[Board] Proposal/thoughts for a FOSS4G Advisor Role

[Frank Warmerdam]

On 11-11-22 04:24 PM, maplabs at light42.com wrote:
> I'll offer this brief comment in the spirit that it might aid the Board (and
> therefore OSGeo)
>
>
> Three Ways to View the Conference and Advisor
>
> (a Framework for Inquiry)
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Profit Center Model
>
>
> Programs Model
>
>
> Organizing Principles Model

Brian,

I'm not quite sure what the implications of the above are.  I will confess
for the most part I think of OSGeo in the "Programs Model".  I see FOSS4G
as a good-in-itself and it's delivery as a goal of OSGeo.  I worry about
treating it primarily as a profit center for fear of failing to delivery on
the real purpose of holding it.

With regard to the organizing principles model, I am not quite sure how
to approach it.  But I will say I think that our slice of the open source
world is operating under organizing principles that I don't entirely
understand but I do worry about fouling them up with heavy handed actions
by OSGeo.  When uncertain I am often inclined to let the normal open
source volunteer ethic run it's course for fear of messing up the magic
of the FOSS operating principles.  But I wouldn't have gotten involved
in launching OSGeo if I didn't think we could, with care, accelerate or
super-charge the virtuous cycle.

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