I agree that the Bylaws are extremely vague as to how one becomes a
member, and the responsibilities of membership, e.g. maintaining a
web site. However, I am not sure adding a "supporting" membership
category is the answer to the question of funding. "Members" are
entitled to privileges and benefits as well having responsibilities.
It would be hard to argue that donating money is a privilege or benefit <g>
OTOH, anyone (member or not) can give a gift to the USGW. Subject to
whatever current restrictions by the IRS, in the U.S., generally
neither the gifter or the giftee owe taxes on the gift. The
difference from a charitable donation is that gifts are not tax
deductible by the donor.
To my mind, the major stumbling block in the Bylaws is IX.B.
prohibiting solicitation of funds for personal gain as such is
defined. However, as I interpret it, the restrictions appear to me to
apply to hosting, obtaining content, and services (such as look-ups)
related to our web sites. I believe we could ask for gifts under the
current by-laws for other types of expenses such as convention fees,
booths, and supplies; trademark registration and renewal fees;
software development and maintenance, etc.
Pat Asher
At 12:53 PM 6/29/2016, Patrice wrote:
The USGenWeb Bylaws don't define membership very well. The only
requirement for membership in The USGenWeb Project is a desire to
assist in gathering and disseminating genealogical and historical
information for free online access by researchers.
The only other place that members are mentioned is under Elections:
F. All members of The USGenWeb Project, excluding Look-Up Volunteers
and Transcribers, shall be eligible to vote.
The bylaws do not address how one becomes a member of the
project. I consider that a glaring omission.
Since there is no actual definition of a member, perhaps we could
have a supporting membership for the general public. Then we would
not be soliciting anything but membership. Would that work?
Rel@ively,
Patrice
At 6/29/2016 07:19 AM, Pat Asher wrote:
>There is a big difference between accepting donations from our
>members, and soliciting the general public for support.
>
>A couple of years ago, I organized some of my thoughts on the pros
>and cons of the latter:
><http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~patasher/perspectives/incorporationProsnCons.html>
>
>Pat Asher
>
>
>
>At 05:23 PM 6/28/2016, Patrice via wrote:
>>Ladies and Gentlemen,
>>
>>I think it is time we address the subject of monetary donations to
>>USGenWeb and the various state projects. I am beginning to think
>>perhaps it should be permissible for USGenWeb, States and Counties to
>>accept donations to pay for web hosting and domains, etc. Times have
>>changed. Wikipedia asks for help, as does Mozilla and many
>>others. They are all free -- just like USGenWeb.
>>
>>I think we all agree that the use of USGenWeb should always be free,
>>but our sites can be helpful. People may wish to support us financially.
>>
>>What are the pros and cons?
>>
>>Rel@ively,
>>Patrice
>>
>>
>>
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>