HWG IRC Chat log (Jan. 31 1998)

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HWG IRC Chat Log (Jan. 31, 1998)
*** Log file opened: 1/31/98 11:46:22 AM

<nance> if you're happy and you know it clap your hands
tammy [u1b406f(at)ip4213.dialup.wvnet.edu] has joined #hwg
<tammy> can't have you talking to yourself ... people would start to talk
<nance> they already do!
<tammy> yeah ... but no need to encourage those rumours
<nance> that's true
<tammy> was it due to start at 12:00
<nance> yup...
<tammy> so, how long before you call it an official no show?
<nance> when i decide to get ready for work ... who knows when that will be :)
<tammy> well, I think I'm gonna sign off ... I suggest you call this one over
<nance> i will ... buhbye
FredB [fred(at)max2-64.eatel.net] has joined #hwg
<FredB> So, is everyone dead? :-)
<nance> i think so...
<FredB> I have a feeling not too many will show up on a Saturday.
Spiff [vanstar(at)sby09042.intercom.net] has joined #hwg
<FredB> I didn't want to miss it though because I missed last Wednesday.
<nance> well, i thought we'd at least try for something ... guess it wasn't worth it
<Spiff> hey ppls
<FredB> It's still a few minutes til the announced start time by my watch.
<FredB> Hello Spiff.
<Spiff> hey fred...
<nance> 12 pm EST .... it's almost 1pm EST
<FredB> Oh, I thought it was 1:00 pm EST, which is 12:00 CST for me.
<Spiff> start time of what??
<FredB> So I'm really an hour late.
<tammy> morning Fred ... since you're here ... you have anything specific you'd like to put on the record
<nance> (oh yeah, i am keeping a logof this) :)
<tammy> hour late and the ONLY show
<tammy> so that's a big score at least Spiff [vanstar(at)sby09042.intercom.net] has left #hwg
<FredB> Watch me still lose though. :-)
<tammy> now that's no way to look at it
<FredB> What's down to now, 10 candidates?
<nance> it's an odd number (not 10 - even number)
<nance> 11 :)
<nance> (just counted)
<tammy> Fred ... when Susan was the only show the other day the topic centered around increasing volunteerism in the Guild. Having experience as being a volunteer, what would be your suggestions as to how we could improve in this area
<FredB> Other than putting a big notice on the front of the web site, I don't believe there's much more we could do that we aren't doing now.
<FredB> I know when I called for volunteers several months ago, I got about twelve responses right away.
<tammy> okay, what do you see as being the problem .. why is it so hard for us to get people to volunteer
<FredB> So using the newsletter does work. It just may be that we need to issue weekly calls rather than monthly.
<nance> do you sub to the volunteers mailing list?
<FredB> No, because I already volunteer, and can't handle anything more.
<tammy> through what means ... I personally use the newsletter *almost* every month to recruit .. but, I'm still at 50% staffing in the LG Program
<nance> well, you don't get any mail with the volunteers mailing list :)
<FredB> The volunteer list is for announcing openings, right?
<nance> yeah, i'm on it ... haven't gotten any announcements
<tammy> I think that's something that should be looked at ... there are currently about 250 people subscribed to that list ... if their's nothing coming through there something wrong
<FredB> Obviously.
<nance> that's what i've been wondering about
<nance> i never realized there were 250 people on that list
<tammy> checked the stats during the IRC the other evening when we were discussing it
<FredB> And, if all it is is announcements of openings, most people won't even bother to subscribe to it.
<nance> except for those people who want to volunteer but just don't know how to
<tammy> Fred ... other topic ... one of the big things being discussed right now in the GB and on the elections list is fundraising ... how do you see the Guild best going after the additional monies it needs to continue and grow
<FredB> Well, in the first IRC chat this came up, and I suggested a raffle of web related hardware and/or software...
<FredB> As was pointed out then though, that really isn't a long term solution...
<FredB> More of an occasional quick fix.
<FredB> Actively seeking donations and grants are one of our best routes I feel...
<tammy> I remember the discussion ... but, I'm unsure how that would work ... if people can just go out and buy software/hardware .. why would they want to pay more than going price when we can't even get membership contributions?
<FredB> If Kynn's idea of the Guild as "shareware" goes through, that could solve a some of the problems too.
<tammy> what do you think of that proposal
<FredB> No, you raffle it off. Charge maybe up to $5 for a chance to win something that would otherwise cost you a few hundred bucks...
<FredB> If we could get the "prizes" donated, that would cut down on our overhead to run the raffle too.
<tammy> *smile* ... I've bought a few of those in my time ... guess I just wasn't thinking ... my mind was thinking auction .. not raffle
<FredB> As for Kynn's proposal,...
<FredB> While I hate to see the Guild I joined as a free entity go away, it does appear more nad more like that will have to be...
<FredB> We simply can't keep providing so much without taking something back in.
<nance> what about the people who can't afford to pay?
<FredB> I think his idea of a year free membership is fine, and I do believe that if we do this, we will have to remove those who don't join as paying members after the year is up..
<FredB> If you can afford an Internet connection, you can afford $20.
