JawugMembership
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[edit] So where are we now...
As you might have noticed the discount period for membership has ended and some of you who did not register at the meet might be wondering why you haven't received any banking details. Its been a bit of a logistical nightmare but we have finally sorted this out. In this regard we will extend this period a further month (Till the end of September). Included at the bottom of this email are the banking details.
[edit] Who, what, where?
At the AGM meeting held in August a vote was put forward and 7 management committee members were elected. A further internal election process was done and various roles were appointed:
Xarion (Xarion Comoretto) - Chairman
mossie (Jaques Mostert) - Vice Chairman
Silencer (Tirendra Reddy) - Treasurer
Atti2de (Wayne Strydom) - Secretary
ambo (Graham Beneke) - Regulations and Responsibilities
daffy (Kieran Murphy) - Chief Technical Officer
Ryder (Mitch Blower) - Marketing and Public Relations
Check http://www.wug.za.net/wiki/index.php/JawugAGM2009_2009-08-01 if you wish to view the WugMeet Email again
[edit] What's next
Formalising Jawug and an organisational entity, the network can now apply for network licensing and at least not operate in this grey area that nobody really understands. The next steps will be to apply for the ECNS and ECS licenses and verify all fees applicable. If fees are to paid over, the two major municipalities, Greater Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, will be paid for first. This is a big expense which is why there was an introduction of the membership fees.
[edit] What does this mean for you?
It basically means you now belong to a registered and structured 'club'. It also mean that as a member you are required to supply info so that management members have accurate member-list. It also means that a membership needs to be paid. (R360 per annum - or R300 till the end of September) You may do this registration at http://www.wug.za.net/jawug_membership.php and mail your proof of payment to accounts@wug.za.net. Please use your registered nickname as your reference.
If you filled out the form at the Wugmeet you are not required to do the registration, just mail through the proof of payment for the rest of the membership fee (if applicable to you)
[edit] Background info into NPO
JAWUG was formally brought into existence on the 4th July 2009 as a Non-Profit Organisation compliant with the NPO Act No 71 of 1997. This was done through the adoption of constitution after over 2 years of discussion and consultation.
The NPO was established in order to create a legal body under which JAWUG can continue its community objectives. Some of the benefits include Tax exemptions and a legally accountable body that can handle funds and assets in a transparent manner.
Membership of the new NPO costs R360 per year. As of the 1st August there were 68 members who had paid membership fees. The fees are not a subscription fee to use the JAWUG network but rather a fee to be part of the club.
The 1st of August was also the first AGM of the newly formed NPO and the first ManCom was elected. Members of the ManCom include founders of the network and current core team members.
Money collected through membership fees is currently being used to cover the administrative costs of registering JAWUG with all the required regulatory bodies. This will ultimately remove any doubts about the legal operation of the network.
Once that process has been completed the funds will be put into maintaining and improving the current network. Expansion of the network will continue to be funded through member donations and this will now be transparently managed and reported through the ManCom and the Treasurer.
Statistics gathered from routers on the network indicate that JAWUG has in excess of 200 users actively connected to the network and numerous other that are temporarily disconnected or in the process of joining. The network already extensively covers both Greater Johannesburg and Ekhurleni with various links built or under construction to Pretoria, Pochefstroom and Vereeniging.
JAWUG will continue to be community owned and will be run in accordance with Non-Profit regulations. Members will not be charged for connectivity to the network. JAWUG will continue to grow and provide innovative ways for members to communicate.
