[OSGeo-Standards] OSGeo finances

[Munich Orientation Convention]

Dear Angelos,


I'd have a simple solution for the mentioned financial problem. 
The only condition is: OSM reconsiders the merit principle, and this in
favor of the consumer.

The good intention of the OSM rules is to avoid any dependence of big techs.
But at the same time OSM is combating inventors like me and impeding any
discussions and progress. 

I've developed a STANDARD proposal for all orientation tools, see the video
https://volksnav.de/aSimpleCircle . 
One problem: if this standard would be "open", immediately hundreds of
"better" standards would arise, destroying the goal.

Concerning cartography, the fundamental innovations - respectively quantum
jumps - would be:

	- A non-academic, metrical and zoomable reference grid . 
	Actual preference of OSM, OGC, Google etc.:	 ignore/combat
https://volksnav.de/YouAreHere 

	 - IMAGINABLE location codes including house numbers and room
numbers
	Actual OSM preference: 	ignore/combat  
	Others preference: 		enigmatic ones
https://volksnav.de/alternatives    

I'm for example proposing the invention to Overture maps but I'm for example
seeing that Meta etc. would be interested to impede that Google etc. can use
it.

I'd prefer a cooperation with OSM but OSM combats the merit principle: those
who have a salary and aren't inventors demonize those who insist on a return
of intellectual investment.

The way out I see would be a good old but forgotten tool: symbolical fees.

The fee would depend on the value of the benefit. For example, Cameroon
wants a digital addressing system https://volksnav.de/Cameroon . In this
case the fee of course would be a higher one than for just a humanitarian
map.

Do you think in the meantime the board would be open minded enough for
non-conventional proposals? 

Henrique


-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Discuss [mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] Im Auftrag von Angelos
Tzotsos via Discuss
Gesendet: Montag, 10. März 2025 14:34
An: OSGeo Discussions
Cc: OSGeo Board; projects at lists.osgeo.org
Betreff: [OSGeo-Discuss] OSGeo finances

Dear OSGeo community,

In February 2026, OSGeo will celebrate its 20 year anniversary. In these 
two decades it has seen incredible growth, from the number of incubated 
projects, to the proliferation of Local Chapters, to the number FOSS4G 
conferences around the world, as well as the constant increase in the 
number of participants to these conferences. Without a doubt, the 
community has significantly expanded and, in many aspects, it has become 
successful. However, the current situations brings compelling challenges 
that the Foundation must address, one of which is clearly the financial 
aspect.

The 2025 budget has been discussed and was recently approved 
(https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/OSGeo_Budget_2025 / 
https://www.loomio.com/d/W2qoQdbB/osgeo-budget-2025/1) and it brought 
important cuts almost everywhere. To SAC, to OSGeo projects, to the 
marketing committee and others. Furthermore, it is not the first year 
that the requested amounts could only be partially approved, delayed or 
even denied and every time, the decisions were not easily taken. Thus, 
it is safe and sad to say that today, the OSGeo Foundation is 
under-funded and without fundamental changes, the risk of collapse due 
to its own success is real.

It has become more obvious after the COVID pandemic: the combination of 
almost complete dependency on the financial success of the yearly global 
conference, coupled with the lack of structure and agreements between 
the OSGeo Foundation, Local Chapters and local and regional FOSS4G 
conferences is having dangerous consequences on the budget. Even more, 
given that the Foundation relies solely on volunteers (except for a very 
limited amount of consulting fees for SAC) and that it has no 
professional staff, is a significant hindrance when it comes to 
attracting and retaining sponsors.

We want to assure the community that addressing this situation is a top 
priority for the OSGeo board and we have started to work on drafting 
potential changes on the current structure, financial setup and status 
that would curve the current trajectory and would allow the Foundation 
to serve its community on the long run. In the near future, the board is 
planning a dedicated meeting for which your participation, as well as 
your suggestions are more than welcomed.

On behalf of the OSGeo Board,
Angelos

-- 
Angelos Tzotsos, PhD
President, Board of Directors
Open Source Geospatial Foundation
https://www.osgeo.org/member/angelos-tzotsos/

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