OSGeo-Board IRC Pointer

[Gary Lang]

Incubation: We don't need to settle it, just touch on it, since people
are asking. We need to have a position on it.

" I claim that we aren't aiming for substantial amounts of money in
personal contributions to support the foundation so 501c3 status will
not be a significant benefit."

Define "substantial" first. You were in the funding group. How would you
raise the $150K, for example?

Gary

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Warmerdam [mailto:fwarmerdam at gmail.com] On Behalf Of Frank
Warmerdam (External)
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2006 12:15 PM
To: board at board.osgeo.org
Cc: Daniel Brookshier; Rich Steele; Laura Rivera; Allan Doyle
Subject: Re: OSGeo-Board IRC Pointer

Gary Lang wrote:
> I suggest we let Laura schedule the next meeting. The topics we need 
> to discuss in order of time criticality are:
> 
> a) Agreement on a legal framework for the official corporation, 
> setting up the company, etc. In general, making the foundation legal.
> b) Setting up a bank account. 
> c) Insurance for board members
> d) Web site items as you discuss below
> e) Discussion of project incubation
> 
> Given the topics, Rich certainly needs to be there.

Gary / Laura,

I have noted your items (possibly paraphrased) at:

   http://www.fossgis.de/osgeo/index.php/First_Board_Meeting#Agenda

Markus and Arnulf have indicated Friday as a good candidate (as noted at
bottom of wiki page).  Perhaps Laura could follow up with Chris, Rich
and DanielB to finialize a time.

It is my opinion that project incubation will require some ongoing
discussion and be hard to "settle" in the board meeting.  I remind
everyone that some notes on project submission, evaluation and
incubation can be found
at:

 
http://www.fossgis.de/osgeo/index.php/Proposed_Project_Submission_Proces
s

Please don't hesitate to add notes there, or comment on it.

On the issue of "legal framework", I think we have a major decision to
make on whether to be a 501c3 corporation (ie. charitable).  I am
concerned that doing so may bind our hands to a significant degree on
the things we can spend money on, and that it may be difficult getting
one third of our finances from sources that would qualify as the
"public"
as required to my understanding.  As well 501c3 status may tie our hands
in a variety of other regards, such as providing tangible benefits to
sponsors in return for contributions.

My understanding is that the primary benefit of 501c3 status is that US
private individuals can donate money to the foundation and treat it as
charitable for tax purposes.  But that this does not benefit citizens of
any other country, nor businesses who can just treat any
contribution as a business cost.   Is that right?

I claim that we aren't aiming for substantial amounts of money in
personal contributions to support the foundation so 501c3 status will
not be a significant benefit.

I would appreciate some discussion on this topic before we commit to
501c3 (or against 501c3) status.

PS. I have cc:ed Allan Doyle on this since he is familiar with many of
these issues and what little I know I got from him.

Best regards,
-- 
---------------------------------------+--------------------------------
---------------------------------------+------
I set the clouds in motion - turn up   | Frank Warmerdam,
warmerdam at pobox.com
light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
and watch the world go round - Rush    | Geospatial Programmer for Rent


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