[DUG-TO] Drupalcamp...the continuing story of an event trying to happen

Mon Jul 27 14:17:31 EDT 2009

A University is probably the best bet. Has anyone tried to connect
with the Centre for Social Innovation <http://socialinnovation.ca/> ?

I am new to this discussion group, but would very much like to see
DrupalCamp Toronto 2009 move forward. Does anyone want to arrange a
meetup in Toronto to help organize the event? One of the most urgent
issues is that we need to have a 2009 DrupalCamp Toronto website
online. Currently, only last years website is online
(http://2008.drupalcamptoronto.org/).

Best,
Noam

On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 2:00 PM, <dug-to-request at lists.openject.com> wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
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>   1. Re: Drupalcamp...the continuing story of an event trying  to
>      happen (Jane Zhang)
>   2. Re: Drupalcamp...the continuing story of an event trying  to
>      happen (Khalid Baheyeldin)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:06:16 -0400
> From: Jane Zhang <jane at bitfog.net>
> Subject: Re: [DUG-TO] Drupalcamp...the continuing story of an event
>        trying  to happen
> To: Drupal Users Group Toronto <dug-to at lists.openject.com>
> Message-ID:
>        <3037a13f0907271006w3266848dv41b0312ae73f2237 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Hi All,
>
> I might be able to get us donated space at UofT, will hear back soon on
> that, if we can get space, do we still want to have DrupalCamp on
> Aug15th/16th? Let me know peeps.
>
> Jane
>
> On Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 10:34 PM, Julian Egelstaff <
> julian.egelstaff-lists at freeformsolutions.ca> wrote:
>
>> Hello again everyone...after attempting to move this event into a high gear
>> just the other day, I now have to ask everyone for some sober second
>> thought, because I've learned from MaRS that the hard costs are about 75%
>> higher than I thought they were.  Frankly, I don't think that's a good way
>> to spend our money, assuming there is even that much sponsorship money out
>> there, and that seems doubtful to me.  But this is an open community so I
>> don't feel it's my decision alone to make....
>>
>> Short version of the long story...when Drupalcamp had no venue and no
>> momentum at all, I thought I'd make some inquiries to see if I could find
>> anywhere to have it.  An old contact I had at MaRS came through like a
>> dynamo, and managed to get them to agree to provide their main auditorium
>> complimentary.
>> And there was much excitement.
>>
>> Then, after we here managed to settle on a date, I went and talked to MaRS
>> about the logistics, and to see what the space was like, and that's when I
>> learned that they were prepared to provide the space for no charge, but they
>> required their janitorial and technical staff to be on hand for both days of
>> the event, and we would have to foot the bill for that staff time.  That's
>> when I started adding everything up into the big budget that some of you
>> might recall seeing when I posted it to the list a couple months ago.  Since
>> the costs were mounting, the plea was for sponsors.
>>
>> And there was not much excitement.
>>
>> So due to the declining momentum and the approaching date, myself and
>> others began to think about a stripped down event...cut out the major costs,
>> no catering, no shirts, just the hard MaRS costs to bear, and even with the
>> short window until the event (less than a month now), if there was still
>> enough interest, a small event could be a success.  So I "took the pulse"
>> earlier this week, as Alex and James put their heads together to pull the
>> website out of nowhere, and when Jane said she'd tweet about it, I was
>> pretty sure we could get enough interest for a decent small event.
>>
>> So I, at least, was getting a little excited again.
>>
>> Then, I just learned via e-mail that the complimentary auditorium space
>> only includes one complimentary projector and screen.  If we have the
>> auditorium divided into three separate spaces, which seems like the only
>> logical configuration for this kind of event, then we will be charged an
>> additional $1680 for another two projectors and another two screens!
>>
>> So, before I learned this, we were expecting to pay $1819.30 for the MaRS
>> staff time, and that would have been the only cost for Drupalcamp.
>>  Considering what a prime location and top quality space it is, I think
>> that's a justifiable cost.  Free is better, somehow we got free at UofT in
