[ncc-services-wg] voting on AGM

Joao

Certainly worth looking at the cost/benefits of ditching the association status. There are other reasons for the association vehicle of course but it might be worth doing a review. Some of the original constraints no longer apply (Terena was still uncertain that this internet thingie would catch on, which is at the back of some of the more obscure bits in the Articles, including the clearing house funds).

As I say, if the members want it, the board is there to ascertain and execute your wishes.

All the best

Nigel
________________________________________
From: ncc-services-wg-admin at ripe.net [ncc-services-wg-admin at ripe.net] on behalf of João Damas [joao at bondis.org]
Sent: 28 October 2010 11:17
To: Nigel Titley
Cc: ncc-services-wg at ripe.net
Subject: Re: [ncc-services-wg] voting on AGM

Nigel,

good background, now I know where water-boarding comes from ;)

On 28 Oct 2010, at 11:39, Nigel Titley wrote:

>
> The RIPE NCC was set up as an association for the tax benefits (we basically pay no tax at all). If the majority of the members want to change the constitution (basically winding up the RIPE NCC and reforming it as a regular limited liability company) and gain the ability to vote in advance of the GM for the payment of a higher membership fee then please let us know.

that is kind of a broad link that may or not have reason to be. Companies pay taxes on profits. In the absence of profit no tax is due (VAT is passed through, right?). So one could even argue that an LLC-type RIPE NCC would be cheaper as it would be a burden to accumulate huge reserves (which is where the current form seems to have most of its benefits) and so lower fees would be in order.

Perhaps a more detailed analysis would be worth the time spent on it? Cost/benefit analysis?

Joao