Letter #2 ========== Dear So-and-so: It's time to renew your annual investment as an owner-member of Freenet, our grassroots, not-for-profit enterprise which is our community passport to cyberspace. The MINIMUM investment required to maintain Freenet services for the coming year is ONLY twenty-four dollars per member. Two factors make it possible for Freenet to provide this low-cost, high-quality service: 1) The huge amount of free "labor" volunteered by fellow members-- from providing expert help to users to negotiating donations of expensive equipment, and everything in between; 2) Most important of all, members yearly contribute enough dollars to pay such operating expenses as phone lines and staff salaries which must, of course, be paid in cash. It's an amazing bargain. For two dollars a month members can connect, communicate, and participate via computer with thousands of others in the community, have access to hundreds of special-interest groups and to a large number of official sources of information, PLUS have full and complete connections to the internet for world-wide email, and access to the endless sources of entertainment and information on the World Wide Web. You may use one of the "instalment plans" if you find that more convenient than including the whole amount with your renewal. (Invest a little more than the minimum twenty-four dollars and we will be able to improve the current services and perhaps add some new ones-- while continuing to provide access to those genuinely unable to contribute.) We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to become an owner- member of NCF. Details can be found in the attached "Renewal Form." If, for whatever reason, you need to postpone your investment, complete the appropriate section of the form explaining that you want to be a member, but because of your current circumstances must defer your contribution to some later date. Or you may want to volunteer to contribute your time/talent, etc. in lieu of cash. Some members contribute both cash and volunteer help; many important chores can be done from home via your computer. In any case, no members who find themselves unable to contribute will be denied access to Freenet. Your support is needed to keep Freenet free, independent, and thriving. Be a part of a challenging work-in-progress, of which all members have a right to be proud. Freenet is an ongoing demonstration of what people can accomplish when they quietly pool their resources and work together to provide a valuable, useful service to themselves and to their community. Freenet is a unique community enterprise, which can exist only with the support of us members. (signed) (List names of Board of Directors) (END) (DRAFT 1-- RENEWAL FORM to accompany renewal letter.) (Pour une copie. . . etc.) ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM (Part 1) -Name, ID, etc. (Address/phone number?) -Please renew my Freenet memership for another 12 months. I accept all rules and regulations governing usage. -My investment for the coming year is $_____________ -(Signed)___________________________________________ -Fellow members, volunteering as Directors, have calculated that $24.00 is the MINIMUM investment each member must make in order to maintain the present level of service. We need to invest more than the minimum if we are to be able to improve and add to services. (Part 2) -Naturally, it makes life easier for our hard-pressed office if you remit the full amount of your investment with your renewal. However, we can offer alternatives to suit your budget. -Remit full amount by cheque or VISA -Remit half now, half later -Pay instalments through any branch of BNS. (Just deposit payment in envelope marked . . . . or ask the teller) -You tell us what arrangment would be most convenient for you and we'll do our best to set it up (Part 3) -A major reason for Freenet's success is the contribution of volunteer "labor" by members. There are many chores which need extra hands and you don't have to be a computer whiz to help out, although we can always use technical assistance. Tell us which areas you might be able to handle and what time you would have available. (Many tasks can be done from home via your computer and we'll arrange any necessary training.) _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ (Part 4) -If your circumstances make it impossible for you to contribute either money or volunteer labor, you are still welcome to be a member. Provide a brief explanation and a date when you may become able to contribute. ________________________________________________________ _ ________________________________________________________ _ Please ask me again on (date)____________________________ (Part 5) MY COMMENTS AND WISH LIST It is a continuing challenge to tailor Freenet's services and features to the needs and wishes of the membership. It would be most helpful if you would take a moment to let us know what you like or dislike about the way Freenet is doing things now, and what things you would like to see in the future. a) I mostly use the text_____ or PPP connection______ b) I mostly use Freenet for__________________________ _____________________________________________________ c) My computer equipment is__________________________ _____________________________________________________ d) What I most like about Freenet____________________ _____________________________________________________ e) What I most dislike about Freenet_________________ _____________________________________________________ WHAT CHANGES OR IMPROVEMENTS I WOULD MOST WELCOME 1)______________________________________________ 2)______________________________________________ 3)______________________________________________ GENERAL COMMENTS:________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Your support is needed to keep Freenet free, independent, and thriving. Be a part of a challenging work-in-progress, of which all members have a right to be proud. Freenet is an ongoing demonstration of what people can accomplish when they quietly pool their resources and work together to provide a valuable, useful service to themselves and to their community. Freenet is a unique community enterprise, which can exist only with the support of us members. (END)