[EU] Chapter creation as NGO

[Jeff McKenna]

Hi Dirk, all,

I've given a read to the bylaws draft.  After reading it, I am still 
unsure of:

  - will this entity ("association" as referenced in this document) 
request official acceptance as an OSGeo Local Chapter, from the OSGeo 
Board?  (maybe this should be mentioned in "Article 3" in the document)

  - how will this association interact with the OSGeo foundation? (maybe 
this is a missing section/"article")  Meaning: does the vision include 
operating as a normal local chapter, or, some other vision?  It would be 
good to state this in the draft.



-jeff



On 2017-01-14 11:17 AM, Dirk Frigne wrote:
> Till et all,
>
> I created a shared document on Google drive with the english translation
> of the bylaws. PLease provide your comments into the document and discuss.
>
> I already received from 4 members the address, date and place of birth,
> so they will be part of the document and will be registered in the
> Belgium Statute Book.
>
> Those indicated on the wiki, but not yet informed me with their private
> data have a comment on their name in the document.
>
> Please send me per private é-mail your data, so I can prepare the
> official registration accordingly.
>
>
> https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B6VDKzAKHUKESEpPbERER2p2Y3c?usp=sharing
>
>
> Dirk
>
> On 12-01-17 15:10, Till Adams wrote:
>> Hi Dirk,
>>
>> sorry, I guess you overrate my french knowledge ... perhaps I
>> understand, what is written (with much help from leo.org) but I am not
>> able to translate it.
>>
>> If there is somebody that is able to translate it to true english, I
>> could translate the english version to german.
>>
>> Regards, Till
>>
>>
>> Am 11.01.2017 um 18:16 schrieb Dirk Frigne:
>>> 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
>>>>
>>>