Dear All:
I'm sorry I couldn't be present on last Tuesday. Sounds like a lot was accomplished.
I work in a membership organization, so I've got a couple suggestions about dues.
Trying to keep track of a different registration date for every member is a nightmare. For the administrators and the members.
At my organization, our year runs from July 1 through June 30. The model goes like this:
Full year dues cover the full fiscal year. If I pay $10.00 by June 30th of a 200x, my membership runs from July 1 201x to June 30, 201y.
Dues through June 30, 200y remain $10.00 until around Thanksgiving.
From Thanksgiving through Tax Day, I can pay half-year dues that run from the day I pay $5.00 through June 30, 200y. As a courtesy, if I pay between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, I'm considered a member from the day I pay through June 30, 200y
After Tax Day, we start accepting dues for 200y - 200z. If I pay $10.00 after Tax day, I'm paying for July 1, 200y - June 30, 200z. As a courtesy, I'm considered a member from the day I pay, but I can't vote in the end-of-year elections.
For a year that runs from October 1, 200x through September 200y, we'd have to pick different dates for triggering half-year dues and for starting to collect full-year dues for the subsequent year, but the model would remain the same. Using holidays for the triggers can help everyone remember.
The thoughts of one.
Best,
David
Date: Mon, 9 May 2011 06:09:37 -0400 From: messedrocker@gmail.com To: wikimedia-dc@lists.wikimedia.org Subject: [Wikimedia-DC] Details on membership
Hello all,
The last meeting ended with agreement that membership dues would be set at $10, with the fine details on how membership works to be decided at a later time. I have determined that we can use the mailing list to debate these details in a way that is congruous with our bylaws. Here is how. We will debate the details on this mailing list, with no action being taken (as action can only be taken at meetings held in the meatspace). As a result of the debate, someone will prepare a motion that will be introduced before the Board at the next meeting. Debate will certainly be allowed on it, but the idea is that since much of the debate will have already taken place on the mailing list, we won't be at square one. As this is a member organization I believe the actual membership structure should be in place as soon as possible, and by debating it on the mailing list we won't have to delay that debate until the next meeting.
Here are the current issues:
- It was agreed that membership is to be on an annual basis; i.e.,
each member pays $10 per year. But how will that work out? Can someone sign up at any time and then there will be rolling renewal? Or will all registrations and renewal take effect at the beginning of the new fiscal year on October 1? I personally recommend the rolling renewal system, since those who will want to take part will be able to do so right away. Someone who is interested in March may lose their enthusiasm by the time September comes along. Furthermore, a system to keep track of registration dates should honestly not be that difficult to make or maintain (I could create a tool on the toolserver that sends reminders).
- If we agree to adopt the plan where registrations and renewals can
only take effect at October 1, what should be done for registrations in the interim period between now and the next meeting? Should there be discounted registration, or perhaps free registration which expires September 30? (In other words, you would be able to register for free for the four month interim period, but to be a member through the next fiscal year would cost $10.)
Any other issues regarding membership? (If anyone is unsure about payment, I as the treasurer am willing to collect dues via cash, check made out to Wiki Society of Washington, DC, Inc., or possibly PayPal.)
Discuss.
-- James Hare
Wikimedia-DC mailing list Wikimedia-DC@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-dc