If us Sacramento area people go through with this, I doubt I will be making dues mandatory. Like someone said, you shouldn't have to pay for someone else's stuff. If you want a shirt, pay for a shirt. You want to go out to eat, pay your own way. It just seems easier that way. Maybe after we get a little more info on how dues would be a GOOD thing, then it'll change. For now, no dues.
As mentioned earlier, attendance will be a problem. Local things should be done when it's convenient for everybody, but bigger meets(like all the NorCal people meeting) should be mandatory.
I think we need to Start off with just a NorCal chapter, and when we have enough people for Sacramento to branch off, then maybe we will split it. For now, I think it's best if it includes everyone form the Bay Area through Sacramento. What do you guys think?