Minutes of the NZOSS AGM

30 April 2006

The meeting commenced at 14:05.

Present:

Phone/IRC:

Peter Harrison

Scott Newton

Andrew Turner

Carl Klitscher

Ian Beardslee

Ewen McNeill

Matt Brown

Michael Knox

Craig Box

David Hallett

Apologies:

Mark Foster (Wellington)

Daniel Reurich (Wellington)

President's Welcome and Report:

Peter Harrison presented a report outlining the achievements of the Society over the past 18 months.

Treasurers Report and Statement of Accounts:

Peter Harrison presented a report on the current financial position and the statement of accounts. Not a great deal of activity throughout the year with mailing and legal costs being the main expense.

Matt Brown queried the legal costs as they seemed quite low. Peter confirmed that the costs comprised mainly of filing fees only as the majority of the work was performed voluntarily.

Moved – That the 2004/2005 Financial Statement be accepted.

Prop – Carl Klitscher

Sec – Ewen McNeill

Carried

Election of Officers:

The following current Council members indicated they were prepared to stand for Council again:

• Peter Harrison (President)

• Carl Klitscher (Secretary)

• Zane Gilmore (Christchurch Regional Officer)

• Daniel Reurich

• Andrew Turner

• Matthew Cruickshank (Government Officer)

The following members were nominated for Council during the nomination period:

• Matt Brown

• Craig Box

• Brent Wood

Given that there may be up to 11 council member further nominations were called for. None were forthcoming.

Moved – That nominations be closed.

Prop – Carl Klitscher

Sec – Ewen McNeill

Carried

Congratulations were expressed for the new Council members.

Moved – That Matt Brown be designated Vice President.

Prop – Craig Box

Sec – Carl Klitscher

Carried

Some discussion around the requirement for a Treasurer occurred. This is not seen as an onerous task however it does need some focus. Peter has been performing this function to date. Given the apparent inability of Internet Banking in general to cope with the dual signatory requirements that the NZOSS account has it would be useful to have geographic colocation for any signatories. Matt Brown indicated that he would be prepared to act as Treasurer.

Council resolved to appoint Matt Brown as Treasurer.

Matt and Peter will reinvestigate the option of Internet Banking capability bearing in mind the signatory requirements of the Society and report to Council.

General Business:

Minutes of last AGM

Moved – That the minutes of the last AGM be accepted.

Prop – Carl Klitscher

Sec – Peter Harrison

Carried

NZOSS Domain registration renewal

This is due in May. Peter to arrange for the renewal for a period of at least two years.

Linux trademark in New Zealand and NZOSS logo protection

Carl Klitscher to investigate and report to Council on the protection of the Linux trademark in New Zealand and the need or otherwise to protect the NZOSS logo.

Membership criteria

There is currently no 'free' or non-fee paying membership category for the NZOSS that doesn't involve significant or long term contributions the Open Source. It is recognised that higher membership numbers may result in greater leverage in some areas of interest however in some cases it is known that the fee structure we currently operate does exclude some people. It was noted that Linux Australia have a non-fee paying membership option however they also have a significant income stream from their conference underwriting functions. There was general acceptance that in order to pursue some of the NZOSS objectives we needed to have some income and therefore membership fees needed to be charged. The fee structure we currently have was discussed and was considered acceptable. In addition, if a non-fee paying option were to be introduced then it was accepted that there would be no voting rights associated with that option. This is designed to encourage commitment the the objectives of the NZOSS.

Moved - That steps be taken to create a new membership category, that of "associate member", no fees and no voting rights.

Prop – Matt Brown

Sec – Carl Klitscher

Carried

It was also noted that there was no mechanism dealing with donations to NZOSS.

Website Progress Update

Carl Klitscher outlined progress made on the NZOSS website. In particular a module has been identified that can be incorporated into the site to assist with the collection of membership fees and donations. This module may also be used to generate mailing lists for information packs etc. This module needs to be integrated correctly and Michael Knox will be performing this task once testing has been completed.

Regional Coordinators.

A question was asked on the function of the regional coordinators. They were designed to act as focal points for any localised NZOSS activities but while it is likely that the people concerned are also local LUG members they aren't necessarily LUG representatives. It was agreed that there was a requirement for some form of cohesion between NZOSS and the various LUGs and other interested parties (PERLmongers, BSD grousp etc.)

Resolved that Craig Box be tasked with the role of LUG coordinator (where LUG covers other Free/Open source groups).

Craig will consider options and report to Council.

Software Freedom Day.

This is scheduled for Saturday 16^th September 2006. Carl Klitscher to coordinate this years event.

Council Meetings

Peter Harrison expressed a desire the see these becoming a bit more regular than they had on the past. The IRC facility was agreed to be the best option for this. Council were asked to consider the most appropriate times for this.

Wellington Meetings.

Ewen McNeil asked if it were possible to reinstate the monthly Wellington Lunchtime meetings as well. Carl Klitscher to organise and notify these.

Meeting closed at 15:34.