[OSGeo-Conf] [Board] FOSS4G 2017 contracting & funding

Cameron Shorter cameron.shorter at gmail.com
Thu Mar 3 12:02:37 PST 2016


I back Steven's statement.
It sounds reasonable and I trust his experience and judgement.

I won't have time to do any more than the very precursory review I've 
done, so +1 from me based on Steven's feedback.

Cameron

On 4/03/2016 2:29 am, Steven Feldman wrote:
> Apologies for the delay, I have been away.
>
> This all looks in order to me. Do you anticipate that you will need 
> further funds from OSGeo before your sponsorship income starts to come 
> in? If so how much and when?
>
> Hopefully several others on the CC will chip in and agree.
>
> Next steps (as  see them) after ratification by CC are:
>
>  1. Complete an agreement between OSGeo and your PCO - the template
>     doc is at
>     https://svn.osgeo.org/osgeo/foss4g/2016/financial_stuff/agreement_with_osgeo/
>  2. Recommend to board
>  3. board signs off and transfers funds
>
>
> Cheers
> ______
> Steven
>
>
>> On 28 Feb 2016, at 18:46, Michael Terner <mgt at appgeo.com 
>> <mailto:mgt at appgeo.com>> wrote:
>>
>> Apologies that this took more time than the 2 weeks that was 
>> estimated earlier, but I believe the BLOC is now in a position to 
>> fully follow the Conference Dev Committee's recommendations on next 
>> steps (as documented earlier in this thread). Attached you will find 
>> two documents:
>>
>>  1. Draft contract from Delaney Meeting and Management (DMM) to be
>>     our PCO and under contract to OSGeo on behalf of the BLOC
>>  2. Draft "financial plan" that shows the anticipated scheduling of
>>     spending across the 6+ quarters that remain before Aug, 2017
>>
>> Please confirm that this provides the information that you need to 
>> assess our planning and move forward towards providing a signed PCO 
>> contract and an advance. As per earlier advice, and a review of the 
>> spending plan, we /would/ like to recalibrate and ask that our 
>> initial advance be in the sum of $20,000 US (instead of the $10,000 
>> figure we used earlier in this thread).
>>
>> A quick note on the nature of the DMM contract. This contract is 
>> consciously structured as a time and materials (T&M) engagement with 
>> a "not to exceed" figure. The DMM contract provides an extremely 
>> detailed list of the tasks that are anticipated and their estimated 
>> costs, and this will serve as the "menu" for services. We believe 
>> that a T&M structure preserves maximum flexibility so that un-needed 
>> tasks (or tasks our BLOC can complete) may be removed, and so that 
>> new, or altered tasks can be added as needed. Also, please note that 
>> the PCO figure used in the spending plan includes approximately 
>> $6,000 of direct expenses incurred by the PCO.
>>
>> We would respectfully ask for a quick review as we have a 
>> *significant, near-term milestone, to sign an agreement with our 
>> chosen venue*, the Boston World Trade Center conference facility and 
>> the Seaport hotel. To secure our dates, we really need to lock this 
>> down in March; hopefully by the middle of the month. Having *an OSGeo 
>> contract with our PCO is a precursor to the venue agreement.*
>>
>> Here's the potential timeline we foresee:
>>
>>  1. February 29: Conference Dev now has our draft PCO contract w/ DMM
>>     and a draft spending plan for review
>>  2. March 4: Receive feedback on contract and spending plan
>>  3. March 8: Iterate with Conference Dev on contract and spending
>>     plan and bring all issues (if any) to mutually agreeable closure
>>  4. March 15: Receive appropriate approvals so that OSGeo can sign
>>     the contract with DMM which will enable them to act as our
>>     financial agent
>>  5. March 18: Have DMM enter into agreement with the World Trade
>>     Center/Seaport Hotel on behalf of OSGeo/BLOC
>>  6. March 31: Once the agreements are in place, the BLOC will work
>>     with Conference Dev and the Board to secure an initial advance in
>>     the sum of $20,000 US.
