[North America] updated status 25 Nov 2011

[Mark Lucas]

Daniel,

Good advice and I think it is something we should follow through with.  Given the timeline and current focus on repeating a Denver GITA event we are operating more in a 'benevolent dictator' mode to get some forward motion started.  At this point, anyone on the list can jump in, hoist some sails, and grab the tiller for a while (as long as we are heading out of the harbor).  My bias is that the contributors are the ones that get to vote, so we will have to try and figure out a way to establish a PSC that is meaningful.  For now, everyone on the mailing list has a voice - if someone has a better idea of how to organize the first regional conference before summer we'd really like to hear about it.

I'd suggest that we set a goal to organize a mailing list vote before the end of the year for a chapter president.  For the time being, as required by the submission rules, I've put my name down as board liaison for the chapter.  I've also volunteered to take the lead on organizing the conference.  Nothing would make me happier than see someone come forward and take the lead - I just want to make sure that we get this started.

By the way, I was in the early conferences in Minneapolis and Ottawa - those were great conferences.

Mark


On Nov 25, 2011, at 3:36 PM, Daniel Morissette wrote:

> On 11-11-25 11:32 AM, Mark Lucas wrote:
>> 
>> There has been very constructive discussion on the various lists related
>> to the North America chapter, ideas for an annual regional conference,
>> and what can be done to assist the international event in Beijing this
>> year. I think most of the questions are being addressed adequately and I
>> sense that we are headed for approving the NA chapter at the next board
>> meeting the first part of December. If we have missed anything, or
>> anyone has questions, pleased let us know so we can do our best to
>> address any concerns and promote good ideas.
>> 
> 
> One suggestion: even if that is not a documented requirement I would suggest that the NA chapter form a steering committee responsible for making all decisions relating to the chapter and a possible conference.
> 
> This steering committee would have open operation rules similar to OSGeo's project PSCs, with an open/balanced membership, etc. A committee with 5 or 7 interested parties could be good to get started.
> 
> I suggest this because one of the tough decision that this committee will have to make eventually is the location of the conference each year... a decision that is much easier to make for a well identified steering committee than a single individual trying to gather consensus from an unorganized group.
> 
> I speak from experience, having witnessed the tough decision process to decide on the MapServer Users Meeting location after the first years in Minneapolis and Ottawa. If there had been an organized steering committee for this event at the time it would have been easier to plan each of the following year's location (the problem went away when OSGeo was created of course).
> 
> -- 
> Daniel Morissette
> http://www.mapgears.com/
> Provider of Professional MapServer Support since 2000
> 
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