[talk-au] OSM representation in Australia

[James Livingston]

On 11/08/2009, at 4:51 PM, Liz wrote:
> On Tue, 11 Aug 2009, John Smith wrote:
>>
>> If anything I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to achieve an  
>> outcome,
>> the outcome needs a legal entity of some sort, a local entity would  
>> be one
>> way, another is to go via OSMF although I don't know how much or how
>> willing they would be either.
>>
> we would be better with a local entity
> its not easy for a company to deal with something international

 From what I've read about OSM Local Chapters, we would have a local  
entity which is "federated" to the OSM Foundation. Which means that  
the local entity (e.g. OSM Australia, although it could be an existing  
mapping/GIS body not exclusive to OSM) can say they officially  
represent OSM in Australia, use the OSM trademark, have all of our  
members be voting members of OSMF, and the like.

If anyone is familiar with the Linux community, this is basically the  
same as having the Linux Australia as the peak body to which all the  
local Linux User Groups are affiliated.


Money is an interesting issue. Currently (although there is some  
discussion right not on osmf-talk) you need to pay £15 a year to be a  
member of OSMF, and the last I read of Local Chapters the plan was for  
the LC to pay £10 per member to OSMF to be federated which lets them  
all be OSMF members too. That could change however.

At the current exchange rate, that would mean being a member of OSM  
Australia would need to cost at least $20 a year, plus anything for  
the local chapter to run itself.