Members,
>From
https://docs.peeringdb.com/gov/legaldocs/2026-06-08_PeeringDB_Board_Minutes.pdf
quoting:
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7. Sponsorships.
Some Sponsors are now requiring PeeringDB to accept their terms and
conditions, which PeeringDB has historically declined to sign. The Board
discussed how to handle sponsor terms going forward. Discussion to
continue by email.
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I have informed the Board this would be a terrible mistake. If you feel
similarly, please speak up here and rapidly.
I have drafted a "Donor Contract Policy" (below) to be considered and
hopefully passed by the membership in case the Board or an Officer goes
against the long standing unwritten policy of not entering into agreements
with members/sponsors/donors. It would be good to get this on the books
for current and future Board & Officers to adhere to too.
I would revise this policy as appropriate if no contracts are entered into
by the time the membership considers this policy proposal at the next
annual member meeting.
Respectfully,
Chris
(Secretary & Treasurer 2015-2024)
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- PeeringDB
- DRAFT Donor Contract Policy
- Approved by Membership April ??, 2027
- WHEREAS since the founding of the PeeringDB non-profit corporation in
the year 2015 and until 2026, PeeringDB successfully raised over $2
million U.S. Dollars without engaging into a single contract or Terms
& Conditions with donors.
- WHEREAS PeeringDB is first and foremost a Member-based non-profit in
which donors are granted the privilege of supporting the efforts of
the non-profit in exchange for recognition, but in which primacy
remains with the Membership.
- WHEREAS any contract with a donor creates a legal entanglement and
associated risks with a donor which is not worth any amount of
donation to the non-profit.
- WHEREAS any contract with a donor creates an unfair distinction
between donors and Members in which some entities have a legal
entanglement with PeeringDB while others do not, which goes against
the spirit and intent of being a Member-run non-profit organization in
which all Members are equal and only Members are the empowered
stakeholders of the organization.
- NOW THEREFORE the Membership of PeeringDB makes clear that it is
better to avoid donations from those who require contacts, or Terms &
Conditions, and forbids the Officers of PeeringDB from engaging into
these legal entanglements for the purposes of fundraising.
- FURTHERMORE the Secretary is directed to inform any donors in which a
contract was put into place as part of the donation, that the contract
is being terminated and that they may request a refund to the
PeeringDB Board if so desired, for any time remaining in the
sponsorship.
====
