The quest for both of these modules is a worthy endeavor, for sure! In fact, it has been kicking around for quite a while - and monitoring MS has been keenly observed.
The DIS module is critically important; made more so by limited availability of spares, and (frankly) Graham is and we're all aware of that.
I believe a Registry endeavor to resolve the availability of these critical parts is well within the purview of "Keeping The Legend Alive". At present, the club hasn't got an R&D entity or committee to address critical components. Maybe it is high time the Club should consider one? After all, these critical items aren't getting any more available with the passing years, right?
We're a NON-PROFIT organization. At the moment, the Registry budget (available to inspect by all club members on the Members Only site) is essentially balanced between dues and outlay for everything the Registry does (e.g., organizing local and regional gatherings, the FORUM licensing and maintenance, membership perks, etc.). We have to operate within the non-profit rules for tax exemption purposes.
NOT that we "can't" embark on a quest to resolve/develop (these) parts, and I believe maybe the Club should. But, we have to secure resources (people and $$$) to head up the development w/o nullifying our tax-exempt status; e.g., agreeing as a club to increase dues to fund efforts to procure say an outside source for the DIS module.
Having been involved in R&D (in a previous life), I have some ideas on some of the key points of such an endeavor, and I think the Club would benefit greatly by tapping into the enormous talent held by certain members of the organization, as well as others (e.g., Jerry) who may have already embarked on "the quest".
Discussion, pro-con, is welcome and healthy and certainly germane to the preservation of our cars . But, before volunteering "somebody or the BOD", understand it is going to require the commitment of tremendous time and effort and talent to guide the process through. And, to keep us out of legal trouble (taxes for one thing) certain steps will have to be considered and taken before any $$ collected or is diverted to the effort.
Note: Anything I've said here is w/o intent of malice, and I don't believe I have over-stepped any rules of decorum, far as being a member of the BOD goes, as it pertains to simply opening a discussing at this point. But, any Registry sanctioned/funded efforts (business) of this sort will have to be done with direct BOD involvement to assure we remain w/in legal (tax exempt) and by-laws guide lines. Independent persons/group efforts NOT entangling the Club in any way are not withstanding, of course.
