RE: [atlarge-discuss] Membership fees

["Jeff Holt" <jefftttt@txucom.net>]

@Large,

Bruce hits the nail on the head with this point.  The graduated dues
structure would no doubt be cumbersome and lead to a huge discussion
over what measures to use, how to classify areas, and how to verify an
individual to a particular country/region.

That leaves the most effective recourse as e-commerce.  Now this also
opens up a can of worms, for there are many, many avenues which might be
explored.  With the idea of a "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval"
concept, as ICANN-at-Large, the name recognition might be a valuable
commodity.  Since we do have a web presence (or will have one when the
Panel finds time to sort out the Web Committee) there could well be
income generated through reciprocal arrangements with other
organizations or commercial entities. The thought even comes to mind
that commercial memberships could be "sold" to small businesses
worldwide, at the same time enlisting the "bottom rung" of Domain
holders that is the broadest base for the Internet.  

Additionally there are the more obvious avenues of licensing products.
As we have the right to the ICANN-at-large name as much as the other
bunch, if not more so, why not take fullest advantage of that rather
than decrying the ills of the parent.  It is within this organization's
reach to give the acronym true meaning.

Sincerely,
 
Jeff Holt
Jefftttt@txucom.net
www.tejas-info-services.com
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: bruce@barelyadequate.info [mailto:bruce@barelyadequate.info] 
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2003 7:12 PM
To: atlarge-discuss@lists.fitug.de
Subject: RE: [atlarge-discuss] Membership fees

This is a general response to this thread.

This may be one of the harderest decisions we make.  On the one hand, I
agree that his organization needs funds if it wants to be effective.
However, any level of dues we set that would provide significant funding
for
our organization would also likely be an unreachable burden for many of
our
potential members.   And I am unalterably opposed to basing the
influence of
a member in this organization to their level of financial support!  The
very
idea is anathema to the bottom-up philosophy may of us have fought to
make
real for years!

So, as I see it, this leaves us with two options:

	-  A graduated dues tied to the member's local economy in some
fashion.

	-  Finding funding in some other fashion: donations,
fund-raising
(e-commerce?), etc.

Bruce Young
Portland, Oregon USA
bruce@barelyadequate.info
http://www.barelyadequate.info
--------------------------------------------
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Go to http://www.icannatlarge.org and Join ICANN At Large!



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