prospectacle writes:
"An important choice remains for this site. What kind of organisation will we be, practically, legally and financially?
A for-profit, shareholder corporation seems out of the question, by general consensus (correct me if I'm wrong), but other questions remain. The basic choice is this:
Will we be like a charity, a co-op, or a recreational club?
This is a gross simplification, but gives some idea of the options involved. Feel free to offer alternatives. So what should we be, what is our purpose, really? And what kind of a structure is required to make sure we serve that purpose, and that money doesn't end up in the wrong pockets?
Bonus question: which jurisdiction should we set ourselves up in to fulfil our mission most effectively?"
(Score: 5, Insightful) by linsane on Wednesday March 12 2014, @11:40AM
Better to get it all the dramas and policies sorted out now imho. The other place will continue to bleed visitors and they need a nice home with stable long term framework and a good base community. I'd rather that than have a hiatus in 6 months time when someone flips the site into a bundle of trash.
I personally don't frequent IRC as I tend to be viewing from random devices / locations however it seems that a lot more goes on under the surface away from the front page already. Perhaps one of the overlords could conduct these formally via the Journals, Launch News or Necessary readings, as well as continuing with the Polls side of things so that us http types can continue to be involved without it being all over the news stream.
L
(Score: 2) by linsane on Wednesday March 12 2014, @11:46AM
PS - option 1, with transparency regarding costs and salary policies on the basis, efforts should be appropriately compensated but if we are to donate or subscribe (yes please btw) then it would be encouraging to know where it was going
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 12 2014, @04:15PM
> transparency regarding costs and salary policies
As volunteers, two of us run a "non-entity" where students contribute a fixed amount to join. We spend the membership fees periodically on an expensive service that few of the students could afford individually.
The books are open--a spreadsheet showing all members and all expenses (the expensive service and also incidentals) is posted on the home page. The goods (results of the service) are posted on a password protected site for download.
According to my accountant there are no tax consequences (in USA) as long as no one makes any income. The money is held in a no-interest checking account.
It's been running for nearly 10 years now and we've collected well over USD $100,000 -- and spent it on the service in large chunks every few years.
Not sure what to call it, but it is satisfying to run. The students actually send their appreciation.