DRAFT Handbook for Becoming a Local Chapter

Steps to becoming a local chapter

General requirements are outlined in the FAQ on the OpenStreetMap Foundation wiki at https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Local_Chapters/FAQ#What_are_the_minimum_requirements_for_a_Chapter.3F
Frequently asked questions are answered here: https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Local_Chapters/FAQ
The template agreement is here: https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Local_Chapters/Template_agreement

  1. Be an active community that brings people together through OpenStreetMap, through events, online resources, interactions with local users and data sources or any other relevant way.
  2. Form a non-profit organization that is incorporated or otherwise registered locally with the (national, provincial/state, or municipal) government.
  3. Create and publish founding documents (charter, articles of association, and bylaws). Publishing may be effected by posting copies of these documents on the organizaton's website, preferably in both local language and in