From: rjg@umnstat.stat.umn.edu (Robert J. Granvin)
Newsgroups: mn.uum
Subject: Re: Proposed constitution and bylaws
Date: 13 Aug 92 16:28:04 GMT
Distribution: mn
Organization: School of Statistics, University of Minnesota

I've only browsed this, so I'm technically not qualified to repond.
(So when has that ever stopped anyone?  :-)

|> The following are the proposed constitution and bylaws. Please discuss
|> them and suggest improvements.


|>         A. Active Membership
|>  
|>            Active Membership will be extended to all persons interested
|>            in UNIX, provided that:
|>                 1. a membership application is completed
|>                 2. current membership dues are paid
|>                 3. a person must have attended two of the last three regular
|>                    meetings.
|>                 4. Active members who fail to attend at least 2/3 of
|>                    the regular meetings will have their membership status
|>                    changed to non-active.  This requirement may be waived
|>                    for cause at the discretion Governing Board.

This is perfectly OK (distinguishing between active and non-active, though
one might choose to expand the definitions.  A person can be very active in
the organization (should it expand beyond meetings), yet not be able to 
attend 2/3rds of meetings.  This criteria should be very open to change
and modification as the organization evolves (i.e., explicitly stated).

|>         B. Non-active Membership
|>  
|>            Non-active Membership will be extended to all persons interested
|>            in UNIX, provided that:
|>                 1. a membership application is completed
|>                 2. current membership dues are paid
|>  
|>            Non-active members who fail to attend at least one of the regular
|>            meetings in any twelve month period or show other interest in
|>            retaining their membership status will be dropped from the membership
|>            records.

Bad.   Or at least bad wordings.

Simply put, you can _not_ drop members who have paid membership dues.  Once
you accept their money, you are obligated to carry them as members and
provide service as long as they continue to pay their membership dues.

A person who pays their membership dues annually but does not attend 
meetings, does not respond to letters, does not vote on topics, or 
whatever may be offered/presented to that member, cannot be dropped from
the roster.  A "non active" (as noted here) categorization is perfectly
fine, however.

If you want control over the roster and ability to set criteria a member
must meet to maintain a membership, then you cannot accept cash.  Once
you accept money, you have entered into a contract with the individual.

|>            Corporate membership:
|> ** Any suggestions welcomed

Rats nest.  :-)

|>         B. In considering any question before a General Membership meeting,
|>            only Active members are eligible to vote, one quorum has been
|>            established.

You may want to clarify here again what determines an active member.
Otherwise, you should provide a method for an "inactive" member to
become active again.  Would that be achieved by attending two of the
last three meetings prior to the meeting where a vote is held?  And
more esoterically, would that voting meeting count as one of the two
meetings?


Next, specify clearly what a paying member receives for his or her
membership.  Does this include a newsletter?  If so, what's the
frequency?  Finally, does UUM have a 501(c)3 or plan to obtain one?

-- 
Robert J. Granvin                                       School of Statistics
rjg@umnstat.stat.umn.edu                             University of Minnesota