[North America] Re: [Northamerica] North America Region Chapter motion to OSGeo BOD

[Seven (aka Arnulf)]

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On 11.11.2011 18:31, Frank Warmerdam wrote:
> On 11-11-10 03:17 PM, Tyler Mitchell wrote:
>> Some see this effort as being exclusively focused on DOD or US-specific
>> interests.  I don't think that's Mark's intent though.  It's just worth
>> confirming on this list.  I think the wiki page is general enough
>> already in
>> this respect.
> 
> Tyler,
> 
> I can actually imagine having a Washington area OSGeo chapter with
> some focus on US federal issues (military, intelligence and also
> civilian agencies like NASA, USGS, NOAA, ...) *and* some sort of
> north american level organization that helps stitch together broader
> efforts.
> 
>> Similar to Mark's close connection with defence, I'm hoping we can
>> also make
>> some inroads with the various other industry associations and with
>> academia
>> - there is certainly a regional need here.  I've added GITA to the
>> list of
>> relevant orgs to help show that - though the list could be 10 times as
>> long
>> if add in the CA/US/MX ASPRS chapters, cartographic associations, federal
>> SDI initiatives, open gov, etc.
> 
> Note that Mark was, I believe, listing organizations with a focus
> on open source rather than just organizations with a focus on
> geospatial.
> 
>> A cross-industry chapter, with a focus on industry event outreach
>> could be
>> quite powerful if we have good representation in the chapter for those
>> various industries.
>>
>> = Organization =
>>
>> Wiki stated the intent was to organize as a 501c3, I don't think it's
>> a bad
>> idea, but suspect it's not necessary to commit to it at this time.  It
>> may
>> just cause more concern than benefit.  Some other existing related
>> orgs have
>> 501c3 status and could potentially take us under their wing to
>> simplify the
>> administrative side for us.  I'm thinking specifically of GITA or USGIF.
> 
> I had to read the above over several times to confirm that the most
> obvious candidate was omitted - OSGeo.  I am very dubious about any
> American local chapter seeking 501(c)3 status or even incorporating
> due to the administrative overhead involved.  I don't see any reason
> that OSGeo central could not hold money for a north american conference
> or other chapter initiatives with the understanding we have to keep
> the number of transactions managable.

Yes, I think this is perfectly fine as long as the overhead does not get
too big. If later a need arises to create a separate legal non-profit
entitiy as many local chapters already have then this is also an option.
But whichever way, the local chapter can start to become active any time.

Cheers,
Arnulf

> I think it is quite plausible we could, for instance, open a separate
> bank account that is technically an OSGeo account but with someone
> local to an event effort having signing authority and OSGeo's Treasurer
> just providing some oversight.
> 
>> = Meeting and Events =
>>
>> I'm sure we can all think of other events (past or future) that may be of
>> interest to the group and its objectives.  I didn't add any other
>> specific
>> events, but again think we can build on the strengths of the group.  For
>> example, if we don't have any academic interest, there's no sense
>> adding AAG
>> to the list.
>>
>> So what areas are you interested and what's the top event or two for that
>> area?
>>
>> = OSGeo Connection =
>>
>> Since much of this topic was discussed on some threads with the OSGeo
>> Board
>> today, I think it's easy to confuse what the group is about.  I don't
>> see it
>> as being tied to any particular objective of the board, other than
>> generally
>> to build regional awareness and outreach.
>>
>> There was some talk amongst the board about running a north american
>> event,
>> but it didn't gain traction.  So, really, aside from a general tie-in
>> to the
>> OSGeo mission I think it should be clarified that this chapter isn't
>> looking
>> for any funding or official support from OSGeo to run events on its
>> behalf,
>> etc.  At the most the chapter would look to be accepted as an official
>> chapter.  Is that what you are thinking too Mark, and others?  It will
>> help
>> clear some of the smoke that was in the air during the board meeting :)
> 
> I'm not sure I noticed any smoke.
> 
> I see the North American event effort as conceptually similar to many
> other local chapters holding events.  They are driven by local chapter
> volunteers with local resources and only loosely connected to "OSGeo
> Global".  On that basis there is no reason it can't get going as soon
> as there are interested volunteers willing to push it.
> 
> Now, as it happens, if the focus of a first event is in the
> Washington area and aiming at the federal opportunity that Mark
> has explained elsewhere then I think it is also a strategic
> issue for OSGeo as a whole, and it would be reasonable that
> additional resources could be supplied - primarily in the form
> of seed money since we don't have staff resources we can supply
> now.
> 
> If our focus is an initial event I'd even suggest we not get hung up
> on forming an official north american chapter, and instead treat this
> list as a coordination effort in our region and form a local organizing
> committee for an initial north american OSGeo/FOSS4G event which I hope
> will be focused on the US federal opportunity.
> 
> Best regards,


- -- 
Exploring Space, Time and Mind
http://arnulf.us
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