Re: LUG: Server, funds, purpose - Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:41:57 -0500

Subject : Re: LUG: Server, funds, purpose

From : Yanglei Zhao <z12y12l12@gmail.[redacted]>

Date : Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:41:57 -0500

Hi all,

How to spend the money is really important, I agree that it have to
meet the purpose of this whole group. I am sort of new to the group,
but why I join this mailing list and go to meetings with you guys are
just because the common interest in Linux, otherwise I'll not be
there. I think that's why this group is called Linux User Group.

So I think the funds should be spent according to these points:
1) For Linux users/developers: it should support the whole linux
community (maybe mainly who is in this LUG) on campus, spend this
money on what everybody really needs. (Example: Servers, website..)

2) For prospective linux users: Linux is a great OS and we should let
everybody at least know it. So the funds should be spent on this
purpose when needed. (Example: Free food on introductory lectures or
meetings designated for new users/possible users).

Any comments?

Stu Zhao

On 1/20/10, Jack Neely <jjneely@ncsu.[redacted]> wrote:
> On Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 11:34:16PM -0500, Edward Anderson wrote:
>> Tonight at dinner, we had a great discussion regarding our plans for a
>> server and LUG funds that are being recovered. Discussing where our
>> funds should be spent led to a discussion of what our purpose as a LUG
>> is. My goal in this email is to summarize what was said tonight and
>> suggest a course of action to follow.
>>
>> We have over $1000 in escheated funds that are currently being
>> recovered from the NC Dept State Treasury. These funds were untouched
>> for over 5 years, under the philosophy that we shouldn't spend when we
>> have no source of income. However, after having our funds escheated
>> due to account inactivity, we realized that saving the money was doing
>> the club no good. We want to use the funds we have to benefit the
>> group.
>>
>> Spending money to benefit the group begs the question of what our
>> group's purpose is. Our money should go toward whatever our purposes
>> are. It has been suggested that the LUG exists for these purposes:
>> 1. Serve as a social group for those with similar interests
>> 2. Serve as a resource for existing Linux users at NC State
>> 3. Introduce Linux to users of other operating systems and make converts
>> of them
>>
>> I would argue that it is all of the above, with the first being most
>> important.
>>
>> (1) When I've asked the core people why they come and have continued
>> to come to the LUG (myself included), they'll talk about the social
>> aspect of the LUG. The LUG is primarily a group of friends with common
>> interests. Anyone who comes for other reasons [help with a problem,
>> interesting meeting topics, installfest] does not stick around unless
>> they make friends with us become part of that core social group.
>>
>> (2) The NCSU LUG serves as a resource for NCSU Linux users in that we
>> help answer questions and resolve issues that people have while
>> working with Linux. We also sometimes share job opportunities for
>> people in our various fields. This goal is largely satisfied through
>> our mailing list and IRC channel, though
>>
>> (3)
>
> If we are talking about the prupose of the LUG, it's also well stated in
> the constitution:
>
> The purpose of this organization is to promote the use and usability of
> Linux in the NCSU community. This includes such activities such as
> informational talks, installfests, and open forums.
>
> Perhaps that needs attention and rewording as well at this point...but
> I"ll leave that to you. :-)
>
> Jack
> --
> Jack Neely <jjneely@ncsu.[redacted]>
> Linux Czar, OIT Campus Linux Services
> Office of Information Technology, NC State University
> GPG Fingerprint: 1917 5AC1 E828 9337 7AA4 EA6B 213B 765F 3B6A 5B89
>

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Re: LUG: Server, funds, purpose