[Board] FOSS4G - South America

[Jeff McKenna]

This was proposed back in 2011, to allocate one day a week to assist 
with the 'little tasks' that are done to maintain consistency in such 
important events, for the foundation; since then, this model was 
implemented and is still in use for the FOSSGIS event (one day a week of 
effort to help with the consistency of the event).  I believe Charlotte 
Eberz does great work in this position for the FOSSGIS e.V. association. 
  Till and others can relay the importance of this role - indeed we have 
seen what can happen without someone filling this role, paid or 
otherwise.  It is all those unglorious tasks that I've done behind the 
scenes for FOSS4G since 2006.  Instead of arguing about the need for it, 
I think we can listen to another foundation, FOSSGIS e.V., who was 
forward thinking enough to prevent a 2012 happening, and give a 
passionate person who cares of those little unheralded tasks, funding 
throughout the year to make sure things flow, work closely from one 
local committee to another.

This need was there in 2011, and is even more needed today, as the 
FOSS4G passion spreads all around the world.

I ask the Board to consider the need for it, and to modify and update 
the proposal however you feel is needed, now for the stability of FOSS4G 
and the OSGeo foundation.

(if you fear my voice overtaking others here in this thread, I am ok 
with being quiet and letting you discuss this more, either here or 
offline; please let me know if you have any questions)

-jeff



On 2016-10-22 1:03 PM, Suchith Anand wrote:
> I agree with Maxi. Though the costs of travel and accomodation etc as part of the role are reasonable expenses to be reimbursed, having this high salary paid for the position is not adviseable for a volunteer organisation like OSGeo.
>
> All OSGeo members (including those in the OSGeo Board, conference committee ) are all kindly volunteering thier time and expertise for all the activities of OSGeo.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Suchith
>
> ________________________________________
> From: Board <board-bounces at lists.osgeo.org> on behalf of Massimiliano Cannata <massimiliano.cannata at supsi.ch>
> Sent: 22 October 2016 4:27 PM
> To: Anita Graser
> Cc: OSGeo Board
> Subject: Re: [Board] FOSS4G - South America
>
> Dear all
> While i believe that this role is cruciale and very important the mentioned 30,720 USD annual looks really a lot of money to me!
> 4 days a month means about 20% of a man / month. At this rates the salary would be more than 150,000 USD a year.
>
> Maxi
>
> Il 22 ott 2016 4:09 PM, "Anita Graser" <anitagraser at gmx.at<mailto:anitagraser at gmx.at>> ha scritto:
> Thanks Jeff!
>
> On Sat, Oct 22, 2016 at 1:53 PM, Jeff McKenna <jmckenna at gatewaygeomatics.com<mailto:jmckenna at gatewaygeomatics.com>> wrote:
> I've been working with Manolo from the Lima team for several years now, and am discussing FOSS4G-LATAM with him.  I also yesterday joined the FOSS4G-BuenosAires discussions, which began yesterday.  Since others are finally realizing the importance of this role for the foundation, it might be great for the Board to revisit my proposed partially funded FOSS4G Advisor position: https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G_Advisor_Role
>
> I think an adviser could be very helpful.
>
> ​I'd be interested in hearing the position of the community and particularly the Conference Committee on this proposal.
>
> Best wishes,
> Anita
>
>
>