Re: [DRAFT 1] Article 3: Membership

[Here is the first 'real' cut at writing the article since most people
seemed to agree with the basic principles. I think this looks fairly
good, but I'm sure it could use a little polishing.

--Nils.]

MEMBERSHIP
----------

Membership in this organization shall be open to all who meet the approval
of the membership committee. Members have the right and responsibility of
overseeing the board members, officers, and committees and ensuring that
they operate in accordance with the goals and principles of the
organization. All board members, officers, and committees are ultimately
responsible to the membership, and should act in accordance with its
wishes.

Contributing and non-contributing membership are available within
this organization. Members agree to help further and support the
principles and goals of this organization. All membership applications
and renewals will be reviewed by the Membership Committee. Applicants
must meet the criteria set forth in the charter of the Membership
Committee.

Members wishing to leave the organization may do so at any time by
notifying the membership committee of their desire for the membership to
be terminated.

Contributing Members
--------------------

To become a contributing member the applicant must apply for a
contributing membership and include a list of projects or free software
related activities that they have participated in (and what they
specifically have done) within the last two years (more may be included if
desired).

The contributing membership will expire two years from the date of
issue of the membership. The member will be notified one month before the
expiration of the membership and will be asked to send a renewal
application with a list of projects or free software related activities
that they have participated in within the last two years. If the
membership is not renewed, the member status will be downgraded to a
non-contributing member. To again become a contributing member at a later
time, the person can simply follow the renewal process.

Board members, by virtue of their office, are automatically granted the
status of contributing members.

Non-contributing Membership
---------------------------

To become a non contributing member, the applicant must apply for a
non-contributing membership. The membership will not expire.

Previously Nils Lohner wrote:
> The contributing membership will expire two years from the date of
> issue of the membership. The member will be notified one month before the
> expiration of the membership [.. snip snip ..]

Isn't one month a bit short? I'ld rather see that extended to 3 months.

Also, you list two types of membership here, but don't say what their
difference will be. Can I assume that will be determined by other
sections of the bylaws?

Wichert.

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On Thu, Mar 25, 1999 at 05:18:42PM -0500, Nils Lohner wrote:
> The contributing membership will expire two years from the date of
> issue of the membership. The member will be notified one month before the
> expiration of the membership and will be asked to send a renewal
> application with a list of projects or free software related activities
> that they have participated in within the last two years. If the
> membership is not renewed, the member status will be downgraded to a
> non-contributing member. To again become a contributing member at a later
> time, the person can simply follow the renewal process.

You realize, of course, that with a membership of 50,000 (which I consider
conservative) we would probably end up authenticating some 2,000 renewals
per month. I have grave concerns regarding our ability to create a
membership infrastructure that is able to actually assess the participation
of potential members in various free software projects. Perhaps some sort
of "vouching scheme" would be possible, but is obviously fairly easily
defeated.

--
___________________________________________________________________
Ean Schuessler Director of Strategic Weapons Systems
Novare International Inc. A Devices that Kill People company
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