[North America] updated status 25 Nov 2011

[Daniel Morissette]

On 11-11-25 11:32 AM, Mark Lucas wrote:
>
> There has been very constructive discussion on the various lists related
> to the North America chapter, ideas for an annual regional conference,
> and what can be done to assist the international event in Beijing this
> year. I think most of the questions are being addressed adequately and I
> sense that we are headed for approving the NA chapter at the next board
> meeting the first part of December. If we have missed anything, or
> anyone has questions, pleased let us know so we can do our best to
> address any concerns and promote good ideas.
>

One suggestion: even if that is not a documented requirement I would 
suggest that the NA chapter form a steering committee responsible for 
making all decisions relating to the chapter and a possible conference.

This steering committee would have open operation rules similar to 
OSGeo's project PSCs, with an open/balanced membership, etc. A committee 
with 5 or 7 interested parties could be good to get started.

I suggest this because one of the tough decision that this committee 
will have to make eventually is the location of the conference each 
year... a decision that is much easier to make for a well identified 
steering committee than a single individual trying to gather consensus 
from an unorganized group.

I speak from experience, having witnessed the tough decision process to 
decide on the MapServer Users Meeting location after the first years in 
Minneapolis and Ottawa. If there had been an organized steering 
committee for this event at the time it would have been easier to plan 
each of the following year's location (the problem went away when OSGeo 
was created of course).

-- 
Daniel Morissette
http://www.mapgears.com/
Provider of Professional MapServer Support since 2000