[Aust-NZ] FOSS4G-ANZ?

[Jeff McKenna]

Hi Adam, all,

Great to see the momentum for a FOSS4G-ANZ event!  (as others mentioned, 
this was a hot topic at FOSS4G-Boston, so I am glad to see further 
discussions)

As John, Bruce, and others here can attest, I've been helping organize 
regional and global FOSS4G events now for a long time, and can give some 
open thoughts and advice here (not saying that any of this is useful, 
but just throwing ideas out there for thought).  I also pushed very hard 
for the OSGeo foundation to agree to bring the global event to Sydney 
back in 2008/2009, so I feel that I have a history here and can give 
some advice.

- I think the future model of FOSS4G events can be seen in the recent 
FOSS4G-SotM-AR http://www.foss4g-ar.org/ (Argentina).  Notice how the 
event is a co-event with OSM's State of the Map event.  This absolutely 
makes sense today.  In the past, speaking openly here, there was maybe a 
worry that one event would overshadow the other, etc, so these joined 
events never happened.  Well that is not the case anymore.  I see a 
future where both regional and global FOSS4G and State of the Map teams 
work together (in the past year, Rob Nickerson the State of the Map 
coordinator and I started working together and sharing ideas for the 
events and how they can work more closely together - this direct "phone 
line" is a first step in a closer relationship I believe).

- so I would recommend the name be something like "FOSS4G-SoTM-ANZ"

- it is not too early to start looking at a domain and host for the 
event website.  For example, OSGeo can provide a url of something like 
anz.foss4g.org We/OSGeo would need the IP address where the website is 
hosted, so we can point the domain to that IP. So in other words, you 
need a host machine for the website first.

- it is also a great time to start working on a logo for the event. 
FOSS4G event logos require the FOSS4G ribbon in it (see some examples at 
http://foss4g.org), which is a longtime symbol of sharing of ideas, the 
flow of innovation, in our community.  I think a great way to tackle the 
logo is to setup a logo competition, where the winner gets free 
registration for the event.  Or to directly ask local students to draft 
the logo.  Both are a great way to start promoting the event.

- regarding the OSGeo foundation's requirements for support, well it 
does depend of what 'support' you need.  The OSGeo foundation has 
typically been involved in supporting and providing seed money for the 
annual global event.  That is to say that it isn't possible for OSGeo to 
provide funding for a regional event - really there needs to be a clear 
budget setup, and then a formal request sent to the OSGeo Board mailing 
list for whatever funding you need (likely then your request would be 
added to the next Board meeting, and one of your representatives would 
be asked to attend that meeting, on IRC chat, to discuss that agenda 
item).

- you might consider as part of the FOSS4G-SoTM-ANZ schedule, to hold a 
one-day code sprint (usually on the Saturday after the main talks end), 
and the OSGeo foundation could provide funding for that (see the sprint 
guidelines at https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Code_Sprint_Guidelines). 
Again, a formal request through an email to the OSGeo Board would have 
to be sent.

- note that OSGeo does not require the Aust-NZ local chapter to be 
formalized / incorporated, for any of this to occur.  (from your local 
chapter page I see that incorporation was considered before 
https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Aust-NZ#Incorporation).  What you may need 
though is a bank account, which could spur you to incorporate the local 
chapter.  It is up to you.

- But I can tell you here that the OSGeo foundation is more than willing 
for you to start using the OSGeo logo on your materials, website, 
sponsor prospectus, in order to get moving.

- OSGeo can also setup any new mailing lists you need, or even an email 
alias, such as sponsor-foss4g-anz(at)osgeo.org that would forward to 
your sponsorship team leaders.

I hope this gives your local team some ideas.  I am truly happy and 
excited to see these FOSS4G-ANZ discussions!  Let me know if I can help 
in any way.

Thank you,

-jeff


-- 
Jeff McKenna
President Emeritus, OSGeo Foundation
http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Jeff_McKenna







On 2017-11-20 6:55 AM, adam steer wrote:
> Hi all
> 
> agree with Cameron’s points, and Alex’s, and Toby’s. as a fundamental 
> step, what needs doing to get support from osgeo? formalising the ANZ 
> chapter?
> 
> I’ll ask around at ANU/CSIRO here in CBR also for venue costs/support.
> 
> Fundamental other question: would we want to get this going - in 2018? 
> Could I suggest winter or summer - international f4G is usually 
> August-ish, Locate is April-ish - what about June/July-ish or 
> December-ish for ‘foss4g-anz’?
> 
> Cheers
> Adam
> 
> 
>