[Board] 2012 FOSS4G Decision

[Tim Sutton]

Hi

(with apologies to anti-top-posters)

As a bystander to the list and non board member I hope its ok to add
my 2c to the discussion. I think Arnulf raises some interesting points
but I do wonder if pure (or even predominantly) financial
considerations should be the decider for where FOSS4G conferences get
held.

"To support the development of open source Geospatial Software, and
promote its widespread use."[1]

I am not sure if this is the current and final version of OSGEO's
mission statement, but it is certainly the way I and many others
perceive its role. I appreciate that money is probably the grease that
keeps the cogs of the machine turning, but holding FOSS4G in disparate
locations around the world certainly takes the organisation a long way
to achieving its mission. My personal experience from the Cape Town
FOSS4G is that it played a huge role in exposing (and prompting use
of) FOSSGIS software to an audience that would otherwise still be
oblivious to it. I suspect a conference in China would have a similar
effect there and build strong interest and participation from a region
which as you have pointed out probably could use some stimulus.

Of course it doesn't help if holding the conference there sends OSGEO
to the scrap yard, but if it can be done without breaking the bank, go
for it!

All the best

Regards

Tim


[1] http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/OSGeo_Mission#What_the_Mission_Statement_looks_like_Today


On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 10:06 PM, Tyler Mitchell <tmitchell at osgeo.org> wrote:
> On 2011-09-14, at 6:42 AM, Seven (aka Arnulf) wrote:
>
>> Ideally this money comes
>> right back with the conference - but we will have to back it up as a
>> foundation with a vote - now!
>
> Arnulf,
>
> The financial discussions usually happen when the board approves
> the final FOSS4G budget later on, right?  Selecting the venue does not mean
> approving the final budget, so there will be time for building in changes.
> The vote only has to be a confirmation of the conference committee's bid selection.
>
> Regardless of our current financial situation (or the proposed expenditures),
> I'm concerned to see financial commitments, new job positions, FOSS4G planning...
> all being hastily mixed into this vote.
>
> Even though they are often fine ideas at the end of the day, this impulsive and
> spontaneous approach to financial planning and decision making doesn't
> help us plan for the future or to build a stable strategy.  Ultimately, I think this
> decision making approach is crippling to the organisation in the long run.
>
> I'm glad you will have a chance for (almost all of you) to iron out some of these
> kinks later in the week.
>
> Tyler_______________________________________________
> Board mailing list
> Board at lists.osgeo.org
> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/board
>



-- 
Tim Sutton - QGIS Project Steering Committee Member (Release  Manager)
==============================================
Visit http://linfiniti.com to find out about:
 * QGIS programming services
 * Mapserver and PostGIS based hosting plans
 * FOSS Consulting Services
Skype: timlinux Irc: timlinux on #qgis at freenode.net
==============================================