[Aust-NZ] FOSS4G-ANZ?

Tue Nov 21 02:21:23 PST 2017

Hi everyone, looks like we have to do it now ;)

Lots of good questions and discussions here re: timing, size, costs,
organisational requirements, and tie-ins. Very nice to know OSGeo has our
back. Definitely more conversations to be had around all this!

My impression: there's enough interest here already to get started.

I see the first steps, roughly, as:

-form a committee & determine 'rules of engagement' (how do we work
together as a group?)
-broadly scope the event, determine key details (what is it? when is it?)
-nominate and save the date
-plot out a schedule for the planning process
-identify, and begin engaging with, key stakeholders
-begin spreading the word!

I'm not especially experienced in event organising, so could very well be
I'm missing some key pieces here. Also a little unsure about process; the
transparency of a mailing list is great, but might it make sense to use
scheduled committee meetings (over IRC/Slack/Google Hangouts/Skype?) to
discuss points like these?

In the interest of taking this bit of momentum and carrying it forward, I
propose we get moving as soon as possible... from what I hear about
conference planning, time goes by too quickly! Would be nice to have the
above under control by year's end.

Onwards!

John

On 21 November 2017 at 01:49, Jeff McKenna <jmckenna at gatewaygeomatics.com>
wrote:

> Hi Adam, all,
>
> Great to see the momentum for a FOSS4G-ANZ event!  (as others mentioned,
> this was a hot topic at FOSS4G-Boston, so I am glad to see further
> discussions)
>
> As John, Bruce, and others here can attest, I've been helping organize
> regional and global FOSS4G events now for a long time, and can give some
> open thoughts and advice here (not saying that any of this is useful, but
> just throwing ideas out there for thought).  I also pushed very hard for
> the OSGeo foundation to agree to bring the global event to Sydney back in
> 2008/2009, so I feel that I have a history here and can give some advice.
>
> - I think the future model of FOSS4G events can be seen in the recent
> FOSS4G-SotM-AR http://www.foss4g-ar.org/ (Argentina).  Notice how the
> event is a co-event with OSM's State of the Map event.  This absolutely
> makes sense today.  In the past, speaking openly here, there was maybe a
> worry that one event would overshadow the other, etc, so these joined
> events never happened.  Well that is not the case anymore.  I see a future
> where both regional and global FOSS4G and State of the Map teams work
> together (in the past year, Rob Nickerson the State of the Map coordinator
> and I started working together and sharing ideas for the events and how
> they can work more closely together - this direct "phone line" is a first
> step in a closer relationship I believe).
>
> - so I would recommend the name be something like "FOSS4G-SoTM-ANZ"
>
> - it is not too early to start looking at a domain and host for the event
> website.  For example, OSGeo can provide a url of something like
> anz.foss4g.org We/OSGeo would need the IP address where the website is
> hosted, so we can point the domain to that IP. So in other words, you need
> a host machine for the website first.
>
> - it is also a great time to start working on a logo for the event. FOSS4G
> event logos require the FOSS4G ribbon in it (see some examples at
> http://foss4g.org), which is a longtime symbol of sharing of ideas, the
> flow of innovation, in our community.  I think a great way to tackle the
> logo is to setup a logo competition, where the winner gets free
> registration for the event.  Or to directly ask local students to draft the
> logo.  Both are a great way to start promoting the event.
>
> - regarding the OSGeo foundation's requirements for support, well it does
> depend of what 'support' you need.  The OSGeo foundation has typically been
> involved in supporting and providing seed money for the annual global
> event.  That is to say that it isn't possible for OSGeo to provide funding
> for a regional event - really there needs to be a clear budget setup, and
> then a formal request sent to the OSGeo Board mailing list for whatever
> funding you need (likely then your request would be added to the next Board
> meeting, and one of your representatives would be asked to attend that
> meeting, on IRC chat, to discuss that agenda item).
>
> - you might consider as part of the FOSS4G-SoTM-ANZ schedule, to hold a
> one-day code sprint (usually on the Saturday after the main talks end), and
> the OSGeo foundation could provide funding for that (see the sprint
> guidelines at https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Code_Sprint_Guidelines). Again,
> a formal request through an email to the OSGeo Board would have to be sent.
>
> - note that OSGeo does not require the Aust-NZ local chapter to be
> formalized / incorporated, for any of this to occur.  (from your local
> chapter page I see that incorporation was considered before
> https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Aust-NZ#Incorporation).  What you may need
> though is a bank account, which could spur you to incorporate the local
> chapter.  It is up to you.
>
> - But I can tell you here that the OSGeo foundation is more than willing
> for you to start using the OSGeo logo on your materials, website, sponsor
> prospectus, in order to get moving.
>
> - OSGeo can also setup any new mailing lists you need, or even an email
> alias, such as sponsor-foss4g-anz(at)osgeo.org that would forward to your
> sponsorship team leaders.
>
> I hope this gives your local team some ideas.  I am truly happy and
> excited to see these FOSS4G-ANZ discussions!  Let me know if I can help in
> any way.
>
> Thank you,
>
> -jeff
>
>
> --
> Jeff McKenna
> President Emeritus, OSGeo Foundation
> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Jeff_McKenna
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 2017-11-20 6:55 AM, adam steer wrote:
>
>> Hi all
>>
>> agree with Cameron’s points, and Alex’s, and Toby’s. as a fundamental
>> step, what needs doing to get support from osgeo? formalising the ANZ
>> chapter?
>>
>> I’ll ask around at ANU/CSIRO here in CBR also for venue costs/support.
>>
>> Fundamental other question: would we want to get this going - in 2018?
>> Could I suggest winter or summer - international f4G is usually August-ish,
>> Locate is April-ish - what about June/July-ish or December-ish for
>> ‘foss4g-anz’?
>>
>> Cheers
>> Adam
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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> Aust-NZ at lists.osgeo.org
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>
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