[OSGeo-Discuss] What is the point in formalising OSGeo Local Chapters?

[Jody Garnett]

Nice - so Aust-NZ may already qualify :-)  

--  
Jody Garnett


On Friday, 27 January 2012 at 1:11 AM, Daniel Morissette wrote:

> Please also note that you do not need a legal entity to qualify as a  
> local chapter, so being an OSGeo local chapter can be very lightweight  
> contrary to what was suggested in the thread. Several OSGeo local  
> chapters are only virtual groups with a small steering committee,  
> mailing list, website and in some cases ad-hoc face to face meetings.
>  
> Daniel
>  
> On 12-01-26 2:32 AM, Jody Garnett wrote:
> > The magic of cross posting…
> >  
> > This conversation started as a discussion on a different topic -> is
> > there any interest in having a conference, unconference or code sprint
> > in the Aust-NZ region :-)
> >  
> > As for the benefits of a local chapter; it may in fact being limited to
> > running a regional conference (with the NA group as an example of a
> > local chapter being formed for this purpose). The prospect of reporting
> > in the Annual meeting or OSGeo newsletter is another benefit of a local
> > chapter - however I tend to promote direct involvement in OSGeo projects
> > and committees as an alternative.
> >  
> > --
> > Jody Garnett
> >  
> > On Wednesday, 25 January 2012 at 7:30 PM, Cameron Shorter wrote:
> >  
> > > OSGeo Discuss,
> > >  
> > > In Australia/New Zealand we have been discussing whether we should
> > > legally "formalise" the Aust-NZ OSGeo chapter, and come to the
> > > conclusion that we gain little, and loose a lot by becoming legal.
> > > Email discussion here:
> > > http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/aust-nz/2012-January/thread.html
> > >  
> > > Highlights:
> > >  
> > > On 3/01/2012 1:12 PM, Jody Garnett wrote:
> > > > Where did we get to on this Aust-NZ local chapter stuff? As I recall
> > > > we still need to register as a non profit; have a meeting with
> > > > minuets, and set up a back account.
> > > >  
> > >  
> > > On 5/01/2012 11:06 AM, Jody Garnett wrote:
> > > > 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.
> > > >  
> > >  
> > > On 6/01/2012 6:51 AM, Cameron Shorter wrote:
> > > > 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).
> > > >  
> > > > 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.
> > > >  
> > >  
> > > On 6/01/2012 7:58 AM, mapbutcher wrote:
> > > > In this modern age of 'meetups' do such chapters have a place? What
> > > > does a chapter actually provide?
> > > >  
> > > > 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 [international foss4g]
> > > > conference without a chapter if my memory serves me correctly
> > > >  
> > >  
> > > On 6/01/2012 8:49 AM, Bruce Bannerman wrote:
> > > > I see greater benefit from a ‘virtual’ community, particularly
> > > > considering the broad geographic region the we cover.
> > > >  
> > > > We don’t necessarily need an ‘entity’ as the ‘go to’ body for the
> > > > Local Chapter. The mailing list and Wiki could perhaps suffice.
> > > >  
> > > > As I see it we have a reasonably robust community as it is (if rather
> > > > quiet at present).
> > > >  
> > >  
> > >  
> > >  
> > >  
> > > --
> > > Cameron Shorter
> > > Geospatial Solutions Manager
> > > Tel: +61 (0)2 8570 5050
> > > Mob: +61 (0)419 142 254
> > >  
> > > Think Globally, Fix Locally
> > > Geospatial Solutions enhanced with Open Standards and Open Source
> > > http://www.lisasoft.com
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Discuss mailing list
> > > Discuss at lists.osgeo.org <mailto:Discuss at lists.osgeo.org>
> > > http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> > >  
> >  
> >  
> >  
> >  
> > _______________________________________________
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> >  
>  
>  
>  
> --  
> Daniel Morissette
> http://www.mapgears.com/
> Provider of Professional MapServer Support since 2000
>  
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