----- Original Message -----
From: "Tina S. Vickery" Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007
3:45 PM
Subject: Contingency Discussions - re: masthead
negotiation/discussion
In conjunction with the masthead negotiations/discussions,
the Board and I feel that a contingency discussion is also
prudent to have.
I offer the below as discussion points only. We welcome all
Project members to express their concerns, opinions and to
ask questions.
Please forward to XXGenWeb Project lists.
Again, below is intended as discussion points *only*. Main
discussion will take place on the -Discuss list.
Subscription information is available at:
http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/USGenWeb/USGENWEB-DISCUSS.html
Please have courtesy and respect for your peers and the
hosts of our mailing lists as we have this discussion.
If you wish to contact Advisory Board members privately
their names and email addresses are available at:
http://www.usgenweb.com/about/advisoryboard.shtml
Tina Vickery
National Coordinator
USGenWeb Project
-----------------
Our USGenWeb Project bylaws state:
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE "Section 1. The USGenWeb Project is an
organized group of volunteers working to create an online
center for genealogical research by linking every county in
the United States. The purpose of this organization shall be
to gather genealogical and historical information for free
online access by researchers". Key phrase being: "free
online access by researchers".
The bylaws make no reference to which server any member or
project of the USGenWeb Project must use. Long set
precedence allows for the use of "server of one's choice."
That choice extends to county, parish, town, special
project, etc., and the USGenWeb National pages.
As a Project, we are at a crossroads. Rootsweb and its
parent company have been a very gracious and accommodating
host for many years. And as a Project we would be remiss
not to appreciate that.
However, some corporate changes and decisions of late have
placed the USGenWeb Project in a tenuous position. We need
to evaluate their business decisions vs. our mission of
providing "... free online access by researchers."
This is a huge decision and discussion. It is a decision as
to whether or not to stay with our current host. It is a
discussion I feel that must be held in conjunction with the
masthead discussion. It is a discussion and decision that we
must have as the USGenWeb Project community.
The key question for the USGenWeb Project to discuss is: How
important is it that we are seen in the genealogy community
as the "USGenWeb Project .. Land of Free Genealogy"?
Having answered that question, we need to evaluate many
things. We have three domains: .org, .net and .com
We need to consider hosting, specialized tools [php, db,
etc], maintenance, administration, financing and security,
to name a few. We need to make choices to promote the growth
and future of the USGenWeb Project.
Please understand these concerns are for the *national pages
only*, but I feel a very important discussion to have with
the entire USGenWeb Project membership.
Bottom line is what is best for the USGenWeb Project?
Tina Vickery