[PLUG] David Mandel - Where are you?

[John Cadigan]

In hopes that your right and God knows would stop the "pissy" Squabbles, et.
al., Amen!
 
-------Original Message-------
 
From: plug at lists.pdxlinux.org
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2004 13:50:28
To: plug at lists.pdxlinux.org
Subject: Re: [PLUG] David Mandel - Where are you?
 
On Thu, 2004-01-22 at 12:57, Robby Russell wrote:
> Dan Haskell wrote:
> > On Thu, 22 Jan 2004, Robby Russell wrote:
> > 
> > 
> >>Just curious if PLUG has a donation system or something that helps pay 
> >>for promotional stuff, hosting, etc. I am not saying that it is wrong, 
> >>just wasn't aware that such a financial backing existed in PLUG.
> >>
> >>No concerns, just curiousity.
> > 
> > 
> > PLUG does not have a bank account. Mention of an account was wishful
> > thinking on Dave's part. He has always wanted to formalize the group's
> > existence so that it could have things like bank accounts, group-funded
> > promotional materials, etc.
> > 
> > Dan
> > 
> 
> Thanks for clearing that up for me/us.
> 
> Is this something he sees happening in the near future?

David and I discussed this a few months ago. PLUG would have to
become a legal entity and that brings with it obligations and
expenses. PLUG has no membership dues now but that may have
to change if it incorporates. The concept of PLUG "membership"
may need to be nailed down so the organization can function
according to its Bylaws. 

Once you have Bylaws and corporate officers, you will eventually
run into political struggles that can suck the life out of the
group. The best example of this is the Portland PC User Group,
which had a complete meltdown some years back that stopped the
group from functioning for a time, involved claims of theft of
capital assets, and (if I recall correctly) drained the bank
account.

PANUG had a similar squabble, where the Board of Directors had
a total meltdown and could no longer operate according to its
Bylaws. Fortunately, the group had contracted with an outsource
company that ran the group until the membership could replace
the Board. However, the first action of the new Board was to
discuss the group purchasing insurance to protect Board members
from being sued by one another. 

One only has to have monitored the silly pissing match on the
PLUG list this week to easily envision similar or worse things
happening to PLUG. My suggestion is to remain free.

Ed


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