Activities of the RIPE NCC, including its operation and yearly fee structure, are approved by the membership as proposed in the annual RIPE NCC Activity Plan. The RIPE NCC Activity Plan is formed on input from the RIPE community and users of RIPE NCC services.
you forgot to add "... and can be read in a locked filing cabinet in the basement, stored in a disused lavoratory marked beware of the leopard." Or whatever the full quote is.
Due to the economic situation, we saw substantially less influx of new members over the course of the last twelve months than forecast, also we have lost member due to closures and mergers. As a result of that, the RIPE NCC will have a sizeable deficit this year.
But the costs are increasing ? No, that's not right. Less 'customers', less 'costs'. A drop in membership results in a 50% increase in costs ? I charge that there must be some gross inefficiencies, bad management practicies and even potentially some nest-feathering going on. I *know* I am out of touch, I do not have the time or money to attend ever broom-cupboard meeting held by RIPE. Is there an independent board that is charged with overseeing that money is not wasted in lean years ? As a not-for-profit company, this is the least I would expect. If there is, how on earth did they approve a 50% increase in fees (resulting in a 4% increase in expenditure ?)
The RIPE NCC appreciates membership feedback and encourages active participation by our members.
I thank you for the stock reply, but now how about some genuine discussion ? For example, how do we seperate the entitities that are RIPE and RIPE-NCC ? Peter