I am working for such a non profit organization voluntarely (as all
of our staff does) and I can assure you that fundraising money for
servers/routers is not easy for us. When it comes to periodic costs, it
is always a trade off between more bandwith/more servers (= increased
power costs) and other things (like address space, lir membership fees,
etc). So while most end users of independet ressources might not even
notice a shift from 50 euros per anno to 500 euros per anno, at least
for us that would make things seriously more difficult. After all, thats
why we decided not to become a LIR (eventhough it would otherwise fit
better then usage of independend ressources).
I take your point.. but I have to agree with Jim on this one.
I have worked for various non-profit organisations and also understand the financial pressures one is under. However non-profit or not-for-profit does not mean, for all intents and purposes, that it should spend aim to spend more than it can afford.
Regardless of whether an organisation is for-profit or non-profit, it is a business and must be run like one. Just look at the many charities out there that also run like businesses... and non-profit does not mean it can not make a profit.. just that it has to work on profit-loss neutrality.. and ensure it's costs are met.
My biggest bugbear in some non-profits I have worked in was that the 'real' costs were swept under the carpet... Taking it to it's conclusion, if every volunteer in the organisation was to be paid and all costs were considered, what would be the real cost of running the organisation? If it has not been done, then in my opinion, it is a good exercise to do as it will give you the tru value of running the organisation so that in case donations do drop at least you can be prepared with savings.
> Supporting (under-funded) public benefit organisations is all well and
> good. But is it fair to expect the NCC membership to pick up the bill?
What bill exactly? I don't see much costs generated by users of
independent ressources.
You mention you are a volunteer in a non-profit organisation. I honestly salute you. However, if you were to charge for your time, how much would the organisation have to pay you?
In the same way, whatever resource is being used via RIPE, is a cost to the NCC and that needs to be paid somehow. If it does not come from the PI crowd, then it will come from the membership. That is the 'bill' that Jim is referring to.
Regards
Denesh