[Linux-aus] [Grant Application] Kids Tracks at BuzzConf

Fri Sep 22 10:37:22 AEST 2017

Taking into consideration all the new info, I support this grant, for
the 5K. 

On 21/09/2017 19:34, Ben Dechrai via linux-aus wrote:

> Hi Kathy,
> 
> Thanks for the info about Fruitbowl. They did offer to provide assistance with reaching new potential sponsors, and I thought LA were on the "do-not-call" list we'd provided them. Please accept my apologies for the failure in this instance. Given your other feedback, perhaps I need to better inform them of our promotion and advocacy of open source too :)
> 
> I'd still be very grateful for any consideration in regards to the request I submitted, relating to the funding of hardware for two of the kids tracks, both of which are completely based on open source technologies.
> 
> Cheers,
> Ben
> 
> On 21/09/17 16:32, Linux Australia President wrote: 
> 
> Thanks for the additional information Ben. 
> 
> We received a sponsorship prospectus from Fruit Bowl productions on behalf of Buzzconf which we politely declined on 17th August. 
> 
> I'll send you the email trail, 
> 
> Best, 
> Kathy 
> On 21/09/17 16:02, Ben Dechrai wrote: Thanks Kathy, and LA members, for considering this request.
> 
> On the topic of open source and BuzzConf, I'd argue that less than 10% of our content touches on proprietary technologies.
> 
> Deakin University's talk will no doubt cover encumbered technology, as university product so often is; and AusPost's talk on emerging technologies will touch on products such as Google Home; but all presentations are theoretical, with aspirations and predictions being the take-aways, which apply equally to all technologists, regardless of philosophy.
> 
> The kids workshops use Arduinos, Makey Makeys, MIT's Scratch game development project, paper, conductive ink, and so on. One of the workshops uses Minecraft.
> 
> The main workshops use Blender3D, Arduinos, Python and packages. The Deep Learning workshop uses exclusively FLOSS tools. The workshops on Augmented and Virtual Reality use proprietary hardware (such as the HoloLens and HTC Vibe), but based on development in open source technologies. Some applications might connect to cloud services, which might be proprietary.
> 
> I'm also a bit confused about the comment on the declined sponsorship request earlier this month. Neither Rick nor I have ever formally requested funding from LA. In early 2016, I was encouraged to investigate the possibility, and I spoke with Hugh Blemings by email about that, but the matter died off at some point, and I didn't pursue it. If someone else is applying for funding in BuzzConf's name, I'd love to know more. If my memory is failing, I'd like to know that too :)
> 
> Cheers,
> Ben
> 
> On 21/09/17 14:29, Linux Australia President wrote: 
> 
> This is a courtesy note to acknowledge receipt of this Grant application. Community feedback is welcomed on this request up to 2nd October, and this Grant Request will be considered at Council meeting 12th October. 
> 
> The 2017 Grants program ends on 30 September, and the funds allocated here are all spent. However, what I'd like to recommend is that we simply follow the established process for Grants to consider this request, until we formally open the 2018 Grants program. 
> 
> The 2018 Grants program has $AUD 35k allocated, so the $1000 amount request is 1/35th of this. The larger amount requested as an event partner - $5000 - is 1/7th of our total Grant and sponsorship pool for 2017/2018. 
> 
> For transparency, Linux Australia declined a sponsorship request for BuzzConf earlier this month given that the conference covers primarily proprietary, not open, technologies. 
> 
> Kind regards, 
> 
> Kathy Reid 
> On 18/09/17 20:19, Ben Dechrai via linux-aus wrote: Dear LA council and members,
> 
> You may have heard about BuzzConf [1]. It's an annual technology festival that's about to see its third event run from Dec 1st to 3rd. Take liberal portions of tech conference, mix in a family friendly atmosphere, a strong focus on diversity, and the party atmosphere of a music festival, and you're on the right track.
> 
> This year, we've had a fantastic number of submissions to the kids track [2], and have enough to run two tracks for them! Some of them require the supply of hardware, in particular:
> 
> NIGHTMARE LIGHT
> 
> In this workshop we will help you design, build and program a nightmare-light. We'll have sensors available for those who want to detect ambient light for an extra challenge. The workshop is geared towards children but those young-at-heart are welcome to join too! Younger children can participate too if they have an overseeing parent to help them.
> 
> Participation is $30 per person to cover hardware costs. Each person will get a kit with:
> 
> 1 x Arduino (will need a USB cable for programming)
> 1 x Photo resistor
> 1 x LED light pack
> 1 x Battery
> 1 x Set of wires (for electrical connection) 
> Children attend BuzzConf for free and get their own educational track, because we want to make events like these as accessible as possible to families, especially single-parent families, who often can't get to conferences.
> 
> In this spirit, we'd love to cover all workshop costs for children too. We currently have 37 child tickets sold, with 13 more available. With an anticipated 20-30 children making a nightmare light, the workshop organiser will be supplying $600 - $900 worth of hardware.
> 
> CoderDojo Carlton are also running a number of workshops and, while they will be bringing hardware from their pool, they anticipate incurring costs of around $65 for the components that kids will be taking away (conductive tape, and LEDs).
> 
> We are seeking funding to cover the cost to the organisers of running the children's workshops, estimated at no more than $1,000. Would LA be amenable to covering this cost? After the event, we would provide a detailed itinerary and costs of hardware that was given to the kids (we wouldn't expect workshop organisers to be reimbursed for hardware that they don't give away), so that LA's contribution is only for those costs. It may, in this scenario, be easier for this request to be that the organisers are paid directly by LA, and that we are seeking funding on their behalf.
> 
> In acknowledgement of this support, we would including LA's logo on our website as a Festival Sponsor (a $1,000 value in our sponsor doc).
> 
> On the off-chance that LA would consider a larger investment, in order to run the two tracks for children, we are needing to secure additional facilities, such as tables, tents, power, and projection facilities. If LA were to consider a $5,000 investment and become a Festival Partner, we would prioritise these funds to ensure the children's workshop cost outlined above are covered first and foremost. The remainder would help us with the increased costs of additional facilities. The Festival Partner support level also includes two festival tickets, which LA could use as they wish. (You might want to send some representatives of LA, or give them away to the community. We could help promote any activity around making these available to others.)
> 
> Many thanks in advance for your consideration. I welcome any questions for clarification.
> 
> Ben Dechrai
> Co-founder, BuzzConf Technology Festival

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Noel Butler 

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Links:
------
[1] https://buzzconf.io/
[2] https://buzzconf.io/kids-track/
[3] http://www.adobe.com/
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenDocument
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