[LUAU] Another Bylaw to Chew On

[George Toft]

Zachary P. Taylor wrote:
> 
> I agree with most of it, except dues. It was started as a free group, and
> should always remain so.

I think the time has come to consider dues.  For example,
let us suppose we decide to have a presence at a show or 
convention (we were going to have one at the Networking Expo
last December).  How are we going to decorate the booth?
By using a banner, or sign.  These cost about $200.  

Let us further suppose the group decides - by a vote of 
30 to 20 (work with me here) - to buy a sign.  $200 divided
by 50 LUAU members is $4 each.  The 30 who wanted it pony
up $4 each, but the 20 who did not want the sign say "I don't
want the sign, so I'm not paying."  LUAU is not a taxing 
authority, so we can't make them pay.  So now we have $120
for a $200 sign.

This leads to two possible scenarios: 
1) The 30 who want the sign pay $6.33 each and get the sign.  
This is not fair for the majority to pay for something that all 
benefit from.  It's like someone eating the pizza at the meetings 
that the majority paid for and not putting in their $6.00.  
2) We make our own sign using a word processor and paper, and
tape it together out of 8-1/2 by 11" printer paper.  This gives 
us a real professional image, and people are sure to take us 
seriously - NOT!!!

If we have 50 members and collect $12 per year ($1/month) per
member, that gives us $600 per year to work with.  We can get 
a sign, and buy anything else we may need to support promoting 
Linux.

Linux started off in the "hacker" (old connotation) world, but
is now becoming very commercial.  In the same vein, I think it's
time for us to "commercialize" (or at least consider it).  

I realize adding money to the equation adds to the complexity
by an order of 10, so we should revisit this issue after we 
re-organize - we have enough on our plate now.
-- 
George Toft    http://gtoft.dynip.com/LinuxAdvocate/

In self-defense, all Microsoft Office attachments 
are refused.  Please don't send them.
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