[Linux-aus] And now for something completely different

[Pia Smith]

Hi Bret, and everyone,

On Tue, 2003-02-04 at 17:18, Bret Busby wrote:
> On Tue, 4 Feb 2003, David Lloyd wrote:

> However.... there is once again the issue, as raised regarding the 
> issuing of LA membership at this conference; should it be only available 
> for those who are able to travel to a conference, or, who are otherwise 
> available to travel interstate at will?
> 
> This, I think is the issue; making the certification available in each 
> state, so that the cost of the certification is not increased by travel 
> costs and inconvenience.
> 
> Thus, I suggest that the Linux certification should be made available in 
> at least each state capital.
<snip>

When we go to the trouble of organising member discounts for
certification, rest assured that the offer will be extended to all
members :)

It would however be fun to have a certification event at the next
conference, locals, members and attendees could attend, good publicity
for the certifications (and therefore raising the profile of Linux
certification in Australia, something that would benefit us all).

There is a full year before the next conference Bret, please give us a
little time to prove ourselves before you start assuming we are a group
interested only in conference attendees :) I personally would like to
organise a national certification day at some point during the year,
when all around the country we get heaps of people certified at reduced
prices to them. This completely depends on what we can organise but this
issue has already been thought of, and will be discussed.

Also with relation to:

> I suggest to Pia, as the organisation president, and, to the other 
> members of the committee, whatever we may think of their degree of 
> representation, and whatever they may think of the interests of the 
> different regions in Australia, that this would be a good topic to
raise 
> at the upcoming committee meeting, apart from any resultant discussion
> on this list.

This is certainly on the agenda for our first meeting.

I do want to suggest to people that regional representation of the LUGs,
while important can be tricky to implement. What if there are several
mini Linux communities in one state (as is the case usually) and the
regional rep from that state is not someone that all the LUGs/SIGs want
to have represent them? And what about people who aren't involved in the
LUGs but are involved in the Linux Community elsewhere? Do they get no
chance on the committee? How big can a committee get before it becomes
unproductive? These are some reasons an Advisory Board may be more
useful and productive, as we are not restricting ourselves to one rep
from one state. The Advisory Board could have their own mailing list,
hold their own meetings, each be responsible for conveying info to their
LUG/SIG and thus we have some consolidation of the many groups. Any
person on behalf of a LUG/SIG etc could put their hand up and get on the
Advisory Board to make sure their community has a voice. 

I'd like to hope that there is enough faith in the community that the
current LA committee really does have the best interests of the
community in mind, I know that I do, and I have a lot of faith in our
committee. If you are truly in doubt, please give us a chance to prove
ourselves, and through constructive and positive feedback you can help
us do a good job.

Thanks all
Pia