----------
> From: arpcons...@aol.com
> To: o...@tmn.com
> Subject: Re: An OSI Policy Question
> Date: Thursday, March 27, 1997 8:19 AM
>
> Peggy,
>
> I have several thoughts. First, what is the purpose and meaning of
'membership.' Is it
> primarily affiliation, or is it financial support, or....? Knowing the
answer
> to that question would help answer your question. My second thought is
that
> in many volunteer organizations which define themselves as communities of
> common interest or belief, service is an expectation of membership, and
not a
> trade for membership. I think offering membership as a quid pro quo for
> service will tend to devalue the meaning of membership. Those who offer
> service ideally do so because they want to, without other expectations.
>
> As for the meta-question, who do you want to be responsible for the
culture
> and climate of the community. Whoever, that is, is the right one to
address
> the question. (In open space terms, whoever wants to participate in the
> dialogue.)
>
> Allan
