Hi Yusuf,
Great input and there are number of ideas we already discussed internally.
On 27/03/2017 16:26, Yusuf Satar wrote:
> However it is difficult to imagine that fundamental ethics, principles
> and responsibilities be shirked, even for this massive event.
> As for the matters of organization:
> 1. Who are those involved in the organization and what is the structure of the organization? Is it non-profit?
As announced/explained during last year's conference, there is a private
company called "Agile Media Ltd." as the legal body of the Mauritius
Software Craftsmanship Community (MSCC). The field of business is given
under "Publishing". All records are accessible at the Registrar of
Companies. And in case that you're wondering: No salaries involved, the
running expenses are mainly the bank fees and expenses for MSCC events
and meetups organised for the benefit of our subscribers (aka craftsmen
- or members if you'd like to).
The decision for a private company is solely based on the lack of
manpower (and availability), a higher grade of flexibility, and the
abundance of complusory membership fees compared to an association. It
took me at least a year to weight in the pro's and con's for this.
> 2. The speakers are voluntary or remunerated?
No speaker is renumerated.
We ask whether assistance for travelling or accommodation would be
necessary, and then depending on availability of funds we have an
individual case situation whereas we discuss with a speaker the situation.
> 3. Are details of the budget published or otherwise made available?
Of course, accounting has to be filled with the Registrar of Companies.
Furthermore, anyone interested in the budget planning of the conference
can have access to our forecast and balance sheet.
> With regards to cost, personally my suggestions would be:
> 1. More transparency on organization / finances
Available on request, although it is a private company.
> 2. Paid access to conference
How much would you charge for 1 conference day?
For 2 days?
For all 3 days?
Would you charge access to Extras activities separately?
The introduction of an entrance fee for the Developers Conference
requires to initiate the dialog with Mauritius Quality Authority (MQA -
compulsory) and Human Resource Development Council (HRDC - optional).
This process is lengthy and involves expenses to be covered.
> 3. Preferential rates for students
How would you define a preferential rate?
Why for students?
Only for students?
What about interested college pupils?
How about free of charge for Mauritians only, and foreigners have to pay?
And last, why should we consider this?
Right now, the conference is free (as in beer) and therefore easy
accessable to anyone.
> 4. Provide forms / games in collaboration with sponsors for participants to get free / discounted passes
This would not be under our responsibility.
We would simple provide a sponsor with a contingent of entrance tickets,
and the rest is to their use and disclosure.
> 5. Provided bundle passes for companies
Sorry, I cannot follow you on that one. Please elaborate.
> 6. Different grades of passes - more expensive ones get goodies
Why would you like to introduce artificial separation of attendees?
Two-class system for attendees?
Our main belief (and somehow the success) of the Developers Conference
is to provide a platform on regional and international level to anyone -
free of charge and based on equality.
> 7. Create donation portal
>
> Kindly note that since I am not part of the organization team so my views may be inadequate, for which I apologize.
Your ideas and suggestions are good alternatives, and I appreciate your
thought on those topics.
May I ask you how some or all of those suggestions of yours should be
implemented?
It would be informative to have your estimation on both manpower and
finances needed to establish this kind of event environment.
How would you cover those additional expenses?
And why stop at the Developers Conference? According to your ideas given
above, we could and should also apply all those considerations for our
monthly Meetups, shouldn't we?
Or should we just introduce monthly or annual fees - just to be part of
a community?
Where should we stop?
I had a quick lookup on the definition of community -
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community
And the current information about the MSCC:
"This is a community for those who care and are proud of what they
do. For those developers, regardless how experienced they are, who
want to improve and master their craft.
This is a community for those who believe that being average is just
not good enough."
Source:
https://www.meetup.com/MauritiusSoftwareCraftsmanshipCommunity/
- About us
In my humble opinion, the introduction of an entrance fee would be equal
to the decay and fall of the MSCC.
--
Kind regards, Jochen
Founder of Mauritius Software Craftsmanship Community
http://www.meetup.com/MauritiusSoftwareCraftsmanshipCommunity/
Received on Mon Mar 27 2017 - 13:09:02 PST