[Talk-us] U.S. Local Chapters

[Peter Batty]

Based on some of the other discussion I've seen about local chapters, it
seems as though it may well be useful for us to have an OSM legal entity in
the US for various reasons. So if it's not too much hassle to set up I think
it's probably worth doing. I would vote for doing just one at the US level
though, I think that more local groups (state level etc) can just be
informal organizations as they are now, and can use the US local chapter if
and when they need a legal entity.
So I'd be supportive of setting something up, and happy to help out.

Cheers,
    Peter.

On Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 9:39 PM, Kate Chapman <kate at maploser.com> wrote:

> I currently do work with my local group that organizes around a wiki page:
> http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/MappingDC   I think there potentially
> can be some cash flow.
> We have been approaching local governments to get permissions to import
> their data.  In the case of the District of Columbia we can just download it
> off their website.  Some our municipalities there is a fee for them to make
> a DVD of their data.  There are individuals willing to pay in order to
> obtain the data, but it does amount to cash-flow.  There may be other
> situations where organizations would like to donate equipment such as GPS
> units as well.  Also when dealing with NGOs and governments having legal
> standing can also potentially give us more weight as well.
>
> Also since OSMF is U.K. based they can't necessarily handle legal issues
> within the United States depending on the scope of them.
>
> I'm not saying it is necessary to form a legal entity, but I don't think it
> is totally black and white either.
>
> -Kate Chapman
>
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 11:19 PM, Bill Ricker <bill.n1vux at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> At least some US local cadre organize around the state and city
>> wiki.osm.org pages, with just an event announcement on the list.
>> eg http://wiki.osm.org/wiki/Boston
>>
>> I've been around 501(c)(3) and related state incorporation and
>> charitable regs more often than I'd like. I'd rather spend my mapping
>> time mapping and leave any corporate governance to the OSMF and
>> CloudMade.
>>
>> Incorporation is useful if there are assets or liabilities.   I don't
>> see a cash flow in a OSM chapter.  If there isn't enough cash flow to
>> pay for Directors' Liability Insurance, incorporating just focuses
>> Liability on the Officers and Directors. The asset is the Map date,
>> rights for which are held by OSMF.  CloudMade and the OSMF should
>> handle the legal issues. Let's map.
>>
>> --
>> Bill
>> n1vux at arrl.net bill.n1vux at gmail.com
>>
>
>
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-- 
Peter Batty - President, Spatial Networking
W: +1 303 339 0957  M: +1 720 346 3954
Blog: http://geothought.blogspot.com
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