Jay,

I understand your concerns and that Naltea has limited financial and personnel resources. Just as an observation, I think part of the problem you may be having with attracting members is that they may be uncertain as to what it is that they gain in the short term. From what I have read on SOT the objectives of Naltea appear to be in the long term.If Naltea could market a product or service and become self sustaining,  wouldn't that help solve part of the problem? Naltea would have the influx of capital needed, and you would still have the membership fees from incoming members. You would be able to accomplish the short term objectives that would attract new membership.

As to the nature of the product or service is concerned, that is completely up to Naltea. In answer to your question as to whether current members researching and accomplishing the objectives having their contributions of service recognized in return for shares in the enterprise, I would say yes. The corporate law here in Connecticut allows for issuance of shares of stock in recognition for past services rendered.

I really like Ellen's idea of possibly forming a title insurance company. The insurer is paid by the closing agent on the date of closing. After payment of the agent's commission the premium goes immediately into Naltea's treasury. There are certainly enough SOT/Naltea abstractors that would perform the title search/recording function. SOT has the signing agents, attorneys and appraisers necessary to assist in the closing process. All Naltea would have to do is market to the title companies. The title companies can't pressure Naltea to reduce its premiums because they have to be filed with the state. Naltea as a title insurer calls the shots as to the type of abstract needed and the identitity of the abstractor to be employed before issuance of a policy. It becomes a closed system. Their fees are  part of the closing costs, and are not expenses to Naltea. I think that alone may attract many new members since they could see something tangible in return for their membership fee. You could also attract the signing agents and attorneys as associate members of Naltea, and gain membership fees from previously untapped sources.

The one draw back to this idea may be the degree to which the state's insurance commissioner may require escrow funds up front to pay potential claims. You would need to explore whether that would need to be a cash contribution or whether it could be satisfied through a bond or some type of insurance. This is the first question that needs to be asked, if it is financially beyond the reach of Naltea, then it makes no sense to pursue it further. However, this is just one enterprise that Naltea could look into.