so very important.

How do we move forward? Stefan's suggestions (below) are on
the right track, in my opinion.

(I disagree with Stefan on one point.  I don't think it "Easy"
but rather something that is necessary.)

I understand the ISOC Board feels they might lose control, or
that they might hear from voices that are uncomfortable.

I say too bad.

Giving all ISOC members a voice, participation, a feeling that
they truly are members -- these are critically important.

I understand my making such statements is disagreeable.
That is too bad.  Too damned bad.

Time is passing. Too much time.

I propose to ask our two chapter representatives on the ISOC
Board to present a plan of action for ISOC members worldwide
to have a reasonable way of becoming real members. That is,
to have a way of joining, required to renew membership at
specific intervals, to be truly counted as ISOC members, and
to have some voice in ISOC voting.

I say Stefan's suggestions (below) are a good starting point.

Am I right?  Am I wrong? Please reply to me off-list so we
won't flood the list.  I will keep replies confidential.

If you dislike what I am saying, I am standing in clear view.
Take your best shot.

Gene Gaines
ISOC membership number 1338770
gene.gaines at gainesgroup.com
21500 Tamarack Ridge Square
Sterling, VA 20164 USA


On Saturday, October 8, 2005, 8:47:03 AM, Stefan wrote:

> At 13:57 08.10.05 +0200, Patrick Vande Walle wrote:
> -------------------------
>>Yes, that's simple enough. Add to that the individual needs to :
>>A. be able to transfer money abroad.
>>B. do it at a low cost or at least proportional to the amount they pay.

> Easy.
> You appoint a national "fee trustee", preferably the treasurer of a local
> chapter, if there is.
> People can send their fees locally (cheap) to that trustee, and (s)he in
> turn can do collective payments to abroad. And if that really is not
> possible, then (s)he can donate it to a local charity, preferably one that
> works in line with ISOC's goals.

> Low fees of members in developing countries are not to finance ISOC, but to
> a) separate between people who are committed and "just for fun" members.
> b) provide an automatic exit mechanism: people who don't pay anymore
>     get removed from the membership list.
> Both a) and b) make sure that the membership list has a meaning.

> Cheers,
> Stefan


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