[OSGeo-Conf] [Board] Stolen computer

[Michael Terner]

+ 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
>
>
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-- 
*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

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