[EuroPython] EP 2004 decision rather quickly?

[Martijn Faassen]

Nicolas Chauvat wrote:
> Since our belgian friends spent a lot of time organizing the first two events,

I spent a lot of time organizing the first two events too. So did you for
that matter. That doesn't mean we can just happily announce whatever we like
to the world about the next conference. I'm grateful and happy about all
the spent effort, but this is not the way to do it.

> I have no problem with them having the final word on the "we keep or we let go"
> topic.

I do.

> Having EP'04 in Charleroi for the last time 

Last time? Oh, in '04 they'll just announce it'll be there again in '05 a week 
after the conference ends, not a problem. I don't have this in writing
I think, but I do recall comments like 'the last time' about *this* year's
conference as well.

> will also give us another
> year to get a more formal organization in place,

Why can't we get a more formal organization in place
now? Do you think you will have the time to organize this in 2004 but
not this year? Who will be doing this? I think this conference is in bad
need for a more formal organization *right now* actually, as this kind of
unilateral decision making sucks.

> like a europython association
> or something. This would be the place where to offer new locations and have
> a vote take place to make a decision in a democratic way, rather than
> install a python mafia that decides who does what.

If we can't be democratic right now we can at least be more open about the
decision making process! Where the conference will be organized depends in
a large measure on who is willing to do the local organization, fine.
I appreciate all the efforts of local organization that were done at
Charleroi. If they are offering to organize the conference in Charleroi
next year, that is a wonderful offer. I for one am more in favor of
having the conference move around if possible, and I understood at the
conference at least two other options were under consideration; Gothenburg
and London. Somehow these options must've been silently dropped at
some point very recently?

> I know that the PSU would
> destroy such a mafia in no time, but since the PSU does not exist.

I don't care about bringing humor into this matter right now, sorry. Maybe
later.

> An idea could be that after next year, the people willing to host the
> conference will candidate as a board. Then every person that attended
> europython before will get one vote. The board that is elected gets to
> take care of the association and host the conference the following year.

I think we shouldn't wait until next year. A more transparent decision
making process is extremely obviously needed *right now*.

Regards,

Martijn