Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site timeinc.UUCP
Path: utzoo!decvax!decwrl!greipa!pesnta!phri!timeinc!dwight
From: dwight@timeinc.UUCP (Dwight Ernest)
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio.packet
Subject: Thoughts on Packet's Future from MAPRC (1 of 2)
Message-ID: <376@timeinc.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 31-Jul-85 17:05:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: timeinc.376
Posted: Wed Jul 31 17:05:23 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 3-Aug-85 03:30:48 EDT
Reply-To: dwight@timeinc.UUCP (Dwight Ernest)
Distribution: na
Organization: Time, Inc. - New York
Lines: 80

[ This file relating to the Mid Atlantic Packet Radio Council was
   downloaded on packet radio from WB2MNF digipeater in Medford, NJ
   by Dwight Ernest, KA2CNN, on 30 July 1985, and is presented
   here for consideration. There are two portions--an originating
   proposal for the MAPRC, and an expression of its future plans.
   I found it interesting. I hope you do too.
   --Dwight ...vax135!timeinc!dwight
]

by Tom Clark, W3IWI

Since I've been commissioned to give some formal organization to 
the Mid-Atlantic Packet Radio Council (MAPRC) I wanted to present 
some thoughts on how we might go about it.  

MAPRC is being formed as a formal organization to provide 
assistance - technical and financial - to the long-haul links in 
the middle of the EASTNET network.  Many of the local 
digipeaters, BBSs, and other resources are best provided by local 
groups, but some facilities, particularly the new high-speed 220 
MHz links may need some help.  It was also pointed out at the 
last MAPRC meeting that many critical facilities are provided 
through the efforts of individuals and if they were damaged or 
lost we'd all be out of luck.  What we'd like to do with MAPRC is 
provide a way to build an efficient network financed by those who 
use it.

MAPRC's principal area of interest was set at the first meeting 
to be a circle of about 100 miles from the rest stop at which the 
meetings are held.  This takes it down to Washington, out to 
Harrisburg, and about 1/2 way up New Jersey.  This area was 
chosen purposely because it was well represented at the meeting.  
No area was to be excluded, but we didn't want to preempt any 
other group.  We'd welcome any group from any area which wanted 
to work with us.

We're going to try to get MAPRC incorporated as a not-for-profit 
charitable research and educational organization so that 
contributions would be tax deductible.  There is precedent for 
this - TAPR, AMSAT, and PARA are charitable organizations.  This 
would give some break to those who might contribute money, 
equipment, sites, etc.

We've also discussed types of membership.  I proposed two classes 
- individual and club.  Individual members would pay annual dues 
of something like $20, and would have all operating and voting 
privileges (although all network resources are now available to 
all packeteers, this may not continue forever).  These would 
probably be those who are really involved in packet operations 
and want to have a voice in the development of the network.

Club memberships would allow other radio clubs to join and 
support MAPRC. A club membership would cost the club something 
like $200 and would allow all members of that club all operating 
privileges.  Individual club members would have no voting rights 
in MAPRC, however - the club would appoint a representative to 
MAPRC who would have a single vote.  We'd have to limit the size 
of the club that could join (perhaps to 500 members) to prevent 
an organization like the ARRL from joining and opening the 
network to all of its members.

I hope to have a MAPRC constitution done in a couple of weeks and 
I'd like to use a company in Delaware to set things up.  This 
done, we need an interim board of directors to volunteer until 
the first organizational meeting when the first elected board 
takes office.  Before then I want to make application to the IRS 
for the tax exemption.  That will take a while.

Since MAPRC will need the support of the packet community and 
must respond to its needs, I'd like some comments on this 
proposal.  Otherwise, this is what it's going to look like!
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
		--Dwight Ernest	KA2CNN	\ Usenet:...vax135!timeinc!dwight
		  Time Inc. Edit./Prod. Tech. Grp., New York City
		  Voice: (212) 554-5061 \ Compuserve: 70210,523
		  Telemail: DERNEST/TIMECOMDIV/TIMEINC \ MCI: DERNEST
"The opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily
 reflect the opinions of Time Incorporated."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------