[Board] foss4g europe

[Jeff McKenna]

Hello everyone,

I've been quiet on this, well because I come in from so many angles on
this, and have been letting the discussion happen.  However so many
people are sending me direct private messages asking for my opinions,
that I feel I must respond now.

The FOSS4G brand is world-wide, and known much more than even the
OSGeo brand/foundation.

Several years ago I championed a push to make FOSS4G a priority for
the foundation, and even pushed to fund a part-time position dedicated
to the brand.  The dice didn't roll my way, but what did happen was my
mind was cleared, and I was able to step back and see FOSS4G for what
it is: a way for local communities to get together to share their Open
Source geospatial passion.

I've moved on from that experience to now support strongly the
formation of local events (regional FOSS4Gs), and let local organizers
be free to create their own event, with their own vision and passion.

This brings me to the topic of this email thread.  I do constantly
approve OSGeo's support for smaller events, without forcing the local
organizers through the red tape of the Board and its formalities (yes
this may offend some OSGeo hardliners).  I have been doing so with
Jachym offline, as well as several other future local FOSS4G events
that are in talks right now (yes exciting, there are several in the
works).

Of course when the local event need more official support such as
funding, well then that is a different story.  And I think things are
working well when that is required.

What I do not want is for any more work/responsibilities to be put on
the volunteers in the Conference Committee. Yes I know that all too
well too.  So if we as a Board do want to make FOSS4G a priority, and
focus on supporting other regional events, well then we must allocate
resources (yes open our wallets).  Until that time comes, we cannot
put any more tasks to this volunteer committee (i.e. leave them to
manage the global FOSS4G rfp decisions).

I was hoping to explain this in the upcoming Board face-to-face
meeting, but I am fine to discuss this publicly here.

Has Jachym done anything wrong?  Not at all.  He's trying to openly
promote FOSS4G around Europe.

Is this the first time someone was offended by a FOSS4G forming by one
specific group?  Not at all, I hear this often.

We are all volunteers and we are trying our best.  Jachym pulled me
into a discussion with Marco from FOSSGIS, in Nottingham, and I was
impressed with how open the ideas were.  It is too bad that some are
offended now.

Did we offend some 10 years ago when the GRASS and MapServer
communities were merged into the FOSS4G event? Yes, I heard similar
concerns back then.  Everyone is very careful to not lose the core
feel of their event.

I realize I am not solving anything here in my email response. But I
hope we can all work together to let these great local/regional FOSS4G
events continue to grow without putting too much requirements on them.

Your President and friend,

-jeff





On 2013-11-20 5:12 AM, Seven (aka Arnulf) wrote:
> 
> Just one last time, for the record: The initial stir caused by
> FOSS4G-E was simply caused by announcing an event without involving
> the local community. Specifically: The FOSSGIS organizers
> (including myself) heard of FOSS4G-E for the first time when it was
> officially announced at FOSS4G in Nottingham. That was a very bad
> move because we are used to selecting conference venues
> transparently. We make sure that dates do not overlap and we don't
> cannibalize each other's attendees, etc. None of these concerns
> were addressed publicly, hence people were angered. Simple as
> that.
> 
> I suggest that we make it a rule that anybody wanting to make use
> of the brand FOSS4G must first announce this on conference dev
> (will make this a separate motion on their list). Fur us Local
> Chaps it is really this very first announcement which is so
> important because then people can wrap their head around it, voice
> their concerns, offer to help, etc.
> 
> I hope that this clears up the confusion around FOSS4G-E 2014. We
> will do our best to support FOSSGIS, the OSGeo day at AGIT and
> FOSS4G-E.
> 
> In a nutshell: Next time anything happens in Germany kindly let
> the Local Chapter know beforehand (just like anywhere else in the
> world).
>