Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Chickens, Boards and Export Restrictions
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Some Local Chapters are going through this process currently, e.g. OSGeo-AustNZ. We will need to incorporate as a non profit within Australia with its overheads of audits, annual fees etc. One potential upside is that we may get some protection by way of Directors Insurance for people making decisions on behalf of OSGeo (or the local chapter). Bruce, Are you suggesting that the local chapter would be taking out directors insurance? At the OSGeo global level I believe we don't yet have directors insurance though we are looking into getting it (or perhaps we just got it recently). But that would not apply to local chapters which we make some effort to treat as separate entities to avoid cross-liability. For instance, we recently clarified that OSGeo local chapter representatives are not automatically OSGeo officers at the global level. So, my point is that local chapters should not assume that being an official chapter gives them any sort of insurance protection automatically. During the recent FOSS4G-2009 work, several of us were left high and dry with no protection from the parent body. This situation is not acceptable. Well, people need to judge acceptable risk, and act accordingly. In the past FOSS4G organizers have accepted the potential liability that comes with the role, with the exception that we generally have venue insurance for problems that occur on site during the conference (slip and fall, etc). Best regards, -- ---+-- I set the clouds in motion - turn up | Frank Warmerdam, [EMAIL PROTECTED] light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam and watch the world go round - Rush| President OSGeo, http://osgeo.org ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
[OSGeo-Discuss] Nice example of a foundation shop
Hi, The FSF has just launched [1] their online shop [2]. The shop is based on an open source online shop engine [3]. Perhaps it would be a nice idea to use the FSF experience in this matter and make an effort in future to launch OSGeo shop on our own. [1] http://www.fsf.org/news/new-fsf-store [2] http://shop.fsf.org/ [3] http://www.satchmoproject.com/ -- Mateusz Loskot, http://mateusz.loskot.net Charter Member of OSGeo, http://osgeo.org ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Director's Insurance (Chickens, Boards and Export Restrictions)
Insurance for office bearers is something I think is important and something I seriously consider when taking responsibility. While I enjoy giving a lot of my time to something I believe in, I don't want to put my house on the line in case I make a stupid decision. In taking my role as FOSS4G2009 committee chair, I first confirmed that I have no legal rights to approve finances (since I have no insurance). This is not a desirable situation. Frank Warmerdam wrote: [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Some Local Chapters are going through this process currently, e.g. OSGeo-AustNZ. We will need to incorporate as a non profit within Australia with its overheads of audits, annual fees etc. One potential upside is that we may get some protection by way of Directors Insurance for people making decisions on behalf of OSGeo (or the local chapter). Bruce, Are you suggesting that the local chapter would be taking out directors insurance? At the OSGeo global level I believe we don't yet have directors insurance though we are looking into getting it (or perhaps we just got it recently). But that would not apply to local chapters which we make some effort to treat as separate entities to avoid cross-liability. For instance, we recently clarified that OSGeo local chapter representatives are not automatically OSGeo officers at the global level. So, my point is that local chapters should not assume that being an official chapter gives them any sort of insurance protection automatically. During the recent FOSS4G-2009 work, several of us were left high and dry with no protection from the parent body. This situation is not acceptable. Well, people need to judge acceptable risk, and act accordingly. In the past FOSS4G organizers have accepted the potential liability that comes with the role, with the exception that we generally have venue insurance for problems that occur on site during the conference (slip and fall, etc). Best regards, -- Cameron Shorter Geospatial Systems Architect Tel: +61 (0)2 8570 5050 Mob: +61 (0)419 142 254 Think Globally, Fix Locally Commercial Support for Geospatial Open Source Solutions http://www.lisasoft.com/LISAsoft/SupportedProducts.html ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Director's Insurance (Chickens, Boards and Export Restrictions)
IMO: Cameron, Well said! We as a foundation are asking people to undertake roles of responsibility without training, guidance or in many cases even an outline of what is required. We trust to the good will and experience of the participants that noting will go wrong. One day, something will go wrong and I for one do not want to be on the receiving end. I would like to ask the board to revisit this issue and provide clear guidance on just what support official position holders can expect from OSGeo. Bruce [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote on 16/06/2008 07:35:29 AM: Insurance for office bearers is something I think is important and something I seriously consider when taking responsibility. While I enjoy giving a lot of my time to something I believe in, I don't want to put my house on the line in case I make a stupid decision. In taking my role as FOSS4G2009 committee chair, I first confirmed that I have no legal rights to approve finances (since I have no insurance). This is not a desirable situation. Notice: This email and any attachments may contain information that is personal, confidential, legally privileged and/or copyright.No part of it should be reproduced, adapted or communicated without the prior written consent of the copyright owner. It is the responsibility of the recipient to check for and remove viruses. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender by return email, delete it from your system and destroy any copies. You are not authorised to use, communicate or rely on the information contained in this email. Please consider the environment before printing this email. ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
