[Board] Stolen computer

Tue Aug 8 03:54:54 PDT 2017

It was unclear if we needed to go forward with the vote after the
discussion about setting a precedent.
Also please keep in mind that we are between a series of 2 F2F board
meetings (one in Paris and one in Boston), which is the first time
happening on a single year, so please do not doubt our commitment based on
one vote being left to expire.

Regards,
Angelos

On Fri, Aug 4, 2017 at 2:17 AM, Michael Smith <michael.smith.erdc at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Frankly it was unclear to me whether the vote need to go forward. It seems
> to me to be the consensus that, while unfortunate, it wasn't an OSGeo
> issue. And also a precedent we didn't want to set. I guess I was under the
> impression that the vote was being withdrawn. Sorry if I misunderstood.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 3, 2017, at 6:04 PM, Massimiliano Cannata <
> massimiliano.cannata at supsi.ch> wrote:
>
> Before doubting of people commitment and responsibility, I would ask
> myself if any reason (eg. August, vacation, traveling) block them from
> voting.. or anyone know something more to share?
> Not taking a decision is simpler with abstaining ;-)
>
> Dear board non voting members, please could you give your the reason?
>
> Best
> Maxi
>
> Il 03 ago 2017 10:51 PM, "Cameron Shorter" <cameron.shorter at gmail.com> ha
> scritto:
>
>> OSGeo Board members,
>>
>> I acknowledge that this was a difficult vote, but please don't use this
>> as a reason not to vote.
>>
>> When you are volunteering to be a board member, the one thing one thing
>> you are being asked to do is have an opinion and vote. Please take this
>> responsibility seriously, and be prepared to vote on all motions, not just
>> the easy and obvious motions.
>>
>> Warm regards, Cameron
>>
>> On 4/8/17 2:10 am, Jody Garnett wrote:
>>
>> This motion did not pass - sadly it did not pass because the board
>> members disagreed; it did not pass because not enough board members
>> responded to the motion.
>>
>> https://www.loomio.org/p/TA0rPawq/offer-financial-assistence
>> -to-nick-and-niroshan-to-cover-insurance-costs-of-stolen-laptops-
>>
>> This is a non-result that does not set a precedent for future boards.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Jody Garnett
>>
>> On 27 July 2017 at 06:05, Jody Garnett <jody.garnett at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Cameron and Michael your words of caution are very much taken to heart.
>>>
>>> Maria has started a motion here
>>> <https://www.loomio.org/d/csZ2X8ap/stolen-computers-at-foss4g> and I am
>>> copying my words to email for wider discussion:
>>>
>>> *I am in favour of us helping assist in this case, but I understand
>>> their is a series of groups, including the local organizing committee who
>>> would like to help out. I would be the most comfortable with the local
>>> organizing committee (or even the rented venue assisting.)*
>>>
>>> *We have been cautioned about "setting a precedent" last time the board
>>> acted in a generous fashion outside of our mission statement (since we are
>>> responsible for our actions to our membership which elected us). In this
>>> case the people effected individuals are both productive members of our
>>> volunteering in an official capacity with our organization: one as a summer
>>> of code student, and the second as a member of the marketing committee. I
>>> believe our membership will understand why we are making this choice.*
>>>
>>> *While it may be sad in the future if trouble befalls an attendees at
>>> one of our events we do not wish to set a precedent or expectation for
>>> future events to follow. We are taking action both out of compassion (this
>>> sucks) and these individuals our volunteers in our organization we do not
>>> want our membership to loose the benefits of their productivity (this sucks
>>> for osgeo). This is in a similar spirit to the liability insurance we hold
>>> for our board members and officers.*
>>>
>>> And on the specifics:
>>>
>>> *From the email thread it sounds like both computers are covered by
>>> insurance, but not the full costs. There are two ways to understand this
>>> email:*
>>>
>>>
>>>    - *For a $2500 computer, perhaps it was only insured for $2000
>>>    (often this is fine as computers get older).*
>>>    - *Or perhaps it is a "deductible" - for example for a $2000
>>>    computer there may be a $500 deductible needing to be paid. So while the
>>>    insurance covers everything, you are required to pay $500 to access the
>>>    insurance.*
>>>
>>> *I would be comfortable making a proposal making up to $2000 available
>>> to the treasurer to assist with paying any insurance costs incurred while
>>> replacing the stolen laptops. Subject to "prompt reimbursement" on receipt
>>> (if paid for already) or invoice (if there is an email/bill that can be
>>> sent to the treasurer to show the amount needed).*
>>>
>>> This is the kind of discussion is difficult because we all have the "it
>>> could of been me" response, and general annoyance this incident would
>>> reflect poorly on our community (even though it is not our fault). It also
