[mapguide-internals] RE: [mapguide-users] MapGuide Project Sponsorship RFC 83

[Trevor Wekel]

Hi Andy,

We were planning to use the standard OSGeo Project Sponsorship mechanism http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Project_Sponsorship.  From what I understand, this mechanism calls for a minimum sponsorship amount of $500 USD.  I expect this lower limit was set to reduce the reporting and management overhead associated with managing small payment amounts.

I believe GDAL/OGR and OpenLayers both use the OSGeo Project Sponsorship mechanism and they have a $500 minimum.  GRASS GIS does not use the OSGeo sponsorship mechanism and they do not place a lower limit on the sponsorship amount.

Currently, our Builds Donation button uses a PayPal account owned by OTX Systems (my company).  I think this is ok the for builds since OTX Systems is supplying the service.  However, I am not sure it makes sense to use that account for general MapGuide project sponsorship.  OTX Systems would not be the sole provider of services rendered for project sponsorship.

To me, using an OTX Systems PayPal account for general MapGuide Sponsorship seems messy from an accounting, taxation, and ownership standpoint.  Since the PSC members are not OTX Systems Directors, they would not have explicit control over the money.  With the OSGeo Project Sponsorship mechanism, they (we) do.

Another alternative I see is to create a separate Canadian corporation with some/all PSC members being shareholders and directors.  This corporation could then set up a PayPal account, accept donations, and disperse funds accordingly.  To go along with the intent of OSGeo Project Sponsorship, 25% of the funds taken in should be donated to the OSGeo Foundation.  Suitable names could be the "Canadian MapGuide Foundation", or perhaps "Canadian OSGeo Chapter". 

Personally, I like the idea of setting up a corporation to manage the sponsorship money.  But it does increase costs and someone will have spend lot of time to do all the corporate paperwork - income tax, annual returns, write up minutes, etc., etc.  We would have to raise at least $2000 from the community just to cover corporation setup, accounting/tax software, and the OSGeo Foundation donation.

Thanks,
Trevor


-----Original Message-----
From: mapguide-internals-bounces at lists.osgeo.org [mailto:mapguide-internals-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Andy Morsell
Sent: September 11, 2009 5:21 PM
To: 'MapGuide Internals Mail List'
Subject: [mapguide-internals] RE: [mapguide-users] MapGuide Project Sponsorship RFC 83

Trevor,
Is there any reason why sponsor contributions below $500 USD would not be
allowed?  Many individual or sole proprietor (like me) contributors would
not be able to donate $500 a pop.  

Thanks,

Andy 


-----Original Message-----
From: mapguide-users-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
[mailto:mapguide-users-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Trevor Wekel
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 8:12 PM
To: MapGuide Internals Mail List; MapGuide Users Mail List
Subject: [mapguide-users] MapGuide Project Sponsorship RFC 83

Hello lists,

After some initial discussion with MapGuide PSC members, I am presenting RFC
83 - Project Sponsorship to the community for review and comment.  This RFC
lays the groundwork for official sponsorship of the MapGuide Open Source
Project.  The sponsorship methodology closely follows other OSGeo projects
such as GDAL/OGR and OpenLayers.

http://trac.osgeo.org/mapguide/wiki/MapGuideRfc83

Any comments, questions, or concerns regarding the RFC are welcome.


Thank you,
Trevor Wekel  


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