[Cialug] group banking/membership proposal

[Barry Von Ahsen]

at the last meeting, I mentioned moving away from Wells Fargo as our bank.  however, after further thought, I'm not sure that we even have a need for a bank
* we only collect dues once a year, and from only about a dozen people
* we only make one deposit a year (of the dues)
* our expenditures are almost exclusively bank fees

taking it to the next (semi)logical step, the only reason we have a bank is because of dues, and the only reason we have dues is for membership.  however, there isn't much benefit from membership, and very little distinction between members and non-members (members have the ability to vote in the election and the ability to decline a nomination)

therefore, I propose:
* eliminate the dues-paying membership distinction
* close the bank account
* divest the funds we currently have

I propose this for discussion now on the mailing list, and if there isn't overwhelming opposition, I'll propose it for vote during the elections next meeting (Feb 20)

now, according to our bylaws, we need a simple majority of members to pass this proposal, but based on membership precedent, there won't be any members next month (except for the couple that renewed last month) - the irony being we need members to pay to vote to make it unnecessary to pay.  

so my precursor proposal would be:
* extend membership by a month for the purposes of voting on this issue
* if the issue passes, refund the dues paid last month (if that member wishes so)


-barry