[Linux-aus] Grant Request: Travel grants for PyCon US (Montréal, April 2014)

[Tim Ansell]

I'd like to strongly support this grant request. PyCon US is a major gathering
in the Python community and a large number of the core Python developers,
contributors and community members attend. (I believe it is the largest
such gathering of Python programmers anywhere in the world?) It would
definitely be great to have a strong Australian contingent for all the reasons
that Chris listed and many more.

I also believe this would help cement the idea that Linux Australia does
represents more than just Linux and is supporting the whole Open Source
community.

Tim


On 7 October 2013 09:23, Chris Neugebauer <chrisjrn at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Council & LA Membership,
>
> Date: 7 October 2013
>
> Project Name: PyCon US Financial Aid program/sponsorship
>
> Aim of Project: To increase the number of Australian/New Zealander
> delegates who can be funded to attend PyCon US in Montréal [0], April
> 2014.
>
> Person Responsible for Request: Christopher Neugebauer
>
> Request:
>
> I request that Linux Australia, on behalf of the PyCon Australia 2013
> team, make a sponsorship contribution to PyCon US, equivalent to a
> PyCon US Startup/Small Business Gold Sponsorship ($3,500 USD) [1].
>
> PyCon US is the largest community Python conference in the world, and
> expects to attract around 2,000 delegates from around the world.
>
> PyCon US runs a generous financial aid scheme [2] to enable delegates
> to attend PyCon, regardless of whether they are financially able to do
> so. This includes covering some of the costs of travel, accommodation
> and registration. PyCon Australia ran a similar scheme in 2013 with
> great success.
>
> There are many Australian and New Zealander Python community members
> who would benefit from attending PyCon US; however, as the conference
> is half-way around the world, the costs of air travel alone are
> significantly higher than they were in 2012 and 2013. This limits the
> number of people from our region who can attend PyCon.
>
> I propose that Linux Australia contributes through the PyCon Financial
> aid programme for two reasons:
>
> 1) Potential applicants would only need to apply once for funding.
> 2) PyCon Australia & Linux Australia would be recognised as sponsors
> of the conference, including significant publicity [1] around the time
> of the PyCon Australia 2014 CFP.
>
> I have confirmed that a contribution made by LA would be eligible for
> the Small Business/Startup sponsorship rates in correspondence with
> the PyCon US director of sponsorship. I have also confirmed that a
> sponsorship contribution made by LA would be earmarked towards our
> goal of increasing the available financial aid funds for Australian
> and New Zealander delegates.
>
> Making such a contribution would allow us to confidently market the
> financial aid program to deserving members of the local Python
> community, in the knowledge that there's a good chance that the aid
> program can afford it.
>
> The publicity benefit for PyCon Australia arising from a strong
> Australian contingent is also substantial. As a result of attending
> PyCon US 2013 via the financial assistance program, we substantially
> increased the number of presentation proposals from international
> speakers, as well as the generation of multiple sponsor leads.
> Increasing the Australian contingent at PyCon US should increase this
> valuable exposure.
>
> I request also that the sponsorship branding on the PyCon US website
> and sponsor materials be for PyCon Australia, and not Linux Australia
> generally. This is because PyCon Australia is a more recognisable
> entity in the worldwide Python community, and is likely to benefit
> directly from exposure as a sponsor. Linux Australia would be
> mentioned in our sponsor blurb on the PyCon website, as well as on the
> PyCon Australia website, which would be linked from various points on
> the PyCon US website.
>
> Finally, I note that the amount requested exceeds the amount that the
> council usually allocates to grants. I request you consider the above
> amount, firstly because it approaches the amount granted to PyCon
> Australia 2013 by the Python Software Foundation (PyCon US's parent
> organisation); and secondly because the grant will reach multiple
> deserving Python community members.
>
> I also note that PyCon Australia 2013 made a return far exceeding the
> amount requested in this grant.
>
> I am happy to answer any questions about the nature of this grant
> request, as well as any questions about PyCon Australia and PyCon US.
>
> Thanks for your consideration,
>
> --Chris
>
> (Disclosure: I am an elected member of the Python Software Foundation,
> the parent organisation of PyCon US; I have applied for a
> travel/registration grant through the PyCon US financial aid
> programme)
>
> [0] Yes, PyCon US is in Canada in 2014. I know.
> [1] https://us.pycon.org/2014/sponsors/prospectus/
> [2] https://us.pycon.org/2014/assistance/
>
> --
> --Christopher Neugebauer
>
> Jabber: chrisjrn at gmail.com -- IRC: chrisjrn on irc.freenode.net --
> AIM: chrisjrn157 -- MSN: chris at neugebauer.id.au -- WWW:
> http://chris.neugebauer.id.au -- Twitter/Identi.ca: @chrisjrn
>
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