[Board] Board Digest, Vol 94, Issue 24 (actually: president's role in OSGEO)

[Dimitris Kotzinos]

Dear all,

some thoughts on the discussion of the role of the president in OSGEO, 
as the discussion is going on in the board-list.
First of all, I hope that this is a discussion of interest for all OSGEO 
members and thus I cc:discuss.
Secondly I think I agree mostly with Michael Gerlek's point in his 
e-mail of July 17th, so I think that there are ways to lighten the 
President's burden. A small example: there are very competent board 
members coming from Europe, they can easily and successfully represent 
the board in European based events. The same is true for Australia and 
South America. So less work for the president and fewer expenses for the 
board and the budget even if these trips are covered (which could even 
not be the case if the specific board member would attend anyway).
Moreover this brings back an older suggestion that we need to officially 
establish regional chapters that will also be directly connected with 
the regional events like FOSS4G-Europe. This would ease a lot of those 
discussions.
Thirdly, reading Arnulf's account for his term, one can only say 
"wowowow" and thank you to Arnulf and Jeff for the (both personal and 
financial) burden they have taken so far.
Forthly, I think that the organization should cover the expenses of any 
members going on an "official" business, given that the board agrees on 
that. For me it goes without saying that some limits should be set (e.g. 
X* hotels) and as others pointed out maybe also a yearly overall limit 
not to be exceeded in any case. Of course again and as usual in OSGEO 
everything funded should be public.
Lastly, I think that increasing the president's term will only 
discourage people to apply for that position. Two years is enough and if 
he/she wants can reapply - Eli's suggestion of putting a two terms limit 
is also good. I prefer a more flexible scheme that could include a 
president elect or some sharing of responsibilities with other members 
of the board, e.g. establishing a vice-president's position.

My 2cs and thanks for listening,
Dimitris