<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space; "><DIV><DIV>On 4-Sep-06, at 6:38 PM, Gary Lang wrote:</DIV><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"> <P dir="LTR"><SPAN lang="en-us"><FONT size="2" face="Arial">“</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"><FONT size="2" face="Arial">How to enable more people to participate in OSGeo efforts (make it less</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"> <FONT size="2" face="Arial">N</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"><FONT size="2" face="Arial">orth</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"><FONT size="2" face="Arial">-</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"><FONT size="2" face="Arial">America centric which is getting to be an issue in European GFOSS communities)</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"><FONT size="2" face="Arial">”</FONT></SPAN></P></BLOCKQUOTE>Is this purely an issue about optics - or how the organisation 'appears' to be? Or is it based on some deliberate decisions that make it more difficult to participate? </DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>I think it's a good idea to discuss more generally how we can engage people Internationally, but I don't see it as a North America versus the rest of the world problem. With such a broad geographically based board, I'd say it has in fact slowed down the progress of the foundation - but it has been a really good choice to have that representation. <DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Like you say, when any group wants to do more or feel closer to the action, it sets the stage for regional chapters. Surely people wouldn't say, for example, the German Chapter of OSGeo is too North American focused? Yet we are all OSGeo. Local focus is the reason for the chapters, so engagement at that level will be the most effective and empowering.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>If there are more Americans and Canadians involved in events, etc. it's only because of regional interest and availability (e.g. being closer to certain conferences, etc) - not because of some decision to leave others out in the rain. I hope that isn't the perceived problem.</DIV><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><P dir="LTR"><SPAN lang="en-us"><FONT size="2" face="Arial">So to the second half, please chime in and help us understand</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"> <FONT size="2" face="Arial">what problems we are seeing with respect to a perceived</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"> <FONT size="2" face="Arial">“</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"><FONT size="2" face="Arial">geo-centricism</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"><FONT size="2" face="Arial">”</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"><FONT size="2" face="Arial"> with OSGeo with</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"> <FONT size="2" face="Arial">respect</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"><FONT size="2" face="Arial"> to tour colleagues in Europe.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"> <FONT size="2" face="Arial">When I look at the composition of the OSGeo board, the projects that are out there, and how easy it is for</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"> <FONT size="2" face="Arial">regions</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN lang="en-us"><FONT size="2" face="Arial"> of the world to get involved when they decide to do so, I confess I am stumped on this one.</FONT></SPAN></P></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><DIV>I would also like to know what is holding people back from participating in other countries, if there are more than a few. From others I talk to around the world, there is general enthusiasm for OSGeo and its efforts - a tiny minority have expressed concern about geographic scope and focus. </DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>In my opinion, tone problem I see is that without more interactive contacts with people on the ground in other countries, it can limit the amount of momentum OSGeo can gather (e.g. representing at conferences, making presentations, etc.). It has been my hope that our international board provides a good way of making those connections possible, as well as the regional chapters. Perhaps this is the limitation? Or perhaps there is a better way?</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Would love to hear more thoughts on this,</DIV><DIV>Tyler</DIV></BODY></HTML>