Joining Rural-WEB
Please note that some elements of this document are subject to committee approval.
Introduction.
Rural-WEB is a membership club and members are expected to be willing to make some contribution to the running of the club. This could be administrative, technical, or even just considering as far as they are able proposals made to members meetings.Rural-WEB provides a low-cost service distributed wirelessly from a few Internet feeds. The Internet is not itself totally reliable and the need for additional equipment between the primary feed and the user inevitably increases the possibility of short-term failures. Rural-WEB is unable to guarantee any particular level of service. It is most suitable for users who require a basic email and web browsing facility. Types of Internet use which significantly impact the use of the service by others may be curtailed.
It is now the policy of Rural-WEB to only offer connections where the time required by activists to assist is likely to be low.
Joining procedure
The following are notes are primarily for those (termed "activists") recruiting new members:1. It is important that prospects know the minimal obligations of membership including the refundable £47 fee up front membership fee and the annual usage charge (currently about £96) which is due for the first year as soon as a reasonable connection is obtained. Refund of the membership fee is at the Committee's discretion and will only be made on return in good condition of all loaned equipment.
Any installation costs are the responsibility of the member, though assistance with straight-forward installations is likely to be donated.
2. Members are entitled to borrow RW receiving equipment either
- to provide a single ethernet connection to the member's router or to a single computer, or
- a wireless receiver card for installing in a computer, together with (if needed) and external antenna and connecting cable.
Any additional installation costs, usually a rooftop fixing of antenna and/or mains electricity to the loft, wireless routers, extra internal antenna etc ... must be agreed and paid for by the member (direct to the installer for preference).
ACTION. RW activist makes these possible costs unambiguously clear at the outset, but uses best endeavours to suggest low cost alternatives such as self-install, internal antennae etc.
Members suitably situated are welcome to connect using there aow wirelessly equped laptop or other equipment. Usage extends to visitors to the member's household while within that house and to members of that household (but not anyone else) anywhere they can get a connection.
Business members are for use within the designated business premises or by up to two named individuals anywhere that they can connect.
3. Activist should tell the Treasurer the prospect name and other details immediately. He will issue an invoice and a "Welcome Pack" and tell the activist when payment has been made. If the prospect pays the activist directly, he should tell the Treasurer immediately and pass money on soonest. The Activists' Wiki is ideal as a communication means.
This joining fee is required before any work starts. This money is returned when membership ceases and any loaned kit returned in satisfactory condition.
4. As soon as installation is achieved and satisfactory service established, payment is due in advance for the following calendar month's subscription of £11.75 (£10 + VAT). This may be made by standing order and an order shoukld be set up immediately to cover subsequent monthly payments - preferably on the 15th of each month to cover the month following.
ACTION. RW Installer confirms with member that installation is complete, and suggests the filling in of the Standing Order (included with the welcome pack). Treasurer then follows up.
Bank details
For standing order payments to Rural-WEB the following details are required:- Amount : £ 96.00 per year, in advance
- Beneficiary Account no : 61753480
- Beneficiary Sort code : 720004
- Beneficiary name : RURAL-WEB
- Beneficiary reference : Your name
- Payment dates: 20th of the appropriate month.