[Board] foss4g europe

Wed Nov 20 06:28:08 PST 2013

Hi Jeff and others,

I agree, some things should be done in more careful way in the past. I
would say, we are all on the same track right now, working *together*
(by "we" I mean really everybody involved in this discussion, even
offlist), and it helped to clear things up for the future as well.

Thank you for support, me personally will try (as always) to get things
aligned with general opinion. Hard part is to find out, where the
general opinion is, but that is our task, being  open- community.

I also agree with (not only) Daniel's point of view, that, since we are
keeping the FOSS4G as well as OSGeo brands, and we all really *do* care,
what happens to them, some (possible not too tight, but with firm knot)
red tape should be there, since we *all* simply do care. I respect this
(and be very thankful for open discussion and at the end collaboration,
which is already happening).

I have my homeworks now, thank you all

Jachym

Dne 20.11.2013 14:35, Jeff McKenna napsal(a):
> 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).
>>
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-- 
Jachym Cepicky
jachym.cepicky at gmail.com
http://les-ejk.cz
PGP: http://les-ejk.cz/pgp/JachymCepicky.pgp

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