>>
>> Does this make sense? If not, please advise with any questions so 
>> that we can keep this moving.
>>
>> Many thanks and all the best...
>>
>> MT
>>
>> On Wed, Jan 27, 2016 at 10:03 AM, Eli Adam <eadam at co.lincoln.or.us 
>> <mailto:eadam at co.lincoln.or.us>> wrote:
>>
>>     +1 to things that Steven and Cameron have said.
>>
>>     On the 10k advance, make sure it is enough, you don't want to have to
>>     ask for more before the planned larger advance.
>>
>>     Best regards, Eli
>>
>>
>>     On Wed, Jan 27, 2016 at 1:59 AM, Steven Feldman
>>     <shfeldman at gmail.com <mailto:shfeldman at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>     > Spot on Michael
>>     >
>>     > Look forward to reviewing the PCO contract and your financial
>>     plan when you
>>     > are ready.
>>     >
>>     > Personally I like the idea of splitting the financial request
>>     in 2 tranches
>>     > as you have outlined. Good idea
>>     >
>>     > Cheers
>>     > ______
>>     > Steven
>>     >
>>     >
>>     > On 27 Jan 2016, at 03:08, Michael Terner <mgt at appgeo.com
>>     <mailto:mgt at appgeo.com>> wrote:
>>     >
>>     > Cameron & Steven:
>>     > Once again thanks for the good advice and careful guidance.
>>     Here's where we
>>     > stand:
>>     >
>>     > We have a proposal from our POC that outlines their
>>     scope/duties and we are
>>     > completing our review. I have asked them for their "contract"
>>     language that
>>     > wraps the scope. We anticipate completing our review and
>>     providing those to
>>     > you (i.e., Conf Comm) early next week.
>>     > We have now reviewed, and understand the Wiki postings on the
>>     guarantees,
>>     > and we will commence with a more detailed financial plan.
>>     > We anticipate potentially seeking two advances:
>>     >
>>     > In the short term, something on the order of $10k (US) for:
>>     >
>>     > Startup activities with our PCO
>>     > Development of promotional materials (e.g., video, logo,
>>     sponsor prospectus,
>>     > etc.) so we are ready to go once Bonn completes
>>     >
>>     > In the medium term, likely just after Bonn, when OSGeo finances
>>     are clearer;
>>     > something on the order of what was provided to Bonn, i.e., $50k
>>     (US) for:
>>     >
>>     > Payment of deposits
>>     > Further support from our PCO
>>     > Cashflow pending sponsorship and registration revenues
>>     > Marketing and messaging
>>     > Sponsorship recruitment
>>     >
>>     > I hope this gives you a better sense of where we're coming from
>>     and we will
>>     > move aggressively this week and next to have contract materials
>>     to the Conf
>>     > Comm for review.
>>     >
>>     > Thanks again...
>>     >
>>     > MT
>>     >
>>     > On Mon, Jan 25, 2016 at 2:23 PM, Cameron Shorter
>>     <cameron.shorter at gmail.com <mailto:cameron.shorter at gmail.com>>
>>     > wrote:
>>     >>
>>     >> I'm dropping the OSGeo-Board off the CC list.
>>     >>
>>     >> +1 to all Steven said.
>>     >>
>>     >> You will often find that if someone gives you good advise from
>>     an email
>>     >> list, then others on the list won't feel a need to chime in.
>>     In this case,
>>     >> if you don't get someone extending or contradicting Steven's
>>     advice within
>>     >> 48 hours, then it is probably worth following.
>>     >> For major decision points which the list members will help
>>     identify, such
>>     >> as committing to spending, we will put a motion to the vote,
>>     and likely
>>     >> escalate to the board to confirm.
