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!
We have decided to put the plans for the Free Republic Institute on the back burner and have dropped all plans of converting Free Republic Forum to a 501C non-profit. But we are moving ahead as rapidly as we can with the Free Republic Network.
The Network is an entity where we are hoping to organize our chapter activism efforts. It is a stand alone operation and is not owned or operated by Free Republic, LLC. I am 100% behind this effort, but feel that I should not currently be involved as an owner, director, officer or even part of management at this time. I am a chapter member.
I am hoping that this effort will help us build chapters and bring in more members to help with our various causes. It may be that not all existing chapters or chapter members want to join FRN, and that's ok. No FReeper will be required to become a member.
Free Republic forum will continue on as a "loosely organized" grass roots movement just as we have for the last five years. But I believe some of the things we (or at least I) want to accomplish will need a bit more formal of an organizational structure. For example, building committees in every state to repeal the income tax. I believe that the FRN will eventually have the infrastructure in place to support this kind of an effort, whereas a discussion forum like Free Republic will not.
As I say, I am behind this effort one hundred percent. I'm hoping that we can do great things through the Free Republic Network.
Many thanks for getting this off the ground.
Regards,
Jim Robinson
Anytime, just flag me.
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