[Board] My attendance in Portland

Mon Jul 14 07:15:42 PDT 2014

Hi Steven, it's a tough spot for sure; I've also been warned by several
charter members to never ever promote my own company when I represent
OSGeo...so imagine, quite a spot to be in.  (the concept of a single
business card, with OSGeo on one side and your company on the other,
just doesn't fly with community members, I was strongly warned by
certain charter members, to my face, who are trying hard to run their
own companies in our 'ecosystem').  Anyway I didn't mean to start a big
discussion on funding, it is more of something to keep in mind as we ask
more and more of our volunteers.

-jeff

On 2014-07-14, 3:13 PM, Steven Feldman wrote:
> Jeff’s response prompts me to wonder whether as OSGeo's reach and
> aspirations grow we need to consider whether some employed resources are
> needed? There is only so much that we can expect from people who have to
> put food on the table each month via their day jobs.
> ______
> Steven
> 
> 
> On 14 Jul 2014, at 14:00, board-request at lists.osgeo.org
> <mailto:board-request at lists.osgeo.org> wrote:
> 
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>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. Re: My attendance in Portland (Jeff McKenna)
>>   2. Re: [FOSS4GE board] sprint support organization (Jachym Cepicky)
>>
>> *From: *Jeff McKenna <jmckenna at gatewaygeomatics.com>
>> *Subject: **Re: [Board] My attendance in Portland*
>> *Date: *14 July 2014 12:30:54 BST
>> *To: *board at lists.osgeo.org
>>
>>
>> Hi Cameron,
>>
>> I would agree that it is very important to have a face of OSGeo
>> representing the foundation at the main FOSS4G event.
>>
>> As I grow into this role (I've only been President for about 1.5 years
>> now) I realize the demands of the position, and how important it is to
>> build and maintain relationships (especially with other foundations and
>> groups in our 'ecosystem').  There is a lot to the position, and a lot
>> that no one sees (I am brought into discussions as OSGeo president
>> almost every day it seems).
>>
>> With that said, adding to my responsibilities, with already so much on
>> my plate, is not possible.  Plus you can search the OSGeo Marketing
>> mailing list for questions from me about this time last year for booth
>> materials for Nottingham (unanswered, materials non-existent).  The
>> reality is that it always comes down to boots-on-the-ground for making
>> the booth happen (massive thanks to Ian Edwards last year in Nottingham,
>> as an example).  As president I will be already pulled into so many
>> things in Portland.
>>
>> As an example, the LOC is already on me about the AGM...and I must soon
>> start the Sol Katz process...likely help Jorge with elections....    get
>> my drift?
>>
>> Also, unfortunately again charter members send me private messages
>> saying great things that I want the whole community to hear - but in the
>> end it is me bringing it public again. So, here it is again: I got
>> several responses privately to this 'attendance' message that it is
>> terrible that i must ask for funding as president, that there should be
>> a separate president travel budget and i shouldn't have to justify
>> publicly travel..that this message is noise and we should be talking of
>> more important things etc etc...all true, but i wish they would bring
>> this public and not me have to say it.  well here again i am.
>>
>> So to answer your questions directly Cameron: I am more than ready to
>> represent OSGeo in the Portland event.  I feel it is very important to
>> have this constant and stable face of OSGeo at events.  As for
>> increasing my role, that is really physically impossible; I will do my
>> best, but I would ask that we rely on a local chapter for gathering
>> booth materials etc.
>>
>> Your President,
>>
>> -jeff
>>
>>
>>
>> On 2014-07-13, 4:26 AM, Cameron Shorter wrote:
>>> Hi Jeff and others,
>>> I think that it is important for an official OSGeo representative to be
>>> at the FOSS4G conference to facilitate evangelising OSGeo, and OSGeo (or
>>> FOSS4G) should cover expenses of this person. Ideally, this person
>>> should be the OSGeo President, but could be someone else if the
>>> president is not available.
>>>
>>> I would envisage the representative would play quite a public role,
>>> likely talking with many people at an OSGeo booth. This would typically
>>> involve the representative also playing a lead role in ensuring the
>>> OSGeo booth is set up and running smoothly.
>>>
>>> Jeff, would you be ok with taking on this type of role? Could you please
>>> expand on how you would envisage this working.
>>>
>>>
>>> On 11/07/2014 3:34 am, Jeff McKenna wrote:
>>>> Hi Board,
>>>>
>>>> We're about 2 months away from FOSS4G-Portland, and I just want to be
>>>> open that no one has contacted me to represent OSGeo at that event.
>>>> Other (regional) events give me lots of notice, handle flights, hotels,
>>>> meals, for the OSGeo President to attend; however I learned last year
>>>> that for the main FOSS4G event it is just assumed that I will be there
>>>> in person.  Well to avoid that last minute chaos again, I am here asking
>>>> the Board for use of the "Strategic travel" funding (as listed in the
>>>> budget http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/OSGeo_Budget_2014) to cover my
>>>> flights, hotel, and misc expenses (transfers) for FOSS4G Portland.
>>>>
>>>> Last year there was a debate as to whether this should be funded by the
>>>> FOSS4G committee or in fact by the OSGeo Board, and it was decided it
>>>> made most sense for the OSGeo Board to cover it.
>>>>
>>>> Thoughts?
>>>>
>>>> -jeff
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From: *Jachym Cepicky <jachym.cepicky at gmail.com>
>> *Subject: **Re: [Board] [FOSS4GE board] sprint support organization*
>> *Date: *14 July 2014 14:00:48 BST
>> *To: *OSGeo-Board <board at lists.osgeo.org>,
>> "foss4g-europe-board at googlegroups.com"
>> <foss4g-europe-board at googlegroups.com>
>> *Cc: *"Baumann, Peter" <p.baumann at jacobs-university.de>
>>
>>
>> Dear board,
>>
>> based on calculations for catering (2 coffee breaks and lunch for 35
>> people), I estimated the costs for the sprint, which should not exceed
>> 250,- Euro (including V.A.T)
>>
>> The sprint should offer the attendees:
>>
>> 2 coffee breaks
>> 1 lunch
>>
>> Estimation nr. of attendees: up to 10 people (based on responses
>> through social network and registration on the wiki).
>>
>> I would suggest, that the money will be transferred to Local
>> organisation committee (since that is the only legal body, we can talk
>> to).
>>
>> I added the sprint budget to
>> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G-Europe_2014_Code_Sprint#Sprint_info
>>
>> Sorry for the delay,
>>
>> Jachym
>>
>>
>> 2014-07-09 15:29 GMT+02:00 Müller, Marta
>> <mar.mueller at jacobs-university.de>:
>>> Hi Jachym,
>>>
>>> if you like to eat in the canteen the breakfast is 7 Euro, Lunch is
>>> 10 Euro. I will need an invoice address or you will purchase the cash
>>> cards at the main gate (if you pay by yourself).
>>>
>>> Attached please find the prices for 35 Person for coffee break from
>>> another event, that is taking place on 14.07. For two breaks you
>>> would need than the price for 20 Person.
>>>
>>> Alternative I can ask for a catering in the room, that means some
>>> bread rolls for breaksfast, fingerfood for lunch. You can purchase
>>> your own cookies and takes only coffee from the catering provider. We
>>> order also the soft drinks from another place, which is a little bit
>>> less expensive.
>>>
>>> Please let me know your decision.
>>>
>>> How about tables in the room?  We were thinking about doing the code
>>> sprint in the east hall, where the conference is taking place. We
>>> already move some table from room to room to have a space - if you
>>> need a special table order: U-Form, square...please let me know.
>>>
>>> Best regards,
>>> Marta
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: foss4g-europe-board at googlegroups.com
>>> [mailto:foss4g-europe-board at googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jachym Cepicky
>>> Sent: Dienstag, 8. Juli 2014 22:29
>>> To: Baumann, Peter; foss4g-europe-board at googlegroups.com
>>> Subject: [FOSS4GE board] sprint support organization
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> before Board officially approves money for our sprint, some questions
>>> needs to be answered. I would like to ask you for briefly check
>>> following Q&As for OSGeo Board of Directors:
>>>
>>> And one question in advance: Could you please provide me with
>>> information, how much would catering for cca 10 people cost,
>>> including breakfast, lunch, two coffee breaks, some coke, cookies, etc. ?
>>>
>>> Big thanks!
>>>
>>> Jachym
>>>
>>> Basic Information
>>> Q:  Audience: how many people are expected?
>>> A: Up to 10
>>>
>>> Q:Region: is the sprint localized to a specific region?
>>> A: Germany, Bremen
>>>
>>> Q: Projects: is the sprint to work on just one specific project, or
>>> is it for multiple projects?
>>> A: It is join sprint for multiple projects, anybody can participate
>>> at http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G-Europe_2014_Code_Sprint
>>>
>>> Q: Length: how many days will the sprint cover?
>>> A: One day, after FOSS4G-Europe conference
>>>
>>> Q: Venue: where will the sprint be held? will food be provided? will
>>> overnight lodging be provided?
>>> A: It will be located at the Jacobs University, Bremen, after
>>> FOSSG4-Europe conference. Food and overnight lodging will not be
>>> provided. We are seeking financial cover for some refreshments for
>>> the participants.
>>>
>>>
>>> Expected budget
>>> Q: Where is the prospective budget published? Provide a link to a
>>> publicly accessible resource (e.g. wiki). The prospective budget
>>> shall list the levels/amounts of forecasted sponsorship, and show
>>> that OSGeo is providing matching funds (see Sponsorship Criteria below).
>>> A: Budget will be published at
>>> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G-Europe_2014_Code_Sprint#Budget .
>>> OSGeo is currently only sponsor, if not counting venue sponsor (Jacobs
>>> University)
>>>
>>>
>>> Profit / Loss / Risk
>>> Q: What is the expected profit of the event, if any? where will any
>>> surplus money go?
>>> A: Expected profits: Community building, getting project participants
>>> together. No surplus money are expected.
>>>
>>> Q: Under what circumstances might the event incur a loss? how will
>>> this risk be mitigated?
>>> A: Nobody will attend. Direct mail to project communities and making
>>> sure, there will be some participants at the sprint.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jachym Cepicky
>>> e-mail: jachym.cepicky gmail com
>>> URL: http://les-ejk.cz
>>> GPG: http://les-ejk.cz/pgp/JachymCepicky.pgp
>>>
>