Tiered Membership Model

This proposal was tabled by Jonathan Oxer at the LA Committee at the Melbourne face-to-face meeting in April 2007. Comments / discussion should be sent to the linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au mailing list.

A tiered membership model would allow the organisation to continue offering free membership such that it can represent the broad Open Source community, while also opening the way for provision of additional member benefits and diversifying available revenue streams.

The actual process of enacting this structure would involve a motion to convert all existing memberships (other than Life Members) into "Ordinary Members". This would also have the benefit of clarifying our position with respect to requiring renewals and the question which was raised at the 2007 AGM about whether members who had signed up prior to the 2006 AGM were in fact still members.

This proposal is presented in conjunction with several proposed Constitutional Amendments.

Ordinary Member

Free, perpetual individual membership. Equivalent to the way ordinary members are currently being managed in practice, even though current practice is not in accordance with the existing constitution. It's critical that we provide a free membership option so that we can continue to be representative of the FOSS community.

Fee: free

Contributing Member

Annually renewable individual membership which is automatically switched to Ordinary Member if fees are not paid. Benefits provided include:

Fee: $35pa (for example)

Honorary Life Member

Equivalent to Life Member, but bestowed at the discretion of the Committee and requiring no payment of fees.

LIfe Membership is announced at linux.conf.au and at the AGM. Life members receive a plaque and have their names, bio and a brief description of their contributions added to the Life Members page on the linux.org.au website.

Fee: free

Affiliate Member

Annually renewable membership for companies and organisations. Benefits provided include:

Fee: $150pa (for example)

Multi Tier Membership (last edited 2008-04-05 05:32:13 by JamesTurnbull)