Suzy's car is still in the shop, so I'm not sure when I will be out there today to work on the road improvements prior to tomorrow's Soulstice gathering. There are a number of Solstice gatherings tonight as well, so I may attend those instead and save our Shire discussions for tomorrow, when we will all be around, perhaps including some potential members. One of the considerations I have been contemplating is that we have two different questions of relationship with participants at The Shire. One is campsite contributions (currently suggesting $10 a day short term, or $100 a month for a campsite space) and the other is membership (I am contemplating $100 a month as a target for our 'country club', whether living on-site or not, though maybe we could start at $20 per individual and build up as we have more to offer). We can discuss ideas for membership proposal (including the necessity of sponsorship by an existing member, i.e. Kai, Glen, Rae, Calvin, Frank - the stewards and owners, since we have no other formal members yet), trial period (Kai has suggested a 2 day, 2 week, 2 month and 2 year series of trials for achieving full membership in the community), and final approval (level of support or consensus could vary with the level of participation, e.g. trial membership might only require a sponsor, ultimate full life membership might require consensus of such members), as well as monthly membership fee, and services to be provided. If we develop a membership of say 100 people each paying $100 a month, that would give us a budget of $10,000 a month for covering ongoing costs (taxes, propane, maintenance, etc.), eliminating existing debt (thus reducing debt service costs), developing infrastructure (stage, dance floor, community kitchen structure, great hall, etc.), putting on quality events, including mainland acts, for which public ticket sales could potentially further enhance the community solvency... Members could automatically be entitled to a set number of tickets (e.g. 2 per member?). Even at $20 a month (to start) if we had 100 people that would be $2000 a month, which would cover our current operating costs. If we also had 20 campsites developed and rented (at $100 a month) that would cover operating costs, and a good portion of the contributions by members could go to debt elimination and infrastructure development as well as to support member activities/gatherings. How about we plan a schedule of events for January, to be able to start offering membership on a $20 a month trial basis (one month trial available with sponsorship by an owner or steward). I would love to see at least a weekly gathering with potluck food and music jam session. We could also consider a regular DJ event, if Kai is down for that... I would love to see some kind of camping gathering at each full moon (&/or the weekend closest to the full moon) as well. We already have one scheduled for February, called Pickin' In Pahoa (Bluegrass festival - to be listed this year in Hana Hou magazine!). I would also love to see a weekly community garden and grounds work day. Rae would love to organize a women's clothing swap event. Any other ideas?