>>> paints board members into a bit of a corner; because we do not wish to
>>> appear mean / heartless / insensitive (cameron's all things to all people).
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jody Garnett
>>>
>>> On 27 July 2017 at 04:16, Michael Terner <mgt at appgeo.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> + Conference Dev
>>>>
>>>> Two very small points from the Boston perspective as these kinds of
>>>> things are on our mind, and we are seeking lessons learned to improve our
>>>> event:
>>>>
>>>>    1. Insurance can be expensive. We have an insurance policy that
>>>>    does not cover things like lost/stolen items for attendees, but does cover
>>>>    eventualities like needing to cancel the event due to catastrophe. The cost
>>>>    of a policy covering lost/stolen events - at least for an event the size of
>>>>    Boston - would have been significantly higher than the cost of replacing 2
>>>>    laptops (and there is additional administrative time in setting it up).
>>>>    2. This incident also illustrates the need to have appropriate
>>>>    physical security. We will be mindful to not leave our registration desk
>>>>    without someone there; and to discourage people from leaving items in
>>>>    places where there are not people actively watching. We also have access to
>>>>    a couple of locked rooms where things can be stored and will encourage
>>>>    their use to the extent possible.
>>>>
>>>> We too regret the hassle, inconvenience and loss that Nick and Niroshan
>>>> experienced. As with all negative things, hopefully there is a silver
>>>> lining and this community can improve processes to reduce the risks of loss
>>>> at conferences...
>>>>
>>>> MT
>>>>
>>>> On Thu, Jul 27, 2017 at 4:46 AM, Cameron Shorter <
>>>> cameron.shorter at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I'll let others comment on this particular thread. It is very sad to
>>>>> hear of people having a computer stolen and noble to hear of people helping
>>>>> those in need.
>>>>>
>>>>> But on a general level, I suggest that OSGeo should be careful not to
>>>>> become all things to all people. We should focus on what we are best at.
>>>>> There are insurance companies designed to manage loss of items. For future
>>>>> incidents of this type, lets make use of them rather than designing our own.
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheers, Cameron (not a current board member, so my vote doesn't count)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 27/7/17 12:21 am, Jeff McKenna wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you Luca for bringing this to everyone's attention.  Indeed
>>>>>> this was a very unfortunate incident.  I am a strong +1 to help Niroshan
>>>>>> and Nick in any costs not covered by insurance.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The day before this happened I also left my bag for a few hours
>>>>>> behind the registration desk; this could have happened to anyone.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> This kind of thing has been at the back of my mind for a while now;
>>>>>> how lucky we have been for accidents at FOSS4G events.  We travel to areas
>>>>>> all around the world, and anything can happen. Luckily Niroshan or Nick
>>>>>> were not hurt or injured.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It might be a good time to review the event insurance for our FOSS4G
>>>>>> events, and how it relates to unfortunate accidents like this.  (and how we
>>>>>> would handle the cases if the attendee had no personal insurance, which
>>>>>> would have been my case - for example, maybe the OSGeo Board should set
>>>>>> aside a small block of funding in each yearly budget for this)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> But my gut feeling is that was a small warning, as our FOSS4G event
>>>>>> grows in popularity, we must take care, to take care of our attendees.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I am very sorry for such a hassle to Niroshan and Nick, to their
>>>>>> studies and their work.  I hope we can agree to make sure that they have to
>>>>>> pay nothing out of their own pockets to replace lost equipment; and also
>>>>>> agree to take this as a small lesson and review our own event policies.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -jeff
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Cameron Shorter
>>>>> M +61 419 142 254 <%2B61%20419%20142%20254>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Board mailing list
>>>>> Board at lists.osgeo.org
>>>>> https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/board
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> *Michael Terner*
>>>> *Executive Vice President*
>>>> 617-447-2468 <%28617%29%20447-2468> Direct | 617-447-2400
>>>> <%28617%29%20447-2400> Main
>>>> Applied Geographics, Inc.
>>>> 24 School Street, Suite 500
>>>> Boston, MA 02108
>>>> www.AppGeo.com
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> Cameron Shorter
>> M +61 419 142 254 <+61%20419%20142%20254>
>>
>>
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-- 
Angelos Tzotsos, PhD
OSGeo Charter Member
http://users.ntua.gr/tzotsos
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