<FredB> I know a lot of people get their connection from school...
<nance> i work for suite101, they pay for my internet connection
<FredB> Yeah, and a salary, so you could pay $20 anyway.
<FredB> :-)
<nance> no ... it's not that kind of job. i'm one of their editors. they pay my internet connection fee because that's what i do for them... search the internet and write articles. they only pay for internet fees, no salary :)
<tammy> would you leave anything available for free to totally drop non-contributors
<nance> its a job that normally would be a volunteer one, but they feel like paying for the internet connection for their editors... so technically, it's not a volunteer thing
<tammy> sorry that should be or totally drop non contributors
<FredB> There's always the web site.
<FredB> Unless someone (not me) thinks we should password protect the resources area.
<FredB> At best, non-members could keep just the -basics list. But, I personally feel that if we do this, and the person doesn't join after their year is up, they should be dropped completely (again, except for the web site).
<FredB> The whole idea behind this is to get people to join as paying members...
<FredB> If you give them anything beyond the year (or whatever time would be decided on) it defeats the purpose.
<FredB> Still, I would hope that such a solution be used only as a last resort.
<FredB> If donations and other fund raising activities don't meet our financial needs.
<nance> you know, i remember when i first joined ... the first thought that came through my head was "that's ALL i have to do?" ... joining just seemed so simple, too simple
<FredB> Truth is, I wouldn't have joined if it wasn't free either.:-) That's why I think we should keep it free for the year (six months minimum).
<FredB> Even though I am a Plus member because of my Logo Team Managing duties, I could afford the $20 or even $35 fee.
<FredB> Now, that is.
<tammy> *smile* ... well we welcome checks from already Plus members too ... and it's tax deductable ...
<nance> personally, it really bugs me when people say that $35/year isn't a lot ... maybe not to some it isn't, but to others, it is... and i would love to give the money, just can't .... odd that when i first joined, i could have afforded it (but plus membership was alive then)
<FredB> Well, I'm going to wait until I get a renewal notice. I'm still cheap. :-)
<nance> you have to hook people in somehow, and a free membership (for some period of time) does that
<FredB> Exactly.
<tammy> well I understand your point ... I basically live paycheck to paycheck ... but, I also make numerous small contributions to charity and some larger ones by payroll deduction over the course of the year
<FredB> I understand about $35 being a lot. I'm on a fixed income.
<tammy> to me it's just a matter of saying I'll forego something else in return for doing this ... give up a haircut or a new shirt ... that kind of idea
<FredB> If you plan it out though, it's only a couple of bucks a month you could stick in a piggy bank or something.
<FredB> Until it's time to pay it.
<tammy> exactly ... give up a latte a day and stash the funds
<nance> when you have to look at your bills and pick which one you aren't going to pay that month ... you can't afford something to the guild... i'm not talking about not buying a tshirt or something like that
<tammy> I am under the same constraints .. bill wise ... but I guess I'm just more foolish with my money
<nance> had a stash - but it was a choice this week between eating and keeping the stash
<FredB> So, if you were lose your little "job, you'd lose your Internet connection too Nancy?
jb [~jb(at)www.tfabbs.org] has joined #hwg
<FredB> Hi Jim.
<nance> most likely... well, i'd have connection via my school ... but it really is bad (never use it)
<jb> So, huh, Hi All!
<nance> hey jim :)
<FredB> Good thing the 'net is always growing. You'll never run out of stuff to write about. :-)
<nance> yeah i'm hoping not :) just has to last me another year ... till i finish my degree and have the time to have a full time job :)
<FredB> Then you could afford the $20. Assuming of course you wanted to join us.
<FredB> :-)
<nance> well of course THEN i'll have money coming out of my ears! (compared to what i have now) and i'll throw it at the guild
<tammy> don't bet on it ... I have less spendable cash now than when I was in college and I went to college on grants, loans, and working
<nance> i know, i like to dream
<FredB> The final point about the free year is this: For those who can't afford to pay, they should still learn enough to get them going...
<FredB> So even if they are totally dropped, they got something out of the deal.
<nance> *nods* hopefully*
<FredB> And will hopefully remember that if when they can afford it.
<nance> hey all ... i have to go get ready for work (yes, i do have a little part time job for the bills) :)
<nance> do we want to continue this discussion? (doesn't matter to me - just have to know about the log)
<FredB> Fine by me if we end.
<FredB> I'm through. (I guess)
<tammy> yeah, time to get back to this session of HWG weekend working
<nance> well, i'm gonna go ... if you guys still want to talk about stuff ... jim will keep the log and we'll put it all together after work
<tammy> nice talking to you Fred
<nance> bye tammy
<FredB> Bye Tammy.
<tammy> bye nancy, Fred, Jim ...
<nance> and thanks for the input fred :) (and thanks for showing up)
tammy [u1b406f(at)ip4213.dialup.wvnet.edu] has left #hwg
<jb> Bye T
<FredB> My pleasure.
<FredB> See you Monday.
<nance> bye bye all
<FredB> ?
<jb> Bye N
<nance> yup ... monday at 9pm
<nance> bye jb
*** Log file closed: 1/31/98 1:52:09 PM