The death of AUUG! (was: Christmas Invitation: Calzone / Beer : 7 PM, Wednesday 12 December (AUUG))

[Richard Russell]

FWIW, and I know that I've been out of touch for a while, I do recall there
being some benefit in having an actual formal organisation representing the
interests that AUUG represents. Perhaps Linux Australia or some other
organisation has taken this mantle satisfactorily, and my comments here are
outdated. However, if not, while I have no personal interest anymore, I am
of the opinion that keeping AUUG going would be of value to LinuxSA people.

A group like LinuxSA, with no formal membership or leadership (correct me if
I'm wrong) is not an organisation that can lobby governments or make formal
representations about policies affecting users.

Also, I recall when we did InstallFest2000, we needed the formal
organisation of AUUG to organise insurance (or handle donations, or
something).

There may be other benefits in having such an organisation - I wasn't a
member myself, though I recall the benefits that AUUG provided to members of
LinuxSA.

Either way, I'd like to offer my thanks to AUUG and its members and
leadership or their contributions to Unix in Australia over the last 30
years or so.

Cheers

Richard

On Dec 10, 2007 6:19 AM, Greg 'groggy' Lehey <Greg.Lehey at auug.org.au> wrote:

> On Monday, 10 December 2007 at 16:05:50 +1030, David Lloyd wrote:
> >
> > It's been a tradition for a small number of AUUG members and ex-members
> > to gather at Marcellina's in Hindley Street, close to West Terrace.
> >
> > Personally, I think it's appropriate to send this invitation out as the
> > last meeting of this year.
> >
> >  DATE:  Wednesday 12 December 2007
> >  VENUE: Marcellina Pizza Bar, 273 Hindley St, Adelaide
> >  TIME:  19:00
>
> A good time!  By chance it's half an hour after the start of what
> threatens to be the last AGM of AUUG, where the only item on the
> agenda is the dissolution of AUUG :-(
>
> If you people show up, in your hundreds, maybe you can call in to the
> AGM.
>
> My personal feelings, sent to the remainder of the AUUG board:
>
> On Sunday,  9 December 2007 at 12:35:25 +1100, Greg 'groggy' Lehey wrote:
> > You know, of course, that I've been suggesting dissolution for some
> > time, at a time when people didn't want to admit it.  But now that the
> > time has come, far from saying "I told you so", I'm having second
> > thoughts.  I think we should donate all AUUG's assets to the Lions
> > Chair and then carry on as a non-financial institution.  No membership
> > fees, no money to look after; in principle, just the name, the web
> > site and the mailing lists.  I suggest the John Lions chair because it
> > seems to be the most obvious, but that's certainly a matter for
> > discussion.
> >
> > Let's consider the alternatives.
> >
> > Close down:
> >
> > - Lots of hassle.  In particular, I suspect that we're going to have
> >   to produce complete financials, and there are all sorts of
> >   bureaucratic hurdles to jump over.
> > - Irreversible.  If we close down, that's the end, once and for all.
> >
> > Non-financial institution:
> >
> > - The money we have goes to a good cause.
> > - We don't really need to do anything immediately.  But in the
> >   mid-term we can set up pages for on-line membership applications and
> >   things.  I suspect that people will come out of the woodwork who so
> >   far have been scared off by the membership fee.
> > - If it doesn't work, we can still take the alternative.
> >
> > With this in mind, I don't intend to renew my subscription.  I'd be
> > happy to be a board member and come to the meeting, but it doesn't
> > seem logical to pay membership for an organization that is planning to
> > shut down.  If you take the second alternative, I'd also suggest that
> > you refund the memberships to anybody who has renewed just to be able
> > to attend the meeting.
>
> I have yet to receive a reply.
>
> Greg
> --
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>
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