[Board] Travel expenses for FOSS4G Seoul

[Cameron Shorter]

As my words from the OSGeo Advocate page are being quoted in this email 
thread, I suggest the Board Priorities that I co-authored about the same 
time should also be considered:

http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Board_of_Directors#Board_Priorities

/* OSGeo [should continue to act] as a low capital volunteer focused 
organisation//
//...//
//* [OSGeo should] support initiatives which support themselves//
//
//OSGeo [probably shouldn't sponsor] speaker travel expenses, or booth 
registration costs at a conference. (If conferences/local community feel 
this is important, they will either: //
//1. pay for the keynote, //
//2. make use of local talent, //
//3. waive fees for our non-profit, //
//4. find a local sponsor)//
/
--

That said, I feel the current decision to send the OSGeo President to 
Russia is ok (and has been given the ok by the board), but in future a 
more optimal and cost effective option would likely be to consider one 
of the above. (Or alternatively, revisit the board priorities).

Warm regards, Cameron

On 19/10/2015 6:34 pm, Jody Garnett wrote:
> Comments inline:
>
>     You'll notice that I have included 200 CAD for meals and travel
>     incidentals.  I'd like to discuss this openly now, especially as next
>     month I will travel to Moscow as president.  To be honest, this
>     incidentals total feels very low, especially considering I spent
>     time in
>     4 different airport, just for my trip there.  One could argue that
>     cost
>     would be just for my meals on the way to Seoul even, considering
>     it took
>     me almost 40 hours one way.  So, how do we handle this?
>
>
> The travel expenses seem reasonable, I am much more interested in 
> capturing the true cost of your travel so we can budget accordingly, 
> and so we do not have you being out of pocket when asked to represent 
> us in a professional capacity.
>
>     I remember discussing this topic with Cameron years ago publicly,
>     and it
>     was agreed that OSGeo advocates who are invited to speak be
>     covered for
>     expenses per http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/OSGeo_Advocate#Expenses That
>     does mention meals, and points to the US State Department guidelines
>     (here are the rates for Seoul
>     https://aoprals.state.gov/web920/per_diem_action.asp?MenuHide=1&CountryCode=1129).
>
>
> The website does a fair job of capturing the different costs world 
> wide, Moscow is apparently very expensive to live.
>
> You also missed the part of Cameron's page where a speaker fee is 
> charged (to comphensate for time away from work). Since (personally) 
> my core business is open source I have never felt comfortable asking 
> for a speakers fee, so long as I have an opportunity to thank my 
> employer publicly.  I expect representing OSGeo would put you in a 
> position where you would not feel comfortable switch hitting like this 
> (Canadian trying to use baseball analogy - did I do it right?)
>
>     So, I'm just looking for your own opinion on this.  I am also fine for
>     bringing this publicly as well (insert: I sent this at first to
>     treasurer@ and was asked to take this publicly). I'm not looking to
>     "pull a fast one" on the foundation, but my gut instinct sees that
>     incidentals total and it just feels wrong.
>
>
> If you are concerned grab receipts for the treasurer, and call it a 
> day. We trust the treasurer to call you on a late night pay tv charge 
> to watch hockey, but probably respect your use of hotel laundry (since 
> we try and project a friendly "atmosphere"). :)
> --
> Jody Garnett
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> 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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