>> the past, but not this year.  So under $2000, well, it is what it is.  Since
>> there were no other possibilities for a Drupalcamp in the near future, it
>> seemed like the cost of doing business if people really wanted to have an
>> event, at least that's one justification.
>>
>> And I was pretty sure that donations and sponsors would be able to cover
>> that amount.
>>
>> But add another $1680 for projector and screens...we could practically buy
>> projectors and screens for that much and have money left over.  The total
>> cost goes up to about $3500.  That's about half of last year's Drupalcamp,
>> but this time there would be no food, no shirts.  I have to wonder if it's
>> good value for money...put it another way, if as a group we could raise
>> $3500 through donations and sponsors, would we want to spend it on what is
>> essentially rental costs for space for Drupalcamp, or would we rather spend
>> it on something else?
>> My gut is telling me "something else."  Nevermind the fact I think $3500 is
>> more than we can expect to raise (but prove me wrong lurking sponsors out
>> there!).  And $3500 is a lot of money and I have to believe that as a group
>> we have found much better ways of spending that much money in the past.
>>
>> So is this the end of the rollercoaster ride of Drupalcamp Toronto 2009?
>>  Only you can decide!  This is just one person's opinion, and talk is cheap
>> on the internet.  Reply and have your say.
>>
>> Here's a thought....the good folks at Seneca are trying to kick start an
>> event in October this year called Toronto Open Source Week, that will be
>> bookended by Ontario Linux Fest, and the Free Software and Open Source
>> Symposium (FSOSS).  You can read a little blurb about it on the FSOSS
>> website:  http://fsoss.senecac.on.ca/2009/
>>
>> That's about all I know about it, but maybe that's better timing for
>> Drupalcamp Toronto 2009?  Who wants to follow up on that?  Considering how
>> poorly my efforts have turned out, (and how insanely busy I am at work now),
>> I can't recommend myself for the job.
>>
>> Or, maybe we need to strike a real organizing committee and start planning
>> now for Drupalcamp Toronto 2010, and make sure it's the most amazing
>> Drupalcamp ever.
>>
>> --Julian
>> _______________________________________________
>> DUG-TO mailing list
>> DUG-TO at lists.openject.com
>> http://lists.openject.com/listinfo/dug-to
>>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:27:58 -0400
> From: Khalid Baheyeldin <kb at 2bits.com>
> Subject: Re: [DUG-TO] Drupalcamp...the continuing story of an event
>        trying  to happen
> To: Drupal Users Group Toronto <dug-to at lists.openject.com>
> Message-ID:
>        <4a9fdc630907271027l5a7f248aic2611d798dbd206d at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Julian
>
> I think you are right in your assessment that the expense vs. features is
> too high.
> $3500 is a bit steep when you see that there is no lunch, no t-shirt,
> ...etc.
>
> The other issue is the summer malaise. The other thread did not have a lot
> of
> respondents. Seems like the regular attendance for a monthly DUG meeting
> nor a DrupalCamp.
>
> If Jane can pull off a free (or lower cost) venue, then it will help make a
> better
> camp. Also pushing it to the late fall would buy more time as well as get
> summer
> out of the equation.
>
> Your initiative and perseverance is REALLY appreciated.
>
> On Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 10:34 PM, Julian Egelstaff <
> julian.egelstaff-lists at freeformsolutions.ca> wrote:
>
>> Hello again everyone...after attempting to move this event into a high gear
>> just the other day, I now have to ask everyone for some sober second
>> thought, because I've learned from MaRS that the hard costs are about 75%
>> higher than I thought they were.  Frankly, I don't think that's a good way
>> to spend our money, assuming there is even that much sponsorship money out
>> there, and that seems doubtful to me.  But this is an open community so I
>> don't feel it's my decision alone to make....
>>
>> Short version of the long story...when Drupalcamp had no venue and no
>> momentum at all, I thought I'd make some inquiries to see if I could find
>> anywhere to have it.  An old contact I had at MaRS came through like a
>> dynamo, and managed to get them to agree to provide their main auditorium
>> complimentary.
>> And there was much excitement.
>>
>> Then, after we here managed to settle on a date, I went and talked to MaRS
>> about the logistics, and to see what the space was like, and that's when I
>> learned that they were prepared to provide the space for no charge, but they
