[lir-wg] Re: 50% increase in RIPE fees ? Since when ?

> Activities of the RIPE NCC, including its operation and
> yearly fee structure, are approved by the membership as
> proposed in the annual RIPE NCC Activity Plan. The RIPE NCC
> Activity Plan is formed on input from the RIPE community
> and users of RIPE NCC services.

you forgot to add "... and can be read in a locked filing cabinet in the
basement, stored in a disused lavoratory marked beware of the leopard." Or
whatever the full quote is.

> Due to the economic situation, we saw substantially less
> influx of new members over the course of the last twelve
> months than forecast, also we have lost member due to
> closures and mergers. As a result of that, the RIPE NCC
> will have a sizeable deficit this year.

But the costs are increasing ? No, that's not right. Less 'customers', less
'costs'. A drop in membership results in a 50% increase in costs ? I charge
that there must be some gross inefficiencies, bad management practicies and
even potentially some nest-feathering going on.

I *know* I am out of touch, I do not have the time or money to attend ever
broom-cupboard meeting held by RIPE. Is there an independent board that is
charged with overseeing that money is not wasted in lean years ? As a
not-for-profit company, this is the least I would expect. If there is, how
on earth did they approve a 50% increase in fees (resulting in a 4% increase
in expenditure ?)

> The RIPE NCC appreciates membership feedback and encourages
> active participation by our members.

I thank you for the stock reply, but now how about some genuine discussion ?

For example, how do we seperate the entitities that are RIPE and RIPE-NCC ?

Peter