[Osia-members] OSIA November update

[Jack Burton]

Evening, all.

The last month has been a busy one for OSIA, and the coming months are
likely to see a further increase in activity.

** Thanyou to our sponsors **

The beginning of a new term seems like a good opportunity to thank our
continuing sponsors: Open Source Law, Redback Conferencing and iSeek
Communications. Their generosity helps to ensure that OSIA continues to
function effectively.

This month, we also thank the OSDC2015 organisers -- for once again
providing the venue for our 2015 AGM -- and the Australian Computer
Society (Tasmania Branch) for generously donating a venue for our
November board meeting.

** OSDC 2015 **

A number of OSIA members and their staff attended OSDC 2015 in Hobart
recently, and yet again the organisers put on a very high quality,
thoroughly enjoyable conference. OSIA is pleased to have sponsored the
lanyards & badges for the 2015 conference, as well as delegate drinks at
the conference dinner in picturesque Huonville.

** 2015 AGM **

The AGM was held in Sandy Bay, Tas. on 29 Oct (at the close of OSDC).
Thankyou to all those members who attended. The business of the AGM was
once again transacted in short order, after which those assembled
adjourned to the OSDC after-party where a good evening was had by all.
The new Board met for the first time in Hobart the following day.

Draft minutes of the AGM will be distributed on this list next month.

** New director **

Andrew Cutler (Ad Libre, NSW) was elected as a director of OSIA at
the AGM, alongside six continuing directors.

The board congratulates Andrew on his new role at OSIA.

** Casual vacancy on 2015/16 board **

In the lead up to the AGM, seven nominations were received for eight
directorships. Accordingly, the board enters the 2015/16 term with a
casual vacancy.

The board will consider, at its meeting in Sydney next week, whether or
not (and if so with whom) to fill the casual vacancy.

Any member who has the time, capability and desire to serve on the
2015/16 board is welcome to contact me off-list to express his or her
interest in the role (no later than close of business on Wed 25 Nov
please), which will be taken into consideration if the board decides to
fill the casual vacancy.

** New board structure **

The board has returned to a portfolio structure this year, with a much
heavier emphasis on public policy, in line with our renewed mission to
"amplify the voice of the Australian open source software industry".

For a full list of the board, with portfolios and contact details, see:
http://www.osia.com.au/drupal7/corporate-documents/osia-board-members

** Trans Pacific Partnership **

As many of you may be aware, the official text of the TPP was released a
couple of weeks ago and is now available here:
http://dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/tpp/official-documents/Pages/official-documents.aspx

It is exceedingly long (even in comparison to many other trade
treaties) and the OSIA TPP Committee is still working through the text.
Amongst other initiatives regarding TPP, OSIA will publish a series of
papers as our analysis progresses and members can expect to see the
first of these released in December.

Initial impressions suggest that most of the concerns we raised about
earlier leaked negotiating drafts apply also to the official released
text.

There is a lot of work still to be done on this front and we only have
limited resources.

Any OSIA members with a keen interest in saving Australia from TPP and
the time & capacity to help us achieve that end are urged to volunteer
to join the TPP Committee at this crucial point in time -- to do so,
please contact me off-list.

** Board meetings **

The board met in Hobart on 30 Oct and will next meet in Sydney on 26
Nov.

As always, members are encouraged to bring any pertinent matters (and
indeed your views on them) to the attention of the Board, either on
this list or by contacting any of us directly.


Regards,


Jack Burton
<jack at saosce.com.au>