Free-Net PAT computers and their users will not subject to an annual access fee. This fee will ensure that SFN can continue to pay for phone line rental charges and our internet feed. By introducing an access fee dialup policy, the Saskatoon Free-Net will be able to achieve its mission and goals. The Saskatoon Free-Net board has struggled to maintain the health and vitality of the SFN during 1997. Despite the best efforts of the Board and volunteers the free-net will be out of funds within a very short period of time.
Drastic action is required.
The Board was elected at the last Annual General Meeting by the members to act on their behalf to manage the free-net. The Board has responded to the crisis by adopting the new access fee dialup policy and the new membership fee. Fundraising and sponsorship revenues have helped to support the efforts of the free-net but the costs outstrip our resources. Many Free-Nets have faced a similar funding crises and implemented the dialup access fee as early as 1993. It is to the credit of the Saskatoon Free-Net that we were able to maintain free universal access for such an extended period of time.