[LUAU] Another Bylaw to Chew On

[Michael Sawyer]

My normal rule is that I'll make one comment on a subject, speak my peace, and 
not argue it, since that only leads to possible flame wars.  I'm going to break 
that rule now.  :>

First off, I want to make it clear I wasn't arguing *for* dues, only that they 
should not be dismissed out of hand.  The arguments against them are compelling, 
and I would probably be inclined to vote against them personally.  My point was 
that if all voices are equal, if there are a good number of people who feel that 
dues are an option to be discussed, it's not right or fair for one or two people 
to shut that discussion down with a blanket statement "We will never have dues," 
especially if the discussion comes up in an appropriate place at an appropriate 
time.

I guess the issue I have isnt so much with dues themself, but with the mindset 
that some topics are simply not open for discussion by anyone, because of what 
one person says, regardless of who that person is.  I'll fully agree with the 
statement "We shouldn't have dues," but I will equally fully disagree with the 
statement "We can't ever consider dues" or even "We can't consider dues now."

I read the Linux User Group HOWTO the other night, and it struck me that we are 
in a phase mentioned in that document, where there is a shift from a "benevolent 
dictatorship" to a formal group of leaders.  I also think that by doing so, the 
group is allowed to grow and prosper better than without the organization.  Do I 
think it is appropriate to include a clause in the by-laws which prohibits dues? 
Absolutly.  Would I vote for it?  More than likely yes.  Do I think we should 
state that they can never be changed under any circumstances?  No; doing so sets 
a precidence of binding future leadership to a course dictated by the present 
leadership, which shows an inherent lack of trust in future leaders to respond 
to the situation at hand.

						Mike
						

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