If I may collect some of the points that have already been made on this
subject and add an opinion or two ...

  - I think Tom said funds are not needed (yet).

  - Let's wait for the new list "mom" to give us a realistic need before
talking about assessing "dues".

  - Apparently Tom was able to absorb access fees somehow.  Steep monthly
access fees could change everything.  But let's assume that operating costs
will not change substantially until we know different.

  - Then letting us know about actual needs and reminding us how we can
contribute may be all that's necessary.  A voluntary donation system.

  - Tom made a point many may have missed.  That is, managing list funds
could be a real PITA (especially monthly fees/dues), a lot of work and would
certainly be a major time sink!  Who needs it?  (BTDT)

  - The list parts dealers (or many of them) are already freely contributing
to the most valuable commodity we have.  The collective expert information
base!  Why talk of charging them for that?

Just my thoughts.  FWIW.

//Jack