Announcement: November 29th, 2002

My fellow members,

I hereby resign my post, effective immediately, as President of the Residential Broadband Users' Association. My decision is final and will not be up for reconsideration. God knows that I've put an enormous amount of thought into this decision over the past couple of months.

I've taken this group as far as it can go, given the current economic, regulatory, political and logistical environment and reality. I'm not prepared to expend any more time and effort than I already have on this endeavour. I apologize in advance to anyone who feels that I am letting them down with this announcement. I really wish things were different, so that I would be compelled to stay on.

I never asked for anything in return- and never received anything- for my efforts over the years. I just wanted results and change for the better- change that benefits each and every one of you. It is unfortunate that we didn't make any progress over the past several months. I'm certainly dissatisfied with our lack of results over that time. This is a contributing factor to my resignation.

I will be keeping my directorship of the corporation, however, in order to ensure three things:
As for a viable replacement for my post, unfortunately I don't think anyone can fill it at this time. I hope I'm wrong, of course. So unless some viable people come forward to continue our advocacy effort, this effort will have to be suspended indefinitely. Our hibernation can last a year, most likely longer. Eventually, though, when the environment changes- and it WILL change- the right people will come out of the woodwork and continue the advocacy effort. Until such a time, however, we would very much like to keep the website fully operational. That way anyone would be able to continue to post their unhindered and uncensored praises and stories of woe, with respect to their various broadband internet services. All other information would be preserved for everyone to see, so that no one ever forgets.

I make a plea to all of you for donations. Thousands of you visit our site each and every day; hundreds for the very first time. We only require a few hundred of you to send us $5-10 each year. This would ensure that our hosting and bandwidth bills are always paid and that our website continues operating for the foreseeable future. There are no other financial obligations for the group. Please send whatever you can spare, even if you think it won't make a difference. Believe me, it will. This is your website. It belongs to you. Keep it alive.

Details on how to submit donations can be found at https://www.rbua.org/members/signup.php

The RBUA is currently the largest independent consumer group within the telecom sphere in all of North America, perhaps even in the entire world. Unfortunately, we remain a completely volunteer organization. Running a non-profit corporation is hard. Running a volunteer group? Well, let's just say that it's a touch more difficult. And complicated.

I did the absolute best that I could and gave this group my all for the past several years. I've put in a great deal of time, money and effort to help champion the cause of my fellow subscribers for as long as I have been involved with this organization. Now that I can't anymore I'm gone.

How will I end this message? No regrets, no tears and no shots at Bell, Rogers, or anyone else. Instead, a quotation that I came across a few months ago in a book I read:

"Look at the world around you. It may seem like an immovable, implacable place. It is not. With the slightest push - in just the right place - it can be tipped."

From The Tipping Point (2000) by Malcolm Gladwell

The consumer resurgence is just beginning. And we're part of it. We were the very first and there will be many others. We will take back what belongs to us.

If anyone has any questions about my decision, additions to our senior membership, or anything else, please feel free to e-mail me at any time at chrisw@rbua.org.

Regards and thanks for the experience

Chris Weisdorf

All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Send your comments concerning this site to the Webmaster (webmaster@rbua.org).
All other questions should be directed to the Appropriate Regional Representative
Content on site ©1999-2005 Residential Broadband Users' Association.
Design and Implementation by Nexus Internet Services