[Board] USGIF Conference and diatribe on where we are heading

Tue Oct 25 10:03:27 PDT 2011

I would agree that we don't have a clear picture of where we want to go, and
that discussions via IRC aren't going to get us there. I'd be supportive of
a face to face meeting reasonably soon. As I mentioned I'm going pretty much
offline today, for the next two weeks, but after that I have fairly good
availability until Dec 17 when I head to the UK for Christmas.

Cheers,
    Peter.

On Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 10:44 AM, Michael P. Gerlek <mpg at flaxen.com> wrote:

> All:****
>
> ** **
>
> I’m glad Mark sent this, as I’ve been pretty discouraged since our IRC
> meeting a couple weeks ago.****
>
> ** **
>
> I thought the f2f board meeting after foss4g was very effective and got us
> off to a good start, and leaving Denver I had high hopes we could address
> OSGeo’s strategic issues.  However, the subsequent meeting – held via IRC –
> has led me to start to understand why OSGeo has stalled out on the strategic
> side over the past couple years:****
>
> ** **
>
> IRC and email are simply the wrong way for the board to have any sort of
> meaningful discussion****
>
> about “big picture” things of the scope Mark is bringing up.****
>
> ** **
>
> Some weeks ago we “stepped back from a core staff” for two reasons:  our
> current financial posture is unhealthy and our current staff was not seen as
> the best choice as to how to improve that situation.  The more I look at
> OSGeo right now, the more I am confident we did the right thing.  And I too
> want to see OSGeo rebuild itself with a clearer set of goals and
> objectives.  But I’ve yet to see any consensus on what those goals might be,
> or how we might develop a business plan to get there.****
>
> ****
>
> As the Board, it is our responsibility to set those goals and develop that
> plan, and we already agreed that, where justified, OSGeo should pay for
> additional in-person meetings.  Therefore, I propose we meet in person as
> soon as is practical to continue the work started in Denver, to decide in
> what direction we want to grow and make concrete plans for how to get there.
> ****
>
> ** **
>
> As secretary, I would be happy to organize a meeting space here in Seattle
> or anywhere else that might be convenient.  All we need is a hotel
> conference room near a major airport hub for a couple days.****
>
> ** **
>
> -mpg****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* board-bounces at lists.osgeo.org [mailto:
> board-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] *On Behalf Of *Mark Lucas
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 25, 2011 7:54 AM
> *To:* OSGeo-Board List
> *Subject:* [Board] USGIF Conference and diatribe on where we are heading**
> **
>
> ** **
>
> Just got back from the 2011 Geoint Conference in San Antonio Texas.****
>
> http://geoint2011.com/****
>
> ** **
>
> The USGIF is the conference for geospatial intelligence in the US.  This
> year there were over 5000 attendees (138 from overseas- mostly foreign
> military).****
>
> ** **
>
> There over 250  booths and paying sponsors (> 100,000 sq ft of exhibit
> space) .  They have built this organization up to support a full time staff,
> multiple events throughout the year, media publications etc.****
>
> http://www.gotgeoint.com/****
>
> ** **
>
> For the first time, we were able to get on the agenda with an OSS panel.
> ****
>
>
> http://geointv.com/archive/geoint-2011-breakout-demonstration-of-military-relevant-open-source-geospatial-software/
> ****
>
> ** **
>
> Open source software is suddenly interesting because of dramatic budget
> cuts that are planned for most of the agencies.****
>
> ** **
>
> Most of the presentations are online at: http://geointv.com/****
>
> ** **
>
> NSA and NGA both made announcements related to their focus on open source
> software.****
>
> ** **
>
> As the US government shows increasing interest in open source software
> solutions the existing contractors will try to align themselves with those
> capabilities.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> Unfortunately, this comes at a time when the OSGeo has stepped back from a
> core staff and is uncertain about holding annual NA conferences.  Indeed,
> there almost seems to be a reluctance to focus on raising revenue for the
> organization - instead focusing on how to allocate what we have to code
> sprints, travel, etc.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> We want to support the building of open source geospatial software.  I
> would contend that we can do more if we (the board) focus on running the
> organization more like a business.****
>
> ** **
>
> We already do a great job on supporting development.  If we add more
> attention to business models I believe that we have a window of opportunity
> to attract sponsorship from some of the many players that already support
> USGIF.  If the US government continues to move towards OSS, many contractors
> will want to brand themselves with an OSS approach, resources, development
> and operational support.****
>
> ** **
>
> If we do not focus on this we will simply lose the opportunity to USGIF,
> MIL-OSS, OSFA, OSSI or other organizations that will aggressively step
> forward.****
>
> ** **
>
> In either case OSGeo projects will become a valuable resource.  As I
> mentioned before, I was able to convince RadiantBlue to make a $30k
> investment as a platinum foss4g sponsor based on the trends we see
> developing.  I'd like to continue and expand that support, but can only do
> that if there is a business case to be made.****
>
> ** **
>
> I feel that we have fallen backwards.  We failed to raise sponsorship and
> revenue in order to sustain and grow the organization.  That led to decision
> to cut expenses with the removal of the ED.  I get the feeling that some on
> the board are comfortable with the status quo.  It is probably clear that
> I'm in a different camp - we need to raise revenue, get back to where we can
> support core staff, and grow the organization on a couple of fronts.  A
> litmus test for me will be a decision on the annual NA conference.****
>
> ** **
>
> I feel that this is a discussion we should quickly settle one way or the
> other and I'd appreciate any feedback in advance of the next board meeting.
>  Either way I'll continue to be a strong supporter and user of OSGeo
> projects - its just that we all need to decide where we are going to focus
> and put our energies.****
>
> ** **
>
> Mark****
>
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