These type of discussions should not be taking place mainly on an unarchived list. Unless you subscribe to the list then you have no idea what the discussions are. And I know that I am not the only one who does not like being on that USGENWEB DISCUSS list which is a free for all at best. Debra Crosby -----Original Message----- From: gagen-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:gagen-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Ed Gordon Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:42 AM To: GAGen-L Subject: [GAGEN] FW: [STATE-COORD] Contingency Discussions - re: mastheadnegotiation/discussion -----Original Message----- From: state-coord-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:state-coord-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Tina S. Vickery Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 4:45 PM To: state-coord@rootsweb.com; usgenweb-sw@rootsweb.com; usgenweb-nw@rootsweb.com; usgenweb-ne@rootsweb.com; usgenweb-discuss@rootsweb.com; board@rootsweb.com; usgenweb-se@rootsweb.com Subject: [STATE-COORD] Contingency Discussions - re: mastheadnegotiation/discussion In conjunction with the masthead negotiations/discussions, the Board and I feel that a contingency discussion is also prudent to have. I offer the below as discussion points only. We welcome all Project members to express their concerns, opinions and to ask questions. Please forward to XXGenWeb Project lists. Again, below is intended as discussion points *only*. Main discussion will take place on the -Discuss list. Subscription information is available at: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/USGenWeb/USGENWEB-DISCUSS.html Please have courtesy and respect for your peers and the hosts of our mailing lists as we have this discussion. If you wish to contact Advisory Board members privately their names and email addresses are available at: http://www.usgenweb.com/about/advisoryboard.shtml Tina Vickery National Coordinator USGenWeb Project ----------------- Our USGenWeb Project bylaws state: ARTICLE II. PURPOSE "Section 1. The USGenWeb Project is an organized group of volunteers working to create an online center for genealogical research by linking every county in the United States. The purpose of this organization shall be to gather genealogical and historical information for free online access by researchers". Key phrase being: "free online access by researchers". The bylaws make no reference to which server any member or project of the USGenWeb Project must use. Long set precedence allows for the use of "server of one's choice." That choice extends to county, parish, town, special project, etc., and the USGenWeb National pages. As a Project, we are at a crossroads. Rootsweb and its parent company have been a very gracious and accommodating host for many years. And as a Project we would be remiss not to appreciate that. However, some corporate changes and decisions of late have placed the USGenWeb Project in a tenuous position. We need to evaluate their business decisions vs. our mission of providing " ... free online access by researchers." This is a huge decision and discussion. It is a decision as to whether or not to stay with our current host. It is a discussion I feel that must be held in conjunction with the masthead discussion. It is a discussion and decision that we must have as the USGenWeb Project community. The key question for the USGenWeb Project to discuss is: How important is it that we are seen in the genealogy community as the "USGenWeb Project .. Land of Free Genealogy"? Having answered that question, we need to evaluate many things. We have three domains: .org, .net and .com We need to consider hosting, specialized tools [php, db, etc], maintenance, administration, financing and security, to name a few. We need to make choices to promote the growth and future of the USGenWeb Project. Please understand these concerns are for the *national pages only*, but I feel a very important discussion to have with the entire USGenWeb Project membership. Bottom line is what is best for the USGenWeb Project? Tina Vickery National Coordinator USGenWeb Project ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to STATE-COORD-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GAGEN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message