I tend to agree with Cameron on this issue, I am unclear of the benefits of being 'formed'? In fact quite the opposite, if I remember correctly one of the reasons groups such as the Melbourne Open GIS group sprung up a few years ago was because a few of us had attended fledgling Osgeo chapter meetings and we're dissatisfied by the proportion of bureacracy to content, so we felt our time was better spent actually organizing something people were interested in rather than redundant process and procedure.<br>
<br>In this modern age of 'meetups' do such chapters have a place? What does a chapter actually provide? <br><br>The organic development of groups across the country in the past year has evidenced a growing interest and adoption of open source. It has not required a chapter to support this growth. There are adequate means of communication to support cross pollination between these groups IMO. We even managed to organize a conference without a chapter if my memory serves me correctly<br>
<br>I would not support such an effort unless clear benefits were apparent, and if we close of this thread with a decision, perhaps we could update the wiki to state 'alive but unformed'<br><br>Simon<br><br>On Friday, January 6, 2012, Cameron Shorter <<a href="mailto:cameron.shorter@gmail.com">cameron.shorter@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
> Right, so osgeo aust-nz would change from unofficial to official in the eyes of osgeo. I see very little benefit from that. I don't think we will attract any more osgeo converts from such a title. (If we need an official title, we can always call upon the greater OSGeo organisation).<br>
><br>> However, I do see a large drain on volunteer time. As soon as we require money to run, we need to worry about chasing people or organisations for membership fees, which is an unpleasant task which sucks up lots of valuable volunteer times.<br>
><br>> On 05/01/12 11:06, Jody Garnett wrote:<br>><br>> The benefit would be an OSGeo local chapter; right now we have not "formed" as I understand it and are still listed as under construction on the OSGeo wiki.<br>
> While I don't mind speaking as a OSGeo charter member at functions; it would be nice to have a local chapter in the region.<br>> My understanding is that OSGeo seems to be taking a real turn for getting out of the way and letting local chapters do the work. I expect the formation of a "north american" local chapter to be the final step in this process.<br>
> --<br>> Jody Garnett<br>><br>> On Wednesday, 4 January 2012 at 6:14 AM, Cameron Shorter wrote:<br>><br>> On 03/01/12 13:12, Jody Garnett wrote:<br>><br>> Where did we get to on this Aust-NZ local chapter stuff? As I recall<br>
> we still need to register as a non profit; have a meeting with<br>> minuets, and set up a back account. Pretty sure that should be in<br>> reverse order.<br>><br>> Before registering, setting up accounts etc, I question what value we<br>
> gain by setting up such official structures.<br>> Registering, collecting minutes, running a bank account all suck a large<br>> amount of volunteer time, with no net gain.<br>> I see our primary goals being the promotion of OSGeo values in a local<br>
> context - like the meetups you mentioned. This can be achieved without a<br>> bank account.<br>> _______________________________________________<br>> Aust-NZ mailing list<br>> <a href="mailto:Aust-NZ@lists.osgeo.org">Aust-NZ@lists.osgeo.org</a><br>
> <a href="http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/aust-nz">http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/aust-nz</a><br>><br>><br><br>-- <br>S<br>