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Individual Membership Class FAQ

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Last Updated: 10 August, 1997

Note: This is mostly a historic document relating to the 1997 change in membership levels.

General Information: Reasoning behind membership classes
Specific Questions: Why Paid Membership Classes?; How was this decision made and why wasn't I asked?; How can I read the Guild's Bylaws?; Is this a division of the "Professional" and "Hobby" Groups?; Why is there no provision for student discounted memberships?; What changes are there to the current free membership?; Will there be any interaction between the classes?; When will the service begin?; Membership is on an annual, or yearly basis. Can you define a year?; How do I pay?; I live in a foreign country and it would cost me twice as much as Americans to send a check.; What options do I have?; Can I put the member logo on my business card? On my letter head? Can I have a membership card?; Is my membership tax-deductible?; Will volunteers get free membership?; Is HWG considering any type of certification in HTML writing?; What additional benefits have been added to the "Value" and "Plus" (paid) memberships?; How do I find out more about the Organization Memberships?; I have xxxxx (software, service, etc.) that I would like to offer to Guild members as a part of the Vendor Discount Program. What do I do?; Can I tell you about the services I would like you to add?

General Information

Thanks to our members, the HTML Writers Guild has become the most popular and respected source for the World Wide Web / HTML authoring industry on the Internet. In our three years of operation, we have grown to over 50,000 members worldwide, and continue to grow at a rate of more than 200 new members per day.

Because of the HWG's phenomenal growth, and that of the Web and its related industries, many of our members have requested that we increase our member services.

For more information on the new membership classes, visit the HWG Member Information Area.

Why Paid Membership Classes?

For the past three years, HWG has seen a amazing growth rate. Up until this point, we have operated with zero funds, and have relied entirely on the donation of resources for the operation of HWG from members or corporations. We are very grateful for the support of the many individuals and companies who donate time and resources; however we have reached the point where it is no longer viable to operate in this manner.

As a result of our membership increase, the HWG is outgrowing our current resources. We need to establish and control our own resources and expand when required. In order to reach this goal, we need funding.

How was this decision made and why wasn't I asked?

In accordance with the Guild's Bylaws and Charter, the decision to add paid membership to the Guild was made by the Governing Board. The motion was announced on hwg-ops, the Guild's mailing list for Guild operations, and after a period of public comment and feedback from the membership via hwg-ops, paid memberships were adopted on February 2, 1997.

All pending Governing Board motions are announced on hwg-ops and member feedback is highly encouraged. For more information on hwg-ops, please see:

/lists/hwg-ops/

***PLEASE NOTE:***

If you wish to comment on the new membership classes - you may do so, but ONLY on hwg-ops, the Guild's Operations mailing list. This subject is off-topic for all other Guild mailing lists and the List Guides will enforce the Netiquette Guide to keep our lists on topic and of the quality our members expect. To subscribe to hwg-ops, please go to:

/lists/hwg-ops/

How can I read the Guild's Bylaws?

If you have additional questions about the Guild and Guild policies, please review the Guild's Bylaws and Charter at: /opcenter/hwginc/bylaws.html

Is this a division of the "Professional" and "Hobby" Groups?

No, not at all. Any person is welcome to join whichever class they choose to regardless of skill or training.

Why is there no provision for student discounted memberships?

Our goal has always been to make high quality information and services of HWG available to as wide an audience as possible. We have arrived at what we believe is a reasonable annual membership dues structure for this unique and valuable service - only $20 (Value) or $35 (Plus) annually. Unfortunately, we can't charge less than that and still provide the high quality of information and services we are currently offering and intending to expand upon.

What changes are there to the current free membership?

The Mentor/Apprentice Program has been moved to the paid membership classes due in part to the new operating format of the program. Outside of that, there are no other changes in the free "Basic" membership plan. All current mailing lists will remain free and open to all members.

Will there be any interaction between the classes?

Yes, without question. Any member, regardless of the class of membership will have access to the current mailing lists, the IRC Channel, and other resources we currently offer.

When will the service begin?

The membership classes have now been fully implimented. For more information please see the Membership Levels Information section.

Membership is on an annual, or yearly basis. Can you define a year?

In the "Basic" membership, the year starts from the day we receive your application. For "Value" and "Plus" memberships, the year starts from the date we receive payment.

How do I pay?

Payment can be made by check, money order, or bank draft in US Dollars. Payment can also be made by credit card (MC/Visa) by fax or postal mail. Online credit card processing will be added in the future.

I live in a foreign country and it would cost me twice as much as Americans to send a check. What options do I have?

We are aware of the problem and that we are researching the best way for payment - if you have suggestions, ideas, or resources, please semd email to membership-questions(at)hwg.org

Can I put the member logo on my business card? On my letter head? Can I have a membership card?

Not at this time. This is being considered as a potential benefit of paid membership. The details on exactly how the print version of the member logo would be distributed and the permitted use are being discussed at this time. Further information will be announced in the HWG Newsletter if or when this benefit is available.

Is my membership tax-deductible?

We have applied for and anticipate receiving 501(c)(3) NFP Status from the IRS. Until the IRS rules on the Guild's NFP Status, we cannot answer this question definitively.

Will volunteers get free membership?

While the final details on this are still being worked out, yes, there will be some form of compensation in terms of free "Plus" membership for volunteers. Further information will be announced in the HWG Newsletter when this is finalized.

Is HWG considering any type of certification in HTML writing?

No.

What additional benefits have been added with the "Value" and "Plus" (paid) memberships?

You may visit the Guild website to see the membership benefits information online at:

levels.html

How do I find out more about the Organization Memberships?

The Organization Membership information is posted at the website: /member/levels.html#organization An FAQ for business membership classes may be found at:

/member/orgFAQ.html

I have _____ (software, service, etc.) that I would like to offer to Guild members as a part of the Vendor Discount Program. What do I do?

If you would like to become a part of our Vendor Discount Program, please send email to the VDP Manager (vdp-manager(at)hwg.org).

Can I tell you about the services I would like you to add?

If you have suggestions for additional services, please feel free to contact any GB members with your suggestions. The GB is always open to suggestions for additional membership services and is willing to work with the membership to implement such services as they feel may be of benefit to the overall membership.

If your specific question regarding the new membership classes was not found here, you may direct it to us at: site contacts (membership-questions(at)hwg.org)

Individual Membership Class FAQ

Contents

General Information