Governance New Thread!

[Melissa Draper]

On Tue, 2010-03-09 at 08:51 +1000, Andrew Gaydon wrote:
> Melissa,
> 
> We can get Public Liability Insurance through Linux Australia !!!
> How does that work ?   How are we affiliated with them?

Linux Australia can organise to extend their PLI to events that they
sponsor. 

>From the front page of linux.org.au: "Supporting Linux User Groups:
Linux Australia takes out Public Liability Insurance on behalf of User
Groups around Australia. LUGs are eligible to request cover for events
such as install fests, expo stands and Software Freedom Day."

> This is an example of valuable information that could be a topic for
> an Ubuntu-au council meeting.  (if there was one to be created)

Not really. Meeting items really should not be lessons about the local
F/LOSS ecosystem.

> I agree that going down an incorporated association is a hard path and
> should be avoided. 
> (however it does preclude us from carrying out certain activities,
> like fundraising but this could be overcome buy utilising existing
> LUGS that have that capacity) 

It doesn't stop us gathering funds. Afaik, all it precludes us from
doing is holding a bank account under the group name and granting tax
receipts. IANAL, etc.

> Cheers.
> 
> Andrew.
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 5:13 PM, Melissa Draper <melissa at meldraweb.com>
> wrote:
>         On Mon, 2010-03-08 at 17:45 +1100, Norm, VK3XCI wrote:
>         > Folks,
>         >
>         > I've had a fair bit to do with "committees" over a vast
>         range of involvements,
>         > from Radio Clubs to rural Progress Associations and Distance
>         Education parent
>         > Committees. All have a couple of things in common. Dissent
>         (is that the word you
>         > were looking for Scott?) and egos. From an almost outsider
>         (Lurker!) looking in
>         > and still involved in radio club committee, I'll make a few
>         observations.
>         >
>         > ...The best person for the job usually gravitates
>         there(eventually)
>         > ...Extraneous positions are often introduced to sooth
>         bruised egos.
>         > ...In an "Inc. Assoc." a degree of formality is required to
>         satisfy the law.
>         > ...Excessive formality kills organisations!
>         > ...I'm unsure of Ubuntu-au's formal standing; how much
>         "committee" do we need?
>         
>         
>         In regards to legal formality... ugh. I really don't want us
>         to go
>         there. I really really don't. There's various LUGs around the
>         country
>         (at least 2 capital LUGs I'm aware of) who are currently
>         looking to one
>         day getting the heck out of the paperwork overhead by
>         dissolving the
>         legal orgs.
>         
>         > Which begs a few questions
>         > ...What is the LoCo's mission? What are we trying to
>         achieve?
>         > ...What is the relationship with the "Mother Company"?
>         > ...How is it all funded?
>         > ...What are the legal obligations.
>         
>         
>         The team is a Local Community Team just like any other across
>         the world.
>         In essence - a promotional fanclub.
>         
>         We're the grunt to represent the ubuntu project at expos and
>         stuff, but
>         we do /all/ the organising. The relationship with the "mother
>         company"
>         is that if we ask nice enough and not too often, they'll send
>         us a stack
>         of CDs and brochures for us to hand out for them. In return,
>         they host
>         our website stuff. This of course is a simplified explanation
>         of the
>         arrangement and would change (we'd get fewer cds, no web
>         hosting) if we
>         ceased to be an approved team.
>         
>         Basically, we have no funding outside what folks are willing
>         to pool
>         from their own resources, and PLI we can get through Linux
>         Australia if
>         needed. This is also why we really don't have legal
>         obligations either.
>         Which is good. Legal obligations are a pain for a small
>         volunteer
>         organisation.
>         
>         
>         --
>         Melissa Draper
>         
>         w: http://meldraweb.com & http://geekosophical.net
>         p: +61 4 0472 2736
>         
>         
>         
>         --
>         ubuntu-au mailing list
>         ubuntu-au at lists.ubuntu.com
>         https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
>         
> 


-- 
Melissa Draper

w: http://meldraweb.com & http://geekosophical.net
p: +61 4 0472 2736