[Noisebridge-discuss] Bylaw structure consensus

[Mark Cohen]

David and Rachel,

Thank you for your responses! They helped tremendously.

If at all possible, I'd like to see the language of the bylaws reflect  
the definitions/explanations here. I think it would really help.

This is a wonderful example of why I think this group will succeed.

-Mark


On Apr 28, 2008, at 12:47 AM, David Molnar wrote:

> Mark Cohen wrote:
>> I really wish I could have been there today, so please forgive my  
>> questions.
>> 1. When you say "Sustained contribution over a period between 2-3  
>> months" do you mean Financial or Volunteer contribution.
>
> My take is "either or both - whatever is recognized by the other  
> members." I recognize not everyone can pay the same amount per  
> month, and some people we want to be part of the club may not be  
> able to pay much or at all. I feel like we can make those decisions  
> as we add people on a case by case basis.
>
> As I see it, when a person joins they will commit to a certain dues  
> structure, which will be discussed by the current members before the  
> person joins. The Treasurer will be responsible for ensuring that  
> the person is paid up.
>
> If the person later needs to change his or her dues, that seems to  
> me something the Board of Directors should be able to do without  
> needing to call a general meeting. (and if there is abuse of that  
> power, this is a case when the Members throw them out.) Each  
> person's dues are public, like the pledges we currently have on the  
> wiki. So if there is a question about why Alice pays X and commits  
> to doing Y, while Bob pays W and commits to doing Z, we can have a  
> discussion as a club.
>
> Again, if you look at the pledges page, we do have a range of  
> commitments there. The main thing we will run into, of course, is  
> that once we have a space we'll have rent to make each month. It may  
> be the case that we'd have to have some minimum level of money from  
> each person to make rent. That seems like a discussion we can have,  
> however, after we incorporate - the bylaws just need to state dues  
> are required and how they are set for each member, but not  
> necessarily exactly how much.
>
>> 2. Can you define "Hanging Out"- Do you mean physical presence, or  
>> actually doing something. (by something, I mean for the greater  
>> good of the organization)
>
> I meant it as physical presence - a new person starts by just  
> showing up. Then they demonstrate contribution and show they are  
> ready to be a member by doing something. Does that make sense?
>
> -David Molnar
>