>> required their janitorial and technical staff to be on hand for both days of
>> the event, and we would have to foot the bill for that staff time.  That's
>> when I started adding everything up into the big budget that some of you
>> might recall seeing when I posted it to the list a couple months ago.  Since
>> the costs were mounting, the plea was for sponsors.
>>
>> And there was not much excitement.
>>
>> So due to the declining momentum and the approaching date, myself and
>> others began to think about a stripped down event...cut out the major costs,
>> no catering, no shirts, just the hard MaRS costs to bear, and even with the
>> short window until the event (less than a month now), if there was still
>> enough interest, a small event could be a success.  So I "took the pulse"
>> earlier this week, as Alex and James put their heads together to pull the
>> website out of nowhere, and when Jane said she'd tweet about it, I was
>> pretty sure we could get enough interest for a decent small event.
>>
>> So I, at least, was getting a little excited again.
>>
>> Then, I just learned via e-mail that the complimentary auditorium space
>> only includes one complimentary projector and screen.  If we have the
>> auditorium divided into three separate spaces, which seems like the only
>> logical configuration for this kind of event, then we will be charged an
>> additional $1680 for another two projectors and another two screens!
>>
>> So, before I learned this, we were expecting to pay $1819.30 for the MaRS
>> staff time, and that would have been the only cost for Drupalcamp.
>>  Considering what a prime location and top quality space it is, I think
>> that's a justifiable cost.  Free is better, somehow we got free at UofT in
>> the past, but not this year.  So under $2000, well, it is what it is.  Since
>> there were no other possibilities for a Drupalcamp in the near future, it
>> seemed like the cost of doing business if people really wanted to have an
>> event, at least that's one justification.
>>
>> And I was pretty sure that donations and sponsors would be able to cover
>> that amount.
>>
>> But add another $1680 for projector and screens...we could practically buy
>> projectors and screens for that much and have money left over.  The total
>> cost goes up to about $3500.  That's about half of last year's Drupalcamp,
>> but this time there would be no food, no shirts.  I have to wonder if it's
>> good value for money...put it another way, if as a group we could raise
>> $3500 through donations and sponsors, would we want to spend it on what is
>> essentially rental costs for space for Drupalcamp, or would we rather spend
>> it on something else?
>> My gut is telling me "something else."  Nevermind the fact I think $3500 is
>> more than we can expect to raise (but prove me wrong lurking sponsors out
>> there!).  And $3500 is a lot of money and I have to believe that as a group
>> we have found much better ways of spending that much money in the past.
>>
>> So is this the end of the rollercoaster ride of Drupalcamp Toronto 2009?
>>  Only you can decide!  This is just one person's opinion, and talk is cheap
>> on the internet.  Reply and have your say.
>>
>> Here's a thought....the good folks at Seneca are trying to kick start an
>> event in October this year called Toronto Open Source Week, that will be
>> bookended by Ontario Linux Fest, and the Free Software and Open Source
>> Symposium (FSOSS).  You can read a little blurb about it on the FSOSS
>> website:  http://fsoss.senecac.on.ca/2009/
>>
>> That's about all I know about it, but maybe that's better timing for
>> Drupalcamp Toronto 2009?  Who wants to follow up on that?  Considering how
>> poorly my efforts have turned out, (and how insanely busy I am at work now),
>> I can't recommend myself for the job.
>>
>> Or, maybe we need to strike a real organizing committee and start planning
>> now for Drupalcamp Toronto 2010, and make sure it's the most amazing
>> Drupalcamp ever.
>>
>> --Julian
>> _______________________________________________
>> DUG-TO mailing list
>> DUG-TO at lists.openject.com
>> http://lists.openject.com/listinfo/dug-to
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Khalid M. Baheyeldin
> 2bits.com, Inc.
> http://2bits.com
> Drupal optimization, development, customization and consulting.
> Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. --  Edsger W.Dijkstra
> Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. --   Leonardo da Vinci
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-- 
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