[EU] Chapter creation as NGO

[Ari Jolma]

Hi,

I added myself to the list and added my personal details on my OSGeo 
wiki page (the date and place of birth show only in the source for some 
reason).

Is this an accurate description of the conditions for international 
not-for-profit NGOs having their seat in Belgium?

http://www.uia.org/belgianlaw

Sorry, but I cannot read bylaws which are in French or Dutch. My 
concerns would be on

* how the governance structure is set up, there should preferably be 
some kind of balance between popular vote and representativeness of 
countries (and people/countries from outside of EU should not be left 
out completely)

* if the organization takes financial risk, then that risk should not be 
on the board members personally

Best,

Ari


11.01.2017, 19:16, Dirk Frigne kirjoitti:
> Hi Jeff,
>
> Ha, we don't laugh ...
> We appreciate the support from Canada:-)
>
> I think also we need this momentum to go on with the creation of the
> non-for-profit organisation.
>
> In Bonn there was a decision in the BOF meeting Wednesday August 24;
> 17:30, to go on with the initiative. The attendants decided that Vasile,
> Maria and myself should look for several alternatives, and in a meeting
> some time ago between Vasile, myself and Maria we decided to look if
> Spain should be a good country to create the organisation.
>
> Europe is a region with a lot of languages. And the organisation should
> be registered in the official language of the country.
>
> Belgium is a good alternative, because of the several official languages
> in place and the fact that anyone can become a founding member (no
> restriction on nationality).
> Some information (in Dutch) you can find here [1]
> The advantage of a Belgium as the country to host the non-for-profit
> organisation is that we can have the bylaws in all the official Belgium
> languages: French, Dutch and German. The English version can then be
> created as a reference for other language speaking members.
> Another advantage is that I have experience with non-for-profit
> organisations and organisations in general.
>
> We can use the bylaws of the OSGeo.be organisation as an example to
> start from (in attachement) as we besed these bylaws on OSGeo.org.
> These bylaws are in French and I can translate them to Dutch and
> English, Till can translate them maybe into German. We can publish them
> in the several official languages.
>
> I note following members as founding members (as of today 11/1/2017).
> If you are interested to join and are not yet on the list, please add
> your name on the wiki[2]
>
> Please give me also your birth date, place of birth and your official
> address. This should be sufficient for the registration.
>
>
> Dirk.
>
> [1] http://justice.belgium.be/sites/default/files/downloads/VZW_NL.pdf
> [2] https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Europe
>
>
>
> On 11-01-17 14:47, Jeff McKenna wrote:
>> Hi María, all,
>>
>> I am in full support of an official non-profit organization, around the
>> EU chapter of OSGeo.
>>
>> Dirk and others know that I have been trying to help this along for
>> years now, even in person in meetings with Dirk, and I do understand the
>> importance of this official entity - it will open doors and give
>> opportunities.
>>
>> The QGIS project did create its own official entity, QGIS.ORG registered
>> in Switzerland, but as a for-profit organization - I also supported that
>> creation, initially discussing with Tim and others, and it seems to be
>> doing great for their needs (similar to OSGeo, they just released their
>> 2016 financial report and are discussing their 2017 budget).
>>
>> So I feel attached to this discussion, and am interested to help the
>> EU/Europe chapter formation along.  I also volunteer to help, and to be
>> listed as an initial member (before you laugh, consider that I have
>> attended almost all FOSS4G-Europe events, and never attended a single
>> FOSS4G-NorthAmerica event: that fact should show you the importance of
>> Europe for the OSGeo community).
>>
>> I have read this whole thread and am interested in seeing this through.
>>
>> So keep up the great momentum! :)
>>
>> -jeff
>>
>
>
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