The Artifex became a Texas registered non-profit organization in 2000 under the name Artifex.org. It has its own bank account, owns its own equipment, and is directly responsible for the administration of the Artifex servers. Within the year, Artifex.org will get 501(c)3 status so that it can receive tax deductible donations (knock on wood). All this has been done in the interest of making the Artifex a more permanent, self-perpetuating community.

Like the accounts it provides, membership with Artifex.org is open to the public. Ok, you say. But how does my Artifex account correspond with membership in the organization?

When you first get your account, there is no automatic process that registers you as member. Rather, you can choose. To sign up or sign out of membership with Artifex.org, log into the artifex.org by ssh (click here to use the java applet), and do this from your command prompt:

hblanks@lunar:~$ membership.pl

And what good is membership? Your membership provides you with two things: a say in the management of the Artifex, and a means for the Artifex to contact you in the event of any server mishap.

The last board meeting took place on June 12th, 2003. Our next one will be in the winter. The self-perpetuating board currently has three long-term directors, Ben Eloy, Jack Lange, Hunter Blanks. An additonal director is elected from the general membership every year -- but since nobody ran this year, that means that any member can come to the meetings and share their vote in the Artifex business.

Who does what? Currently the officers of the Artifex are:

• Hunter Blanks, President
• Ben Eloy, VP and Treasurer
• Jack Lange, Secretary

If you are interested in being an officer, a member trustee, or even a long-term director, write to board at the Artifex.org server.

• Articles of Incorporation: This document is what makes us incorporated in the State of Texas, and gets us status as a registered non-profit organization. It contains information about where money should go and not go, how the organization may be dissolved, who comprises the starting board of directors, and the registered agent of the corporation.

• By-Laws: This document outlines the working of the officers, members, and board of directors. It also deals with indemnity. Unlike the Articles, which generally will not change, the By-Laws can be amended by the board easily as needed.