Thanks for posting this all important thread!
BUMP FOR FREEDOM 
Rus/The Mayor
Posted on 03/16/2002 5:35:55 PM PST by Bob J
There has been questions and some confusion about the purposes of the FreeRepublic Network which I hope to clear up. When Forum volunteers sat down to build a plan for this organization, the result was very good but sounded as if we were making an engineering proposal to NASA. I hope this explanation clears up that confusion and answers some of the questions you might have had.
The concept of what was to become the FRN has been discussed by Jim and Forum participants for some time. Over the years, we consistently received questions like those listed below. The problem is we didn't have all the answers and when we did they weren't in one place where someone could access and digest them at their leisure.
1. I want to start a chapter, where do I go?
2. Where do I find members and get them to join.
3. How do we pay for expenses that pop up.
4. Should we have structure? Bylaws?
5. Should we have officers or leaders and what should their duties be?
6. Should we incorporate?
7. Do you have sample operating guidelines or by laws?
8. How do we conduct a protest? Do we need permits? What can we legally do and not do?
9. Do we need insurance?
10. Can someone answer a few legal questions?
11. How can I get the NRA to help with our 2nd Amend FREEP?
12. Should we put out a press release and how do you do that?
13. I've got the press coming, what do I do next?
14. How should we run a meeting?
15. How do I get guest speakers invited?
16. What signs should we have?
17. I have a great idea for a national FReep, how do I contact all the Chapters and discuss it with them?
18. It's difficult to get my chapter together, they are spread out. How can we communicate on a timely basis?
19. It's a big investment for people to give up their Sat or Sun and stand on sidewalk and I'm not sure we're getting the results to justify asking them for the time. What can we do to make a bigger impact and make sure they feel really good about what we've accomplished?
It was felt that FR activism could benefit from developing a support organization that would collect the knowledge and experience of Forum activists and add it to information on a wide range of issues of interest and importance to activists and leaders starting or developing activism groups. We needed secure chat rooms where chapter members could discuss plans and activities in privacy. This was one of the original intents of Jim and John's new "Private Forums". However, we weren't sure when that would be available so Nick Danger took the ball and designed a similar site to fill this need until they came online. Next, it was important to get chapter leaders together on a regular basis where they could discuss common issues, help each other solve problems, and act as the main organization point for activism on a regional or national level. Lastly, it was felt that our activism could be enhanced by establishing working relationships with existing conservative organizations with which we could partner on issues of common concern.
There is some concern that the Network intended to replace the Forum, this is untrue and in fact quite the opposite. The Forum is the FRN's first strategic partner and will always be the main vehicle through which chapter leaders and their members post, discuss and gather information on the days news and political issues, not to mention increasing their ranks. Nothing could ever replace the Forum and any attempt would be futile. The FRN is dedicated to providing information, education and resources to activist groups and facilitating communications. It is here to assist chapter leaders in building successful grassroots group and helping them maximize the effectiveness of their efforts. In a nutshell, the FRN is committed to;
1. Make starting or joining a chapter easy.
2. Make FReeping easier.
3. Help chapter leaders develop and build their groups. 4. Equip activists with the tools and knowledge they need to be effective.
5. Derive maximum impact and benefit for the time we invest.
6. Start thinking and planning strategically.
7. Improve communications between members.
8. Develop working relationships with other conservative organizations who we can partner with to achieve common goals.
These goals are compatible with and in line with goals of Free Republic and Jim Robinson.
Membership, as and individual or group, is voluntary and free. Individuals and groups that believe what we are doing is valuable will always remain independant and can choose whether or not to take part in any project proposed by others. We desire and hope to work with anyone and everyone who is fighting the good fight!
The FRN does not have all the answers yet, but we are working on them! We are in the early developmental stage but have great enthusiasm and excitement about the future! If you are interested in helping to build the Network or starting/joining a chapter, here is where you can go to get information!
In past posts, people have asked questions and we fell all over oursleves to get them answered quickly. Consequently, we had a few missteps. Feel free to post your questions here and please be patient with our response, as we want to get the answer right the first time. We will be noting questions and adding them to our FAQ page! Thank you for your time and interest in the Free Republic Network!
I'm not an attorney but I am a foodie!
It's so nice to see you posting here ;-)
Regards,
TS
BUMP FOR FREEDOM Rus/The Mayor
(And no, I'm NOT gonna tweak the beak, BOB!)
Slainte'!
Happy St. Paddy's Day to all outside PST. Forty minutes to go here. **g**
My treat. The works. TWO double-doubles, even.
I've organized dozens of protests of various sizes and complexities here in Florida.
Not once have I secured a permit. Not once have I needed one!
That being said, here is my "experienced" take on permits. If you want to do a parade in a street, you will need a permit. If you want to do a protest on a sidewalk or grassy strip next to a public road, you probably will NOT need a permit.
You have a constitutional right to protest on a public sidewalk. Never forget that. Obviously, if you secure the permission from a private sidewalk, you can protest there also.
Re: asking permission. If you must, don't go directly to Town Hall and say, "Do I need a permit to do so and so?" This will guarantee that they will say YES. That's their job.
Make discrete inquires to a local cop or someone in a local Republican party. Someone has some experience. Going to City/Town Hall or police station almost invaribly will make things more difficult.
If you are planning to do something to surprise the opposition, asking for a permit is the best way to alert the opposition to your plans!
I used to send press releases out in advance of what we were planning to do. I do not do that automatically any more as those pressitutes always faxed or called the opposition as to our plans.
Think long and hard about permits.
My advice: Avoid them if it is legal to do so. In the overwhelming majority of situations and locales, you really don't need them, IMHO.
Man, you are asking some great questions on this thread! We are pleased to provide answers the best we can.
As I mentioned above, I have organized many protests and have partiscipated in other events organized by other folks.
Honestly, the thought of insurance has never once entered my mind!
As the President of the Florida Chapter, I recently asked some of the other very experienced Florida Freepers if they had concerns re: insurance. Everyone I asked had the same basic answer that I had. It was never part of the thought process when we Freeped.
Having said that, a Florida Freeper mentioned that our Homeowners Insurance probably covers any eventuality anyhow. I am not an insurance agent so I can't vouch for that information.
Basically, my point of view is that I leave my house every day doing different things and I don't really worry whether that particular activity I am doing that day should be insured or not.
On a lighter note, I would hope that somewhere between the many thousands that I pay for multiple autos, Florida Home Insurance (a whole thread could be written on that excessive cost!) or the rediculously expensive MSA, life insurance, business insurance...etc. - that I am covered in there somewhere!
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