Hi Jody, "While I like the idea of greater charter member involvement, I like the idea of member involvement even more."
How do you wish to realize this. Do you think that 'Charter member' vs 'Ordinary Lister/User/Member'.. the later merits more.. THEN Why bother and have a special classification as 'Charter Member'... Cheers Ravi Kumar On Tue, Oct 17, 2017 at 8:21 AM, Jody Garnett <jody.garn...@gmail.com> wrote: > I am uncomfortable with the five star presentation you outline. FOSS4G is > a open source tech conference that mixes things up in a great creative > melting pot, just like our community. Limiting foss4g to just an industry > or academic event would sell it short. > > While I recognize Arnulf’s words, I wish we could find another source of > funds taking pressure off the conference committee and freeing the > organization to use the event more effectively for advocacy. > — - > Ravi I am going to take your second question as wondering what greater > role our charter members can play? > > In this case I am not sure, and need to listen to others - what would you > like to see charter members do? > > Right now we have an inclusive setup where anyone can join or > organization, take part in a local chapter or a committee. By stepping up > as a member, our organization is open to anyone willing to take on > responsibility with passion and enthusiasm ... with no requirement to be a > charter member. > > While I like the idea of greater charter member involvement, I like the > idea of member involvement even more. > > On Mon, Oct 16, 2017 at 7:16 PM Ravi Kumar <manarajahmundry2...@gmail.com> > wrote: > >> Hi Vicky and all my OSGeo listers and particularly those who are >> following this thread, >> +1 .. OSGeo has blossomed since that meeting in Chicago (2006) attended >> by some, and Markus Netteler. >> You have FOSS4G Choises now.. Pick, that suites your budget, and >> philosophy (If you prefer not to see FOSS4G as 5*).. >> >> We depend on the collective wisdom of the board.. We the charter should >> never tire in Nudging the board with our views. >> >> Another question to Contenders to the Board: >> Wish a day will come when the Charter can play a more important role than >> breaking it's sleep walk, to vote now and then. >> >> Cheers >> >> Ravi Kumar >> >> >> >> On Mon, Oct 16, 2017 at 8:38 PM, Vicky Vergara <vi...@georepublic.de> >> wrote: >> >>> Hello Ravi: >>> >>> I had the opportunity to attend and to make a presentation on FOSS4G >>> Korea, afterwards, I also made a protestation on FOSS4G Tokyo. That was on >>> 2015, and was the same year I was also elected to be a charter member on >>> OSGeo. This trip was very educational for me, as I got to know more about >>> OSGeo, with the international event and with the local event. >>> >>> Next year, 2016, even that it would have been great to go to FOSS4G >>> Bonn, given budgets constraints, I opted to go to FOSS4G Asia instead. Lots >>> of students from Asia had participated on OSGeo-GSoC program, and I wanted >>> a close contact with them. The contact was so close that, Rohith Reddy, >>> student from IIIT in Hyderabad and ex-OSGeo-GSoC student, this year acted >>> as mentor and went to the GSoC mentor summit representing OSGeo. >>> >>> This year for FOSS4G Boston, OSGeo, had a travel grant to which I did >>> not apply, I preferred to go to FOSS4G Argentina (Starts next week), but I >>> did registered and attended the code-sprint (using IRC and jitsi for video). >>> About why Argentina, I saw it as an opportunity to communicate the >>> spirit of OSGeo on my mother tongue, further more, I arranged my trip >>> tohave a 22hr stay in Perú, where they are starting to create a local >>> chapter, and I hope to meet some OSGeo member(s). >>> >>> I also consider FOSS4G as an outreach event, and call it: >>> subconsciously, by accident, by preference, I've being going to the small >>> FOSS4G events after the first one where I learned so much. If you think >>> about it, by not going to the international one, and going to the small >>> FOSS4G, I have been spreading the word to the people that can not afford >>> the trip-accommodation-registration costs for the main FOSS4G, and >>> maybe someone else, will use the travel grant, can go learn more about >>> OSGeo on the main international event. >>> >>> >>> Vicky >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Oct 16, 2017 at 9:15 AM, Steven Feldman <shfeld...@gmail.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> Ravi >>>> >>>> This could be misinterpreted as some criticism of the volunteers who >>>> have staged outstanding FOSS4G events in the last years or even of the >>>> attendees who are able to afford to attend. I hope that is not the case? >>>> >>>> I’m not going to comment further on the challenges of hosting a 1000 >>>> person conference and the associated costs, I think Jeff has summed this up >>>> well. This discussion has gone round the conference, board and discuss >>>> lists for several years. If we want a large event we will have to accept >>>> the costs, the ticket price is typically a lot less than the travel, >>>> accommodation and meal costs that “out of country” visitors incur. >>>> >>>> The answer, IMO, is to encourage the growth of regional and national >>>> FOSS4G to enable lower cost access and to extend our outreach. I have seen >>>> little or no evidence presented to support the idea that local and regional >>>> events need funding from the centre but if a case can be made then the >>>> board should give that consideration and/or delegate that responsibility to >>>> the conference committee >>>> >>>> Let’s celebrate the success of our global events and their attendees >>>> who do a lot more than “hang out”. These events, through their generous >>>> sponsors, provide a lot of the funds for the OSGeo board to use in >>>> outreach, code sprints and other activities >>>> ______ >>>> Steven >>>> >>>> >>>> On 16 Oct 2017, at 07:59, Ravi Kumar <manarajahmundry2...@gmail.com> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Hi List, >>>> happy to note that 'FOSS4G being Costly/Unaffordable', is discussed. >>>> To make it fun, spice is added on the TERM HANGOUT.. >>>> >>>> May be the next board will have FOSS4G for Business, where in 5* >>>> comforts that might make business easy for OSGeo. >>>> Will also have, 'FOSS4G Developers', where in young students/Reserchers >>>> can have a great conference. >>>> >>>> Some fine tuning may make, Say , 1st 2 days 5 Star.. Next two >>>> affordable. >>>> But in a world where, 'COST some times means Efficiency', may not, >>>> 'play ball', with this Idea. >>>> >>>> Cheers.. and All the best to the Hopefuls >>>> >>>> Ravi Kumar >>>> >>>> >>>> On Mon, Oct 16, 2017 at 11:19 AM, Jody Garnett <jody.garn...@gmail.com> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Okay I checked that the report is not published yet (sigh). I really >>>>> appreciated Jeff's answer, and agree that regional foss4g events are >>>>> seeing >>>>> great success and are much more affordable. >>>>> >>>>> To answer your question: >>>>> >>>>> *'Do you agree that FOSS4G is turning out to be a hangout for those >>>>> who can afford it'*.. >>>>> >>>>> I have never agreed that FOSS4G is a hangout - I continue to view it >>>>> as our most effective outreach event. >>>>> >>>>> *costs (of participation) are so high that many might not afford.. * >>>>> >>>>> I very much agree with this, indeed I was only able to attend >>>>> the Lausanne event by the kindness of people letting me sleep on their >>>>> hotel floor. I have tried to return the favour each time the event took >>>>> place in my home city. >>>>> >>>>> *If selected to the board HOW do you wish to correct this...* >>>>> >>>>> This is a tricky one, in part because I do not have to imagine - here >>>>> is my own recommendation from the bo...@osgeo.org email list thread: f2f >>>>> meeting follow up >>>>> <https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2017-August/010526.html>: >>>>> >>>>> On 21 August 2017 at 11:23, Jody Garnett <jody.garnett at gmail.com> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> *I saw this thread get into the details of the RFP - for that we have* >>>>> *volunteers on the conference committee. My goal as a board member is >>>>> to* >>>>> *work on strategy, as the conference committee knows best about the >>>>> RFP* >>>>> *wording and process.* >>>>> >>>>> **Q: *Based on the affordability report, and resulting discussion, did >>>>> we as **the board have any direction to ask the conference committee >>>>> to steer in?* >>>>> >>>>> *My own feedback:* >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> *1) I was pleasantly surprised that the ticket cost of foss4g has not >>>>> **changed >>>>> significantly over the course of the events (indeed our most **expensive >>>>> event was Sydney and our cheapest Korea).* >>>>> >>>>> *I do not see any guidance to provide here (this was surprising to >>>>> me).* >>>>> >>>>> *2) Attendance continues to increase limiting appropriate venues* >>>>> >>>>> *I do not see any guidence to provide here, our community and event >>>>> is **growing. I think once we get around 3000 people we may be forced >>>>> to settle **down to consider a fixed location, but at 1000-2000 we >>>>> can still move it **around.* >>>>> >>>>> *3) regional events are killing it* >>>>> >>>>> *I do not see any guidence to provide here, our community and events >>>>> is **growing. **The hope is this takes some of the strain from the >>>>> global event, allowing **it to focus on outreach and advocacy more.* >>>>> >>>>> *4) hard for students to attend (also journal, etc...)* >>>>> >>>>> *There was a strong hope that travel grant program could help out a >>>>> lot **here, that would make me sad as this was intended to work >>>>> towards **diversity.* >>>>> >>>>> *While there may be guidance here I am not close enough to the >>>>> academic **world to provide useful direction.* >>>>> >>>>> *5) diversity* >>>>> >>>>> *The original intention of the travel grant was to bring diversity >>>>> awareness **to our osgeo events (to apply regional events are asked >>>>> to set a diversity **target which travel grant can help towards). >>>>> During foss4g I attended a **diversity presentation that advocated >>>>> creating a safe space.* >>>>> >>>>> **Guidance: *Trial the use of providing a safe space in the 2018 bid.* >>>>> >>>>> *Similar recommendations online include:* >>>>> *- make female speakers a priority (not just in selection, but before >>>>> hand* >>>>> *in promotion, one-on-one mentoring etc...).* >>>>> *- providing child care (this helps families attend)* >>>>> >>>>> *Since these haver not been advocated by members of our community I am >>>>> only **comfortable providing guidance on providing a safe space. >>>>> Perhaps some of **these ideas can be tried out at regional >>>>> conferences first.* >>>>> >>>>> *6) time of year* >>>>> >>>>> *The events have moved from September/October to August placing it in >>>>> the **way of European holidays. With the bulk of our contributors in >>>>> Europe this **has affected how many of our contributors can attend.* >>>>> >>>>> **Guidance: *Request September / October event (to maximize >>>>> contributors who **can attend).* >>>>> >>>>> *I understand next years event has plans to turn this into a holiday >>>>> for **families which is a cunning plan.* >>>>> >>>>> *7) travel / accommodation* >>>>> >>>>> *I would like to avoid prime tourist season to avoid asking attendees >>>>> pay **high airfair and accommodation costs. We did not have the >>>>> number in the **affordability report to back this up (but Michael >>>>> Smith was going to look **things up).* >>>>> >>>>> **Guidance: *Request September / October event (to avoid peak tourist * >>>>> *season).* >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Followed by: >>>>> >>>>> *> 5) diversity* >>>>> >>>>> *On reflection I am a bit uncomfortable offering guidance here - >>>>> lacking the **needed perspective. I would ask that the conference >>>>> committee consider **diversity as a selection criteria, but would >>>>> hold off on providing specific **advice listed above. I recognize >>>>> that the board as a whole is a diverse **body and may be in position >>>>> to offer guidance.* >>>>> >>>>> *I just don't think it is my place either as a board member (need to >>>>> trust **the marketing committee) or as a white male (can offer only >>>>> concern, not **perspective).* >>>>> >>>>> *Aside: This whole discussion has increased my respect for the >>>>> conference **committee, this is tough stuff. I thank those who >>>>> contribute positively as **part of the conference committee.* >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The thing to note is that as a board member we can offer guidance, or >>>>> in extreme cases provide a mandate to a group that wishes to act. I you >>>>> asked me "*HOW do you wish to correct this" * the answer would be to >>>>> join the conference committe and help out, an ability each of us has as a >>>>> volunteer. >>>>> >>>>> The conference committee has my trust, and as I understand they are >>>>> deeply aware and concerned about this issue. >>>>> -- >>>>> Jody Garnett >>>>> >>>>> On 15 October 2017 at 16:56, Jody Garnett <jody.garn...@gmail.com> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> We actually have solid numbers for this, a report was provided at the >>>>>> Boston meeting that kind of answers this to my satisfaction. >>>>>> >>>>>> I was waiting for it to be shared with the membership, since your >>>>>> question was one I have been asked repeatedly over the last six months, >>>>>> especially at foss4ge. >>>>>> >>>>>> I would really like you to be able to read the report and reach your >>>>>> own conclusion. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sun, Oct 15, 2017 at 4:45 PM Ravi Kumar < >>>>>> manarajahmundry2...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Question (would be Board). 'Do you agree that FOSS4G is turning >>>>>>> out to be a hangout for those who can afford it'.. costs (of >>>>>>> participation) >>>>>>> are >>>>>>> so high that many might not afford.. If selected to the board HOW do >>>>>>> you wish to correct this.. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Ravi Kumar >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> Discuss mailing list >>>>>>> Discuss@lists.osgeo.org >>>>>>> https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Jody Garnett >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Discuss mailing list >>>> Discuss@lists.osgeo.org >>>> https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Discuss mailing list >>>> Discuss@lists.osgeo.org >>>> https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> >>> Georepublic UG (haftungsbeschränkt) >>> Salzmannstraße 44, >>> 81739 München, Germany >>> >>> Vicky Vergara >>> Operations Research >>> >>> eMail: vi...@georepublic.de >>> Web: https://georepublic.info >>> >>> Tel: +49 (089) 4161 7698-1 >>> Fax: +49 (089) 4161 7698-9 >>> >>> Commercial register: Amtsgericht München, HRB 181428 >>> CEO: Daniel Kastl >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Discuss mailing list >>> Discuss@lists.osgeo.org >>> https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Discuss mailing list >> Discuss@lists.osgeo.org >> https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss > > -- > -- > Jody Garnett >
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