[EuroPython] Comments on discussion and vote proposal

Jacob Hallén jacob at strakt.com
Fri Aug 8 07:27:35 EDT 2003


I have just caught up with the discussion on the list, and I think the 
discussion has been very constructive. In summary, I would say that
almost everyone have the same goals, while the means of reaching them 
vary widely. 

I think it is obvious that we need to have some formal body that signs the 
contracts. Otherwise we are actually risking the economy of the individual 
volunteers who are arranging the conference, or the finances of the companies 
that back them. Really bad things can happen. With a non-profit organisation, 
your liability is limited to what the organisation owns.

In the choice between building a new non-profit organisation, or making a SIG 
under the PBF, there are arguments for and against each alternative. The one 
thing that speaks for the PBF is that all the formal work has already been 
done. Against is the fact that the PBF needs to excert some fiscal control 
over EPC, in order to keep the risk to the society and any other assets the 
society has to a minimum. A new organisation would be able to build its own 
rules but would also have to build its own infrastructure, with board, 
general assembly, bank accounts, accounting, auditing etc.

Personally, I think the two alternatives balance in attractiveness and I'm 
not advocating either one.

Speaking as the chairman of the PBF, I would welcome having the EPC as a SIG. 
While it would significantly increase the financial risk of the PBF, it would 
at the same time raise the profile of the PBF.

Now for something completely different! How to resolve the current issues of 
who gets to vote on A) which organisation form we should have and B) where 
the next EPC is to be held.

I propose that the 9 (?) track chairmen from last EPC get to vote and that 
they make the decision by simple majority. My rationale for this is that they 
are a clearly identifiable group, they are not directly linked to either of 
the proposed sites and they are the people who are most likely to make the 
better choice for the EPC. I know this excludes some people who have worked 
very hard for the EPC and who deserve a say. I'm asking all these people to 
trust the track chairmen to make the right choice for them.

Jacob



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