Re: [atlarge-discuss] Membership fees

[Jeff Williams <jwkckid1@ix.netcom.com>]

Ron and all fellow members,

 Interesting response Ron.  But I must say that I don't think
we have a membership problem in Hati and that it is
extremely unlikely that we can solve Haiti's Internet
access problems, let alone their average wage
problem.

  However I am sure your efforts in Haiti were, and still
are greatly appreciated.  >;)

Ron Sherwood wrote:

> Good morning, Abel:
>
> Thank you for reminding our members that the Internet is not yet ubiquitous
> and that many have to pay dearly for access.
>
> I do some work in Haiti.  The average wage is $1 per day. Internet
> infrastructure is very poor and access is expensive by local standards.  To
> put things into perspective, a $5 membership fee (practically nothing to
> North Americans) is the equivalent of a week's wages.  Please imagine how
> many of our current members would subscribe if they had to pay a week's
> wages for membership.
>
> Even I would not pay a $2,000 membership fee [smile].
>
> Best regards, Ron Sherwood
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Abel Wisman" <abel@able-towers.com>
> To: "'Atlarge Discuss List'" <atlarge-discuss@lists.fitug.de>
> Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2003 8:05 AM
> Subject: RE: [atlarge-discuss] Membership fees
>
> > Jan,
> >
> > Are you saying that only members who can afford to pay dues are allowed
> > to influence decisions and be a part of the governing structure ?
> >
> > If so then forget everything about bottom-up and world-wide
> > participation, you just disqualified at least 1/3 of the world from
> > being an integral part of this organization.
> >
> > Walter's idea is more friendly, the "I was there" t-shirt if you pay but
> > no restrictions if you do not want or can not pay. I can imagine quite
> > some people who can not afford to pay even the smallest amount but who's
> > contributions can be very valuable.
> >
> > Can you tell me how much $ 5 is for a Argentinian and for a Vietnamese
> > or Chinese, or Russian for that matter ? In large parts of the world
> > this would constitute more then a month's salary, if they had a job to
> > go to.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Abel
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: atlarge-discuss-unsubscribe@lists.fitug.de
> For additional commands, e-mail: atlarge-discuss-help@lists.fitug.de

Regards,

--
Jeffrey A. Williams
Spokesman for INEGroup LLA. - (Over 131k members/stakeholders strong!)
"Be precise in the use of words and expect precision from others" -
    Pierre Abelard
===============================================================
CEO/DIR. Internet Network Eng. SR. Eng. Network data security
Information Network Eng. Group. INEG. INC.
E-Mail jwkckid1@ix.netcom.com
Contact Number: 214-244-4827 or 214-244-3801



---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: atlarge-discuss-unsubscribe@lists.fitug.de
For additional commands, e-mail: atlarge-discuss-help@lists.fitug.de