We're hosting a users-and-developers conference and meetup in central London for next month. Organisation is nearly complete: we have booked the venue, made eating arrangements. The schedule still needs to be finalised but on last poll, we have a decent number of developers who are willing to run sessions, and we have some interest from a couple of external organisations. Really the only thing we need now is funding. Assuming we can get this, then we're all set. The meeting is scheduled for July 8th, so quick action on this is appreciated. We are not planning to charge for entrance or registration, but I would be happy to collect donations for the Gentoo foundation or something like that.
Created attachment 88766 [details] funding request
I support the idea, but would rather see some sort of shared funding arrangement. Like, asking attendees to pitch in 2-3 pounds each or something, with the goal being that half the funds come from the foundation and half comes from the attendees. ~$15/head just seems a little high.
I was hoping to avoid that, unless we can actually provide people with something for their money (e.g. lunch). I guess we could do it anyway, but it complicates things somewhat: we don't know how many people are turning up, etc.
Here's some info from how the Gentoo US conference was set up: "Where I need to involve the Foundation is this: We will charge a small registration fee (probably $10, but the exact figure isn't set yet) to avoid everyone rushing the registration and filling seats without a real commitment. Also, Netoptex has offered to split the cost of conference shirts, so the registration will cover a t-shirt." (Netoptex gave us lunch and some of their building space for a location as well, for 30 people.) The rationale for a small fee is solid.
Right, and if I had a load of t-shirts to give away I'd be much happier about charging people. We have also been unsuccessful in finding somewhere willing to host the event for free, yet the place we have found is specifically for the voluntary sector and is *so* much cheaper than anywhere else you will find. It is just a little more than half of the daily-rate figure that I mentioned in the original email to trustees back in march, which we felt was cheap, and at that time we were even talking about a 2 day event. Unlike my experience of the US, companies in the UK are generally unaware of Linux, probably because our government has appeared so opposed to it in the past. It is quite popular in universities but that apparently doesn't seem to help our case. If you aren't willing to fund the whole thing then I'm not in a position to dispute that, I'd be grateful for whatever is provided. Maybe we can reach some sort of compromise, such as that I am responsible for raising
Right, and if I had a load of t-shirts to give away I'd be much happier about charging people. We have also been unsuccessful in finding somewhere willing to host the event for free, yet the place we have found is specifically for the voluntary sector and is *so* much cheaper than anywhere else you will find. It is just a little more than half of the daily-rate figure that I mentioned in the original email to trustees back in march, which we felt was cheap, and at that time we were even talking about a 2 day event. Unlike my experience of the US, companies in the UK are generally unaware of Linux, probably because our government has appeared so opposed to it in the past. It is quite popular in universities but that apparently doesn't seem to help our case. If you aren't willing to fund the whole thing then I'm not in a position to dispute that, I'd be grateful for whatever is provided. Maybe we can reach some sort of compromise, such as that I am responsible for raising £100 of it from somewhere and the foundation pays the rest? (worst case is that I have to pay some of that myself, my overdraft certainly isn't keen on that, but maybe this is a risk that needs to be taken due to late organisation)
Sorry if I came across a little ungrateful above. I am prepared and happy to find other sources of funding if necessary, and will charge on the door as a final resort. The biggest issue on my mind is that the event is coming up very soon. If there's anything I can do to help speed up the decision making process (no matter how small or large), please let me know. If I do need to seek other sources of funding, it would be beneficial to know sooner rather than later. Thanks!
I vote we at least partially fund this thing and get it moving already. Who's with me?
I agree with Kurt's reasoning and with Corey's from the US conference. If you charge attendees 2-3 pounds, I'm willing to have the foundation foot the rest (should be around $10/person).
Ok, I'm happy with the reasoning, but we do need to decide on an exact figure at some point: we need this funding before the event (actually we have to pay on the day), and the number of people attending is not clear beforehand. How about something like this: we estimate attendance as 35, assume we'll charge them at
Ok, I'm happy with the reasoning, but we do need to decide on an exact figure at some point: we need this funding before the event (actually we have to pay on the day), and the number of people attending is not clear beforehand. How about something like this: we estimate attendance as 35, assume we'll charge them at £3 per head, totals £105. You then leave me to raise that £105 however I can (will probably end up charging on the door unless other sponsorship appears), and the foundation pay the remainder (£165.25) (figures are just examples, I'm happy to consider different ones instead) Thanks!
wfm
Created attachment 89178 [details] funding request New funding request, updated the requested amount to
Created attachment 89178 [details] funding request New funding request, updated the requested amount to £165.25 Donnie, Seemant: I'll request to whoever is counting the votes that your previous comments signify acceptance of this amount. If that's not true, please state your objections. I understand we need 6 votes? 3 more...
Aye.
aye here too. events are good, good PR, good for the developer social contact and definitely fun for people to attend :)
I'm all for Gentoo on events and in the public space.
We seem to have a consensus here, thanks! They normally invoice on the day, but I have requested a written statement of the costs. When I receive this, I'll send it on to Grant so that we can go ahead with the funding.
Funds sent and received
FYI we raised a decent amount of money on the day, I have just donated it back to you:
FYI we raised a decent amount of money on the day, I have just donated it back to you: £88.56
Thanks, Daniel! I saw the donation come in.
Added to expenses tracking: expenses/20060609_gentoo_uk_event.txt
