United Kingdom Chapter Report 2008

UK Local Chapter

 * Contact name: Jo Cook

Key Accomplishments

 * Although the chapter was first mentioned in 2006, this was the first year that we started to really do something with it.
 * Mainly through presenting at various conferences, seminars and workshops, membership increased from a notional 3 to approx 50.

Areas for Improvement

 * We need to improve our web presence, and are working towards this by arranging pages on the main OSGeo website.
 * We need to produce printed literature supporting the OSGeo cause and that of the local chapter.
 * We need to keep the momentum going and continue to raise the profile of the group.

Opportunities to Help

 * Sign up at the wiki and come to the conference in June 2009!
 * Identify opportunities for the chapter members to meet up, or present on OSGeo.
 * Help find case studies on succesful transitions to, or use cases for, open source GIS.

Outlook for 2009

 * Official recognition for the chapter (in January 2009)
 * The first UK open source GIS conference, in Nottingham, on 22nd June 2009, in conjunction with the University of Nottingham Centre for Geospatial Science! This should be a great day, with lots of really interesting presentations and workshops.
 * Continuing efforts to raise the profile of open source GIS as a viable alternative for individuals, academics and business use, particularly in the light of the UK government's pledge to use more open source software.