[OSGeo-Discuss] Creating a new "local-osgeo-chapter"

[Tyler Mitchell]

> It might be worthwhile to have two "categories", such as
> "OSGeo local chapter" and "OSGeo interest group"(not really
> sure if that's a good name or not).
> 
> "chapters" would be 'officially sanctioned' by the OSGeo board,
> based on "some guidelines".
> 
> "interest groups" could be less formal, and not have the need
> to 'follow all the guidelines', which of course also means not
> having the same affiliation with OSGeo.
> 
> I'm thinking that maybe "interest groups" could be able to
> have a wiki page, mailing list, etc., to facilitate being
> able to communicate/organize, and that forming an "interest
> group" would be a good first step to forming a "chapter".
> 
> If people in a regional area want to organize to form an
> "interest group", and get together to discuss common
> interests, presenting a low barrier to participation
> might be a good thing. If that group finds that the level
> of interest is high enough to sustain the group's activities,
> and that the group's interests coincide with the OSGeo
> guidelines required for "local chapters", than that group
> could become a "local chapter".

I think these area all good ideas Dave, and along the lines of what I think too. (a while ago I wrote:  http://mapserver.gis.umn.edu/community/osgeo/background/foundationtasks/ which mentions "User Group Support")

I see that there would be much more overhead with a local/regional "chapter".  Also that it would have official 'members'.

But for a local interest group (OSGeo LIG? :) you could just sign up, pay any membership fee and you are formally recognised as something.. like an OSGeo Associate (a Liggy? ;).

This could help solve one of the foundation's largest issues, that of membership.  For some reason we started with the idea that there should be a small number of formal/legal members that are voted on.  There hasn't been much discussion about how to expect, if we should, etc.  But I think everyone agrees that we want the doors to be open as much as possible without diluting or exposing the foundation is some way.  So the idea of an 'associate' or what I like to call a 'friend of the foundation' came up.  

I see that a local/regional interest is one way to have people join the foundation at that level.  Let everyone who wants to be associated with the foundaiton, join a particular LIG, either the closest one geographically or a virtual one until a local one is started.

Anyway, that's way too much brain dump for so early in the morning. :)

Tyler