[Board] Motion to sponsor FOSS4G 2018 at the highest level

Wed Jun 20 13:47:03 PDT 2018

Hi,

Sounds really good. If it were my money I would vote yes without thinking.
(And no, I don't have that much money, don't try! :) )

But on the other hand, this is unplanned cost. Heartily I don't know what
to vote for this poll.

On Wed, Jun 20, 2018 at 6:33 PM, Mark Iliffe <markiliffe at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Venka,
>
> These are all good questions. With the World Bank sponsorship, this
> enables us to offset a significant proportion of the venue costs ($100k out
> of $150k), and in effect has enabled us to bring 51 TGP attendees in place
> of 10. The fees for venue, accommodation, food and drink for FOSS4G run to
> around $350k - these are higher than originally budgeted for, in part due
> to rising costs due to various economic situations and us making decisions
> about how to widen access (charging $75 per workshop, not $100 for
> example). Additional sponsorship from OSGeo will enable access to the
> conference from local attendees, bring videoing of key sessions.
>
> With all of this, I'd question openly about who we are doing this
> conference for, whether for the existing OSGeo community, or the one yet to
> be developed? In Africa, the gulf between those with the means to attend
> such conferences is far out of the reach of the common developer/small
> business where our tools can have the greatest economical and societal
> impact. This fundamentally changes the dynamics in play here. In sponsoring
> "the conference [OSGeo] has created" OSGeo will widen the participation of
> the East African community even further. I would also stress that my LOC
> has not taken one cent of financial support from OSGeo to this point - we
> will have a conference for our attendees through completely independently
> raised funding - granted using the brand of OSGeo, but unfortunately
> branding alone does not put on a conference.
>
> I believe that what we, and geo at large can have a transformational
> impact for East Africa, hence volunteering to put this together. I've never
> chaired a FOSS4G before and I doubt I will again, someone else can have the
> honour! But, I firmly believe the decisions that have been made are made in
> the best interests of the conference and the mission that we articulated to
> the community in our proposal.  This is an atypical FOSS4G with our
> location and mission and there are many unique aspects to this conference
> ranging from mission to financing. We are working hard to get it right, and
> to put on the best FOSS4G yet, with a unique and distinct African flavor!
>
> In terms of OSGeo sponsorship, we're 67 days away. This means that I can
> articulate in direct terms the opportunity for the board as a whole. OSGeo
> sponsorship will provide:
>
> - Up-to 75 further attendees + from economically disadvantaged
> circumstances;
> - An expansion of the Travel Grant Programme;
> - Video recording of keynotes and other sessions;
>
> I hope that clarifies some of the opportunity here. As ever, I remain at
> the disposal of the board to answer any questions or queries that may arise.
>
> Best,
>
> Mark
>
> On 20 June 2018 at 10:30, Venka <venka.osgeo at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> FOSS4G-Dar-e-Salam won the bid by stating that they have
>> firm commitment from World Bank for supporting the
>> conference with 100K of funds [1]. That was one of the
>> reason for the other bid from Asia to drop out after
>> the first round [2].
>>
>> So, why does FOSS4G-Dar-e-Salam request for sponsorship
>> from OSGeo foundation if they have already secured 100K (that
>> they highlighted during the the bid?
>>
>> And, why must the OSGeo Foundation be sponsoring the conference
>> that they have created?
>>
>> And, why do workshop presenters have to pay for training people
>> (whom they are attracting) at FOSS4G event?
>>
>> Something beyond my understanding.
>>
>> Venka
>>
>> [1] https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G2018_Q%26A_Dar_es_Salaam
>> [2] https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/conference_dev/2016-Novemb
>> er/004136.html
>>
>>
>> On 6/20/2018 11:04 PM, Jeff McKenna wrote:
>>
>>> Dear fellow Board members,
>>>
>>> I have started a vote on Loomio at: https://www.loomio.org/p/DI8cU
>>> Gku/motion-to-sponsor-foss4g-2018-at-the-highest-sponsorship
>>> -level-tanzanite-30-000usd-
>>>
>>> As described there, this motion is to increase OSGeo's sponsorship of
>>> the FOSS4G 2018 event, to the highest level of sponsorship. The funding can
>>> be used by the local committee at their discretion, and ensures top
>>> visibility for OSGeo at its own conference.
>>>
>>> FOSS4G 2018 is a unique situation, and I believe the OSGeo Board must
>>> show its utmost support to the organizers.
>>>
>>> I will start with my +1
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> -jeff
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>> https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/board
>>>
>>
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>
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