>>     >>
>>     >> Cheers, Cameron
>>     >>
>>     >> On 26/01/2016 12:29 am, Steven Feldman wrote:
>>     >>
>>     >> Michael
>>     >>
>>     >> My answers (just one member of the ConfCttee though)
>>     >>
>>     >> I suggest you obtain a draft agreement between your PCO and
>>     OSGeo, send it
>>     >> to the CC and we will review it and then either suggest
>>     changes or forward
>>     >> to the board with a recommendation.
>>     >> With regard to an advance please note the type of guarantees
>>     from the LOC
>>     >> or PCO to that are outlined in the wiki at
>>     >> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G_Handbook#Guarantees. The
>>     actual agreement
>>     >> with 2016 is at
>>     https://svn.osgeo.org/osgeo/foss4g/2016/budget_planning/ .
>>     >> Could you give an indication of what the advance is required for?
>>     >> I would suggest that you send requests to the ConfCttee and we
>>     can decide
>>     >> if the matter needs board consideration
>>     >>
>>     >>
>>     >> Great to see you guys getting stuck in so early
>>     >> ______
>>     >> Steven
>>     >>
>>     >>
>>     >> On 25 Jan 2016, at 12:33, Michael Terner <mgt at appgeo.com
>>     <mailto:mgt at appgeo.com>> wrote:
>>     >>
>>     >> Cameron et al:
>>     >> Thank you very much for the careful guidance and the lesson on
>>     how to
>>     >> communicate going forward. Obviously, we're feeling our way
>>     into this realm
>>     >> but you will find us eager students and quick learners. Please
>>     keep the
>>     >> guidance coming. As such, see below for our re-factored
>>     "concise questions",
>>     >> and a request for clarification on one ambiguity:
>>     >>
>>     >> Immediate questions from the BLOC on needs/next steps:
>>     >>
>>     >> Since our LOC is not incorporated, we would like to proceed
>>     with the same
>>     >> model that Cameron described he followed in 2009 with "OSGeo
>>     (being) the
>>     >> legal body which engaged with the PCO." What should we do, and
>>     with whom, to
>>     >> initiate this process?
>>     >> Can the BLOC obtain a $10,000(US) advance to fund startup
>>     costs, including
>>     >> with our PCO, to cover the period from February - August? What
>>     should we do,
>>     >> and with whom, to initiate this process?
>>     >>
>>     >> Request for clarification:
>>     >>
>>     >> Heard, understood and acknowledged regarding aiming messages
>>     at the
>>     >> Conference Dev mailing list. Should we do this exclusively on
>>     opening salvos
>>     >> of requests? Or, should we also CC the Board? In other words,
>>     is it up to
>>     >> the Conference Dev list to decide when something needs to be
>>     elevated to the
>>     >> board?
>>     >>
>>     >> Thanks again...We're looking forward to moving into the
>>     activation phase
>>     >> of this odyssey.
>>     >>
>>     >> MT
>>     >>
>>     >> On Sat, Jan 23, 2016 at 3:36 PM, Cameron Shorter
>>     >> <cameron.shorter at gmail.com <mailto:cameron.shorter at gmail.com>>
>>     wrote:
>>     >>>
>>     >>> Hi Michael,
>>     >>> For conference related questions, I suggest your first point
>>     of call be
>>     >>> the conference email list (CCed), which contains past foss4g
>>     leaders.
>>     >>>
>>     >>> (This is how OSGeo was set up to work when things are working
>>     smoothly.
>>     >>> Committees are where most decisions are made, and the board
>>     is only called
>>     >>> in to validate important decisions.)
>>     >>>
>>     >>> For this email thread, I suggest being more specific in your
>>     question. If
>>     >>> you know what you want, suggest it.
>>     >>> "I'm thinking we should do XXX, can you please confirm this
>>     is ok."
>>     >>> "We have selected our PCO, and we now need to set up a
>>     contract. We have
>>     >>> a contract needing reviewing / We need to draft a contract /
>>     Are there any
>>     >>> prior contracts we can look at to use as a basis of our
>>     contract / ..."
>>     >>>
>>     >>> You will find concise questions are much easier to answer,
>>     and hence you
>>     >>> are more likely to get a response.
>>     >>>
>>     >>> In part answer to your question, there have been a number of
>>     different
>>     >>> engagement models for FOSS4G over the years.
>>     >>> In 2009, which I was involved in, the LOC was not
>>     incorporated, and OSGeo
>>     >>> was the legal body which engaged with the PCO.
>>     >>> In other years I think the LOC directly engaged the PCO.
>>     >>> How would the LOC like to proceed?
>>     >>>
>>     >>> Warm regards, Cameron
>>     >>>
>>     >>>
>>     >>> On 22/01/2016 4:47 am, Michael Terner wrote:
>>     >>>
>>     >>> While entirely respecting the ongoing efforts and precedence
>>     for both the
>>     >>> FOSS4G 2016 even in Bonn and the FOSS4GNA 2016 in Raleigh,
>>     NC, the Boston
>>     >>> Location Organizing Committee (BLOC) has begun our planning
>>     in earnest.
>>     >>> Toward that end it is time for us to formally engage with our
>>     Professional
>>     >>> Conference Organizer (PCO) and to think about contracts. Our
>>     understanding
>>     >>> is that this generally happens with contracts between OSGeo
>>     and the PCO, and
>>     >>> then the PCO acting as a financial agent on behalf of OSGeo
>>     vis a vis
>>     >>> entering into contracts with the venue and other suppliers.
>>     >>>
>>     >>> At this stage we are looking for guidance/confirmation on the
>>     process and
>>     >>> with whom we should engage to get details and start the ball
>>     rolling? We
>>     >>> also understand that it may be possible to obtain some early
>>     advance funding
>>     >>> that could support our startup until the Bonn event concludes
>>     and we really
>>     >>> accelerate the planning process.
>>     >>>
>>     >>> Thank you in advance for your support and guidance...
>>     >>>
>>     >>> Sincerely,
>>     >>>
>>     >>> MT & the BLOC
>>     >>> --
>>     >>> Michael Terner
>>     >>> Executive Vice President
>>     >>> 617-447-2468 <tel:617-447-2468> Direct | 617-447-2400
>>     <tel:617-447-2400> Main
>>     >>> Applied Geographics, Inc.
>>     >>> 24 School Street, Suite 500
>>     >>> Boston, MA 02108
>>     >>> www.AppGeo.com <http://www.appgeo.com/>
>>     >>>
>>     >>>
>>     >>> This e-mail message and any attachments may contain
>>     confidential or
>>     >>> legally privileged information. If you are not an intended
>>     recipient or
>>     >>> otherwise authorized to receive this message, you should not
>>     use, copy,
>>     >>> distribute, disclose or take any action based on the
>>     information contained
>>     >>> in this e-mail or any attachments. If you have received this
>>     message and
>>     >>> material in error, please advise the sender immediately by
>>     reply e-mail and
>>     >>> delete this message. Thank you on behalf of Applied
>>     Geographics, Inc.
>>     >>> (AppGeo).
>>     >>>
>>     >>> _______________________________________________
>>     >>> Board mailing list
>>     >>> Board at lists.osgeo.org <mailto: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 <tel:%2B61%202%209009%205000>, W
>>     www.lisasoft.com <http://www.lisasoft.com/>, F +61 2 9009 5099
>>     <tel:%2B61%202%209009%205099>
>>     >>>
>>     >>>
>>     >>> _______________________________________________
>>     >>> Board mailing list
>>     >>> Board at lists.osgeo.org <mailto:Board at lists.osgeo.org>
>>     >>> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/board
>>     >>
>>     >>
>>     >>
>>     >>
>>     >> --
>>     >> Michael Terner
>>     >> Executive Vice President
>>     >> 617-447-2468 <tel:617-447-2468> Direct | 617-447-2400
>>     <tel:617-447-2400> Main
>>     >> Applied Geographics, Inc.
>>     >> 24 School Street, Suite 500
>>     >> Boston, MA 02108
>>     >> www.AppGeo.com <http://www.appgeo.com/>
>>     >>
>>     >>
>>     >> This e-mail message and any attachments may contain
>>     confidential or
>>     >> legally privileged information. If you are not an intended
>>     recipient or
>>     >> otherwise authorized to receive this message, you should not
>>     use, copy,
>>     >> distribute, disclose or take any action based on the
>>     information contained
>>     >> in this e-mail or any attachments. If you have received this
>>     message and
>>     >> material in error, please advise the sender immediately by
>>     reply e-mail and
>>     >> delete this message. Thank you on behalf of Applied
>>     Geographics, Inc.
>>     >> (AppGeo)._______________________________________________
>>     >> Conference_dev mailing list
>>     >> Conference_dev at lists.osgeo.org
>>     <mailto:Conference_dev at lists.osgeo.org>
>>     >> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/conference_dev
>>     >>
>>     >>
>>     >>
>>     >>
>>     >> _______________________________________________
>>     >> Conference_dev mailing list
>>     >> Conference_dev at lists.osgeo.org
>>     <mailto:Conference_dev at lists.osgeo.org>
>>     >> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/conference_dev
>>     >>
>>     >>
>>     >> --
>>     >> 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 <tel:%2B61%202%209009%205000>, W
>>     www.lisasoft.com <http://www.lisasoft.com/>, F +61 2 9009 5099
>>     <tel:%2B61%202%209009%205099>
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >
>>     > --
>>     > Michael Terner
>>     > Executive Vice President
>>     > 617-447-2468 <tel:617-447-2468> Direct | 617-447-2400
>>     <tel:617-447-2400> Main
>>     > Applied Geographics, Inc.
>>     > 24 School Street, Suite 500
>>     > Boston, MA 02108
>>     > www.AppGeo.com <http://www.appgeo.com/>
>>     >
>>     >
>>     > This e-mail message and any attachments may contain
>>     confidential or legally
>>     > privileged information. If you are not an intended recipient or
>>     otherwise
>>     > authorized to receive this message, you should not use, copy,
>>     distribute,
>>     > disclose or take any action based on the information contained
>>     in this
>>     > e-mail or any attachments. If you have received this message
>>     and material in
>>     > error, please advise the sender immediately by reply e-mail and
>>     delete this
>>     > message. Thank you on behalf of Applied Geographics, Inc. (AppGeo).
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >
>>     > _______________________________________________
>>     > Conference_dev mailing list
>>     > Conference_dev at lists.osgeo.org
>>     <mailto:Conference_dev at lists.osgeo.org>
>>     > http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/conference_dev
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> *Michael Terner*
>> /Executive Vice President/
>> 617-447-2468 Direct | 617-447-2400 Main
>> Applied Geographics, Inc.
>> 24 School Street, Suite 500
>> Boston, MA 02108
>> www.AppGeo.com <http://www.appgeo.com/>
>> **
>>
>> This e-mail message and any attachments may contain confidential or 
>> legally privileged information. If you are not an intended recipient 
>> or otherwise authorized to receive this message, you should not use, 
>> copy, distribute, disclose or take any action based on the 
>> information contained in this e-mail or any attachments. If you have 
>> received this message and material in error, please advise the sender 
>> immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message. Thank you on 
>> behalf of Applied Geographics, Inc. (AppGeo).<DMEM OSGeo FOSS4G 
>> Contract (2).pdf><Financial Plan for FOSS4G 2017 - Spending Plan.pdf>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Conference_dev mailing list
> Conference_dev at lists.osgeo.org
> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/conference_dev

-- 
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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