Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] organization and membership status

[Jon Wallace <jonw@psubs.org>]

Hi Jens,

Probably a bit of history is in order since it's been quite some time 
and there are lots of new people involved.  PSUBS LLC is indeed owned by 
myself and was created to provide a legal entity to protect the personal 
finances and property of myself and anyone else officially "working" for 
PSUBS (convention volunteers, web site helpers, council members, etc) 
that might arise from legal action brought against "PSUBS".  I never 
felt such protection was necessary when we merely ran the mailing list 
and general web site.  However, as our conventions became more 
sophisticated involving scheduled diving activities and travel, and when 
we started selling things online, I decided it was time to ensure my own 
personal risk was limited.  I own the domain name, the web site, and do 
most of the coordination of conventions, therefore it was logical to 
assume that if "PSUBS" was ever sued and the Plaintiff's attorney 
started asking "Who owns PSUBS?" the fingers were going to point toward 
me.  From a legal perspective "PSUBS" needed to become an entity so "it" 
could be sued instead of the individuals associated with it.  And for 
the legal scholars out there, yes I am well aware that an LLC does not 
protect me personally from everything I could possibly get myself into 
trouble over.

I doubt PSUBS legal status was a reason for ABS not responding.  ABS 
deals with private companies all the time and I would guess that private 
companies are the primary consumers of their services.  We could just as 
easily suggest that because PSUBS has never provided a revenue stream 
for them that they don't feel a need to talk to us.  However, I would 
like to think they are a bit more amenable to general inquiries than 
what you suggest.  While I disagree with your suggestion that our LLC 
status prevented ABS from responding, I do think there are a number of 
other good reasons for moving the group to non-profit status which I 
have stated is a goal of mine on numerous occasions.

I'm sorry you feel slighted regarding your perception that something you 
suggested was ignored.  Perhaps people didn't read your entire message, 
perhaps they are ignoring the entire thread, perhaps they didn't like 
your proposal, perhaps they just don't have an opinion.  For me, it just 
got lost in the multitude of emails yesterday and so I've reread your 
message and have to say that it is not clear to me what you are 
proposing.  We already have a section on the web site for design and 
building practices called "Standards & Guidelines" including a reference 
to the GL agency which you recommended.  Are you saying you want the 
name changed to "Recommended Design and Building Practices"?  Are you 
suggesting something else?

In the future, you can save yourself some frustration if you avoid 
putting a proposal that you want us to consider at the bottom of a long 
message that includes some philosophy, some personal experience, and 
some opinion.  Put your proposal in a message by itself with an 
appropriate subject title and content that only addresses the subject of 
that proposal.

Jon




************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the US Federal
CAN-SPAM Act of 2003.  Your email address appears in our database
because either you, or someone you know, requested you receive messages
from our organization.

If you want to be removed from this mailing list simply click on the
link below or send a blank email message to:
	removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org

Removal of your email address from this mailing list occurs by an
automated process and should be complete within five minutes of
our server receiving your request.

PSUBS.ORG
PO Box 53
Weare, NH  03281
603-529-1100
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************