[OSGeo-Conf] Question Period: Dublin proposal

[Jeff McKenna]

Peter, I forgot to note in Section 7 (Budget) of your plan to charge 
different registration fees by country (to "encourage delegates from 
low-income countries").  I support this, but it sure could be a source 
of pain if some question this (I am not aware of this being enabled for 
a past FOSS4G event, but it was discussed).

-jeff



On 2015-02-22 2:20 PM, Jeff McKenna wrote:
> Hi Peter and Dublin team,
>
> Thanks for your detailed proposal, here are my questions and comments on
> your full proposal:
>
> - I am captivated by your FOSS4G logo on the opening page of the
> proposal.  The "Open Doors" theme and explanation are a wonderful fit
> for the true spirit of FOSS4G.
>
> - also I am happy to see "presented by OSGeo" there directly on your
> opening page as well.
>
> - Section 1: Great to see a headshot image of the chair.  Actually this
> was done well by both teams (what better way to get to know team members
> than a small image beside their descriptions).
>
>   - I really like this section, which shows the vision by the chair.  I
> also agree that FOSS4G should be more inclusive towards the future of
> the community, the students and the children.
>
> - Section 2: Interesting to read about the Health Atlas Ireland (I tried
> to actually see it in action, but every link I tried required a login).
>
> - Section 3: Wow, how nice to see a summary of the main points of the
> proposal in 3 concise pages.
>
>    - thank you for including a proposed timeline of important dates.  (I
> wonder why this isn't actually a requirement in the RFP, I'll note this
> for future calls)
>
> - Section 4: I like that you focus on providing space for Birds of
> Feather sessions, and a non-sit-down Gala event.
>
>    - the community weekend is a great idea.  I would think that the best
> time for this is before the event (as your local team and most FOSS4G
> community members will be exhausted by the end of the week).
>
>    - wonderful that you will work with the GeoForAll community and plan
> to create a new lab.
>
>    - the "what Success will look like" section is superb, as it is great
> to read about your team's goals for FOSS4G.  I especially like the plan
> to make all materials including workshop materials made available as
> soon as possible.
>
>    - I like reading that your team realizes how serious the
> responsibility to host FOSS4G is to OSGeo.
>
> - Section 5: there are multiple venues proposed, and I did notice in the
> budget that you are planning on providing a shuttle from hotels to the
> venue, and also a help desk at the airport.  Can you maybe elaborate a
> little more on these plans for transportation around to the venues?
>
>    - the CCD venue looks to be a wonderful location to host FOSS4G.  Did
> you have any direct discussions with the CCD staff (such as about our
> tech requirements), or visit the venue in person?
>
>    - wow I love seeing a map of the locations (we are geospatial right
> ha), instead of me having to try to figure out that myself.  And a
> working mapping application showing the locations!
> http://www.peterm7.com/foss4g2016/ (I had to turn on the OSM layer to
> see building names)
>
>    - great to see that the OSGeo AGM, Sol Katz Award, and Board of
> Directors F2F meeting are factored into your plans (often I have to
> bother the local committees later on to remind them of these)
>
>    - I think it is important to provide discount accommodation options
> for FOSS4G, so I am glad to read that you are in discussions with
> Universities for on-campus options.
>
> - Section 6: I think the addition of committee members that have hosted
> international events is important (Maria, Marco with this year's
> FOSS4G-Europe event will be invaluable)
>
>    - I worry that the local committee doesn't have enough representation
> from SME / industry. You mention the OpenApp team, and I am surprised
> that no one from their team is included in the local committee.
>
>    - it's good that you have a backup plan for the conference chair
> (this has actually happened in a past FOSS4G, so having someone ready to
> step up into that role is a good thing)
>
>    - I am very happy to hear of your plans to form an OSGeo local
> chapter (http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Ireland), and also work with the
> existing UK chapter.  In fact I've today requested to the OSGeo systems
> team that an "Ireland" mailing list be created for you.
>
>    - I like your plan to work with OSGeo throughout, and provide the
> OSGeo Board monthly updates (I have started to do this with the Seoul
> team, and I feel that this should be a requirement for all FOSS4G events).
>
> - Section 7: I am not so sure the budget should assume 1,000 attendees
> only.  I would be good to also account for less, such as numbers for
> 600, 800, and 1000 attendees.  I do value your passion and goals for
> 1,000 though.
>
>    - I don't see any proposed expenses for Workshop machines (this is
> often a major expense).  I wonder if, as a worst case scenario, you
> could provide an estimated budget that includes costs for hosting the
> workshops at the CCD venue (will be very pricey, compared to a
> university setting, but you can later examine the university option).
> Or, outline costs for the university hosting the workshops and providing
> the machines and tech support.
>
>    - nice to see including costs of onsite first-aid.  This should
> really be a requirement in the RFP for venue.
>
>    - great that you included sending a rep to FOSS4G-Seoul in your cost
> estimate (no better way to learn than to be there in Seoul and speak to
> that local committee and attendees).
>
> Section 8: I like that you are including the handover to FOSS4G 2017
> team in your program, as these 10 minutes or so are super important.
>
>    - wonderful plan to have the first Irish chapter meeting on Day 1 !
>
>    - I don't see any issues with the proposed dates of August 15-20th.
>
>    - the plan to co-host with the IRLOGI community is a great idea. This
> would really boost the local community involvement in FOSS4G. Wonderful.
>
> - Section 9: Thanks for describing and choosing a PCO.  I like that they
> provide a working like to their proposed registration/abstract system
> (https://b-com.mci-group.com/Registration/DynamicRegistration/DynamicRegistrationPage.aspx?EventCode=DEMO2014&SiteCode=DEFAULT)
>
>
>    - Oh, great to see that you will be trying to translate event
> materials into several languages.
>
>    - thanks for following along the OSGeo Diversity / Code of Conduct
> discussions.
>
>
> Thank you again for this detailed proposal.
>
>
> -jeff
>
>