British Columbia Chapter

INTRODUCTION

The Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo) is a global non-profit organization dedicated to building and supporting the highest quality open source geospatial software. The foundation's goal is to encourage the use and collaborative development of community-led projects. OSGeo BC is the proposed Local Chapter of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation.

Scope: OSGeo BC would form a locus of interaction for the open source geospatial community in British Columbia. This community would include any individual with any interest in open source geospatial processes, applications, software, data, hardware, networks, etc…

MISSION

OSGeo BC establishes a focal point for liaison, outreach, and technical interests within the geography of British Columbia

Liaison Committee

• Officially representing OSGeo BC with OSGeo Board, OSGeo Branches, government departments, or academic institutions…
• Taking responsibility for the strategies in planning and developing OSGeo BC, and networking with organizations to enlist participation and support for OSGeo
• Committing organizational support to operate OSGeo BC (e.g. facilities, sponsorships, etc…)

Outreach Committee

• Creating and managing OSGeo BC official website, including : regular updates, meeting announcements, workshops and training, FAQ, mailing lists and wiki
• Managing OSGeo BC Directory List for consulting, solutions delivery, managed services, software development, and technical support and job opportunities
• Increasing awareness about open source GIS solutions and promoting adoption in education, research, industry, government, and non-profit organizations through local technical supports.
• Encouraging local technical contributions to OSGeo projects

Technical Committee

• Software processes
• Promotional demo development
• Software Packaging and Customization for local and regional needs
• Training, Support and Development of e-Learning Contents in local languages
• Supporting open standards and open access to geospatial data

OBJECTIVES

Semi-Annual Meetings:

• Presentations (1 hour)
• Social Gathering (1 hour)
• Committee work (1 hour)

Collaborative Project:

• OSGeo BC Promotional demo development
• OSGeo Requirements gathering
• OSGeo/OGC Requirements gathering
• OSGeo Usability evaluation

Regional Events:

• Conference participation
• Invited speaking engagements
• Demonstration activities

Communication:

• Mailing Lists
• Wiki Development
• Quarterly or Semi Annual-Meetings (TBD)
• Vancouver/Victoria rotations with video conferencing

LEGAL STATUS

• None

INITIAL MEMBERSHIP

in alphabetical order by last name

• Jason Birch, City of Nanaimo
• Max Bottoni, Sierra Systems
• Clare Caldicott, Sierra Systems
• Yao Cui, BC Government
• Martin Davis, Refractions Research
• Justin Deoliveira, The Open Planning Project
• Scott Emmons, GeoBorealis
• Rob Frame, Sierra Systems
• Daniel Hirner, BC Electoral Boundaries Commission
• Kevin Ji, Sierra Systems
• Martin Kyle, Sierra Systems
• Brian Low, Natural Resources Canada (National Forest Information System)
• Dean C. Mikkelsen, Terra ETL Ltd.
• Tyler Mitchell, OSGeo
• Dave Patton, CIS
• Paul Ramsey, Refractions Research
• Ken Sam, BGC Engineering
• Ronnie Wahi, Pacific Alliance Technologies
• Chris Webber, Pacific Alliance Technologies
• Ken Johansson, District of North Saanich

INITIAL MEETING

Thursday November 15, 2007; 11:00 – 2:00 PM

• 1177 West Hastings, Suite 2500; Vancouver BC
• 737 Courtney Street, Victoria BC

(video conferencing between sites)

INITIAL AGENDA

• Presentations (1 hour)
  • OSGeo BC Business (10 min):
  • Application Area (20 min): TBD
  • Technical Area (20 min): TBD

• Lunch (1 hour) - RSVP (state Vancouver or Victoria) to MartinKyle (at) SierraSystems d0t c0m

• Committee Work (50 min)
  • Liaison Track, Outreach Track, Technical Track

• Committee Reports (10 min)