[Board] My attendance in Portland

[Even Rouault]

Cameron,

I agree in principle with the accountability, but I don't think we should make
Jeff's life harder than it needs to be. In the end, the board is elected and if
people are not happy with how the budget is spent, they will say it with their
votes. Let trust people, and especially when their past accomplishments speak
for them. And for having been in Notthingham last year, I can remember having
seen Jeff many times on the OSGeo booth.

Best regards,

Even

> Hi Jeff,
> I acknowledge that you do a lot on behalf of OSGeo, and would hasten to
> add other things that you do, such as traveling to and presenting at
> various conferences about OSGeo. (There are also many others amongst the
> OSGeo membership who do much, often with very little public recognition).
>
> Following are a few points for my opinion:
>
> What OSGeo is very good at is being efficient in how we spend our
> limited budget by drawing upon our talented membership (see Board
> priorities [1]).
>
> There are specific tasks which the board should be addressing, and
> funding if required.   One of these I think is important is the setting
> up and manning of an OSGeo booth at the annual FOSS4G conference. It is
> an excellent way to meet face to face with the greater community. This
> task can be done by anyone from the community, but it does help to have
> people with deep OSGeo experience, such as a board member or president.
>
> Personally, I don't see what the big issue is regarding setting up a
> booth. I've done it a number of times. I really enjoy being at the OSGeo
> booth because it attracts lots of really interesting people who would
> love to know more about OSGeo. All that is required is for someone to
> bring an OSGeo banner, and have a laptop showing OSGeo-Live on it. (Some
> people do more, but that covers the essentials).
>
> The board should be accountable to our members for all budget spent. If
> we pay for someone's travel budget to a conference, what does OSGeo gain
> from that sponsorship beyond what is already provided by existing
> attendees? It is an easy question to answer if the money is going toward
> manning a booth, where we evangelise OSGeo.
>
> So anyway, it is possible we have a misunderstanding over how much
> effort is required to be involved in an OSGeo booth, and hope that you
> can re-consider.
>
> [1]
>
http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Board_of_Directors#OSGeo_as_a_low_capital.2C_volunteer_focused_organisation
>
> On 14/07/2014 9:30 pm, Jeff McKenna wrote:
> > 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
> >>>
> >>>
> > _______________________________________________
> > Board mailing list
> > Board at lists.osgeo.org
> > http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/board
>
> --
> Cameron Shorter,
> Software and Data Solutions Manager
> LISAsoft
> Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
> 26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
>
> P +61 2 9009 5000,  W www.lisasoft.com,  F +61 2 9009 5099
>
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