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Fair enough - and I love meeting new customers at open source functions such as meet ups.</div><div><br></div><div>However the point (of an informal or formal local chapter) is to promote open source spatial in Australia and New Zealand. As an open source lead (i.e. volunteer) I want in on that action so I can meet and attract new developers.</div><div><br></div><div>The foundation does have a chance to promote organisations; it has a few high level agreements (such as with OGC); and right now treads a very careful line between promoting any and all open source companies (with a directory of service providers) balanced again a list of sponsors who pay for the party.</div><div><br></div><div>- http://www.osgeo.org/content/sponsorship/sponsors.html</div><div>- http://www.osgeo.org/search_profile</div><div>- http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Case_Studies</div><div><br></div><div>I am not sure if it would make it easier or harder if a local chapter started accepting sponsorships? Or if anyone would be interested in sponsoring an Aust-NZ local chapter.</div><div><br></div><div>Aside: I figure LISAsoft is doing just fine at promoting itself; I try and pitch in as an employee (for example LISAsoft was kind enough to send me Spatial@Gov). However I do not presume to speak on behalf of LISAsoft; or any customers I am working with unless prior arrangements have been made.</div><div><br></div><div>Summary: I would like an effective Aust-NZ OSGeo chapter to be available so I can make effective use of my limited volunteer time. If it is not official it is not quite as effective collaboration and recruitment tool for me.</div><div><br></div><div>-- <br>Jody Garnett<br><div><br></div></div>
<p style="color: #A0A0A8;">On Monday, 9 January 2012 at 7:30 AM, Cameron Shorter wrote:</p>
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<span><div><div><div>On 08/01/12 17:44, Jody Garnett wrote:</div><blockquote type="cite"><div><div>There is one small effect: If I organise an event as myself it is </div><div>often viewed as representing my employer. This is despite me always </div><div>being clear when I represent LISAsoft.</div></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div>Jody,</div><div><br></div><div>You hold a position of influence at LISAsoft. You hold a position of </div><div>influence in the OSGeo scene. And LISAsoft has a stated interest in </div><div>providing commercial support for Open Source Software.</div><div><br></div><div>People will join the dots whether you OSGeo is a formed or unformed </div><div>chapter. I guess that could be seen as a downside for having a company </div><div>hire you for your Open Source credentials. I hope that the flipside of </div><div>spending large parts of your working days on Open Source makes up for it.</div><div><br></div><div>_______________________________________________</div><div>Aust-NZ mailing list</div><div><a href="mailto:Aust-NZ@lists.osgeo.org">Aust-NZ@lists.osgeo.org</a></div><div><a href="http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/aust-nz">http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/aust-nz</a></div></div></div></span>
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