[talk-au] Local entity

[Henk Hoff]

Hi all,

I've read the comments on the Local Entity that have been made on this
mailinglist today. I'd like to comment on them briefly.

First, all members of the Foundation board and different working groups are
volunteers. The reason why the Local Chapters working group has been
inactive for a while is that several people of the working group had very
busy schedules with their day-to-day work.
We've recently (today and last week) had two meetings to get things on track
again.
It was not our intention for frustrate people. Apologies for that if that
may have been the case.

We do welcome the input of the Australian community. We've actually changed
the time of our meetings so that people from Australia do not have to get
out of bed in the middle of the night to attend these meetings.

About the use of the name "OpenStreetMap". If there is an *official* request
for using OpenStreetMap, we can only grant that with a contract (= local
chapters agreement). Otherwise we can get into awkward situations.
Especially, now where in the process of setting up local chapters.
So, if you set up an organization with the intent of becoming a local
chapter, I am not withholding you from naming it OpenStreetMap Australia.
However, if (for some reason) that organization does not end up being a
local chapter, and another organization is, we may have a problem. That's
the reason why we're not going to give a formal approval for the use of the
name OpenStreetMap.
I hope this explains the position of the OSM Foundation into this matter.

Just in case: the next meeting of the Local Chapters working group is
January 7th @ 8AM GMT. If you want to join this meeting, let me know, and
I'll send you the dail in details (there is a local number for Sydney and
Melbourne you are able to use)

-- 
Henk Hoff

Boardmember
OpenStreetMap Foundation
+31 6 4808 8925
henk.hoff at osmfoundation.org

Name & Registered Office:
Openstreetmap Foundation
132 Maney Hill Road
Sutton Coldfield
B72 1JU
United Kingdom
A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales.
Registration No. 05912761.
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