Joseph,

This is a though one.  I'm not deciding yet how to vote but I just
want to add a comment.

I understand how certain people might want to join the group just to
see what they can get out from it without making any contribution in
return, or extract information for non-genealogical purposes.  This is
not acceptable.

However, I'm sure there must be at least a few good researchers and
genealogist who, although not directly rooted in the Ranchos
geographical area, can act as bridges to other genealogical groups in
Mexico, US, Iberia, the Caribean, etc.  I for one have membership and
visit several groups  even in places where I still haven't found any
ancestors.  I have directed to this group a few persons who I knew
were interested in the Rancho's region but were unaware of this
group's existence.

Maybe the solution isnt'a yes-no, let-them-all-in / keep-them-all-out
situation.  How about adding another level or layer of protection to
the files or information that we want to protect, like moving our
personal files to a different location and still allowing other people
to join the fellowship and ongoing conversations? Are we sure there
isn't any chance of getting a worthwhile contribution from outside of
current members?

How about requiring a couple of recommendations from current members
to allow someone to join? Or how about considering a person's
accomplishments in the field of genealogy?  How about having some kind
of honorary membership for exceptional individuals?

These are just some quick thoughts.  I might add some more later.

Saludos Cordiales,
Victor Villarreal

 

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, ranchos@yahoogroups.com wrote:
>
> 
> Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the 
> ranchos group:
> 
> From time to time people not from our geographical area express
intereste in Ranchos. Here is my answer:
> 
> maybe there is a misunderstanding. we are focused on the states of
Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Aguascalientes. I don't understand why you
would be interested in this group? Now if you "THINK" that you might
have ties to this area then I'll subscribe you for a 1 year temporary
membership that we'll reconsider renewing next year depending on how
much you've discovered about your Jalisco, Zacatecas and/or
Aguascalientes roots or should I say tried to discover.
> 
> is this what you'd like to do?
> 
> Do you agree with this? Or should I make special exceptions for
those "high quality" researchers that express interest in the group?
> 
> I'm torn between being "fair" to all and the possible benefit to
"all" from letting a top researcher into the group.
> 
> what do you all think?
> 
> So far all of our polls have been invalid for lack of participation.
IF this one is to be valid I'll need 50% of you to weigh in so I can
tip the balance. It'd be best if 52% of you weighed in on one side so
my vote wouldn't be the deciding factor.
> 
> joseph 
> 
>   o Be Fair to all and restrict membership 
>   o Don't restrict we can learn a lot from others 
>   o Do like you're doing 
>   o hijola, good question holmes! 
> 
> 
> To vote, please visit the following web page:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ranchos/surveys?id=1823343 
> 
> Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are 
> not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups 
> web site listed above.
> 
> Thanks!
>