OSGeo-Board IRC Pointer

[Daniel Brookshier]

I am fine with any time Friday.

Daniel Brookshier
Community Manager
214-207-6614

On Feb 13, 2006, at 2:15 PM, Frank Warmerdam wrote:

> 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_Process
>
> 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
>