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Annual fees may defeat the original concept of web based Special Interest Groups! I agree with Jason's comments on this point.
Less experienced members (like me), all benefit from the continued involvement of those older more experienced Amateur Astronomers, who could easily spend their time elsewhere. So why punish them with fees?
However perhaps a join-up fee of AUD10 would achieve a similar outcome to that part of Chris's suggestions. But keep it small, so school age would be astronomers will not be deterred!
More importantly the intention of Chris's suggestion should include the introduction of a more rigorous requirement to provide real personal identity information on the membership form. Plus a more explicit statement beside the "tick the box" - indicating this has legal implications contained in the "Terms of Service and Privacy Policy".
Obviously real personal identity information should be protected within a Privacy Policy statement, but should allow Website Owners the right to provide this information to the Police; when suspected fraud; or other serious breaches of TOS&PP occur.
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