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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-GB link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Hi Simon,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Thanks for your email. I have CC’d the QGIS psc and community lists as there are ongoing discussions in the former about this subject. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Raising funding for the QGIS UK User group and Core QGIS project is a great idea. The UK user group is doing an excellent job of promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing within similar public sector organisations. The QGIS Core Project also benefits greatly from donations which it uses for many things, some of which include facilitating developer conferences (two per year) and paying its ongoing infrastructure costs (e.g. hosting). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>However, I believe that inviting sponsorship from companies may affect the independence of the UK User Group which is, at present, an independent group driven by its users. If the user group is to be driven by sponsorship money then a set of clear and transparent guidelines should be put in place publically (such as the ones used at <a href="http://www.qgis.org/en/site/getinvolved/governance/sponsorship/sponsorship.html">qgis.org</a>) to clearly describe what sponsors get in return for their money. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I believe there are two steps for a longer-term and more sustainable approach, both of which are funded by the users themselves:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Short-term: Charge a nominal fee on user-group tickets.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>£15-20 per ticket would more than cover the cost of catering.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>There already appears to be the infrastructure in place to allow OSGeo UK to handle the money.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Attendees suggest / vote where any surplus funds are donated (during the meeting).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The advantages of this first option are its simplicity and the fact that events are ‘contained’ in terms of funding. All those who paid in money are present to have their say of where any excess cash goes. The main disadvantage is having limited spending power (compared with option 2 below). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Long-term: Charge user group members an annual subscription<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Change membership to group members (e.g. £100 per year).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Funds cover X user group meets per year. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Members can vote on how additional funds should be spent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>d.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I believe this is more aligned with the Swiss model<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Although harder to implement and manage, this model would give the user group the ability to fund significant features / enhancements / bug fixes in QGIS which is exactly the position that the Swiss user group are presently enjoying. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Let’s focus on continuing to be a growing, high quality and independent user group. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Kind regards,<br><br>Pete<br><br><br><br><b>Peter Wells</b><br><br><b>Lutra Consulting</b><br></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:gray'>23 Chestnut Close, Burgess Hill, RH15 8HN</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><br><a href="http://www.lutraconsulting.co.uk" target="_blank" title="This external link will open in a new window">www.lutraconsulting.co.uk</a><br>Tel: +44 (0)1444 848012<br>Mob: +44 (0)7704 781683<br>SIP: 1507403@sipgate.co.uk<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>F</span></b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>rom:</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> qgis uk [<a href="mailto:qgis.uk@gmail.com">mailto:qgis.uk@gmail.com</a>] <br><b>Sent:</b> 10 February 2014 11:46<br><b>To:</b> undisclosed-recipients:<br><b>Subject:</b> UK QGIS user group<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Dear sir or madam, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>As an organisation that offers either consultancy, training or technical support for QGIS here in the UK, I would like to make you aware of the UK QGIS user group and its efforts to promote QGIS as an alternative GIS solution. We are currently looking at rising funds for the user group and core QGIS project. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>As such we would like to invite you to make a minimum donation of £250 to the UK QGIS user group for which your organisations logo and details will be added to the UK QGIS user groups website, as well as having your logo placed onto presentation slides at future QGIS meetings*. We will also promote your QGIS services via Google+ and twitter. Your donation is in effect an advertisement subscription and will last 12 months. QGIS usage here in the UK is starting to grow both in the private and public sectors but as well as within charities and with individuals. As a user for QGIS it is therefore in your interest to see the development of this free and open-source solution grow and usage increase. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The UK QGIS is the main source for information on QGIS here in the UK via its website and its growing google+ group. The user group offers you a prime position to advertise your services to this growing market. All donations will be looked after by the OSgeo UK chapter, chaired by Ian Edwards of the Met.Office and will help support future UK QGIS user group meetings, as well as the core development of QGIS. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Donation details <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=36GQBCLSH5JZ6">https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=36GQBCLSH5JZ6</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>UK QGIS website <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><a href="http://ukqgis.wordpress.com/">http://ukqgis.wordpress.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Future events<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/directory/?q=QGIS&loc=United+Kingdom&spellcheck=1">https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/directory/?q=QGIS&loc=United+Kingdom&spellcheck=1</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Please contact me if you would like to make an advertisement donation, so that we can discuss matters further. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>If you think that you could help out the QGIS user group in other ways, such as sponsoring future events (the South-East meeting is currently seeking sponsorship towards catering costs), providing a venue for meetings or offering to host the UK QGIS website then please do get in contact. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Regards<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Simon Miles <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>*with the exception of the fore coming Scottish user group meetings which has been totally funded by ThinkWhere<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></div><p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#999999'>This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#999999'>Whilst reasonable care has been taken to avoid virus transmission, no responsibility for viruses is taken and it is your responsibility to carry out such checks as you feel appropriate.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#999999'>If this email contains a quote or offer to sell products, carry out work or perform services then our <a href="http://www.lutraconsulting.co.uk/downloads/Lutra%20Consulting%20Standard%20Terms%20and%20Conditions.pdf">standard terms and conditions</a> shall apply unless explicitly stated otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#999999'>Saber Razmjooei and Peter Wells trading as Lutra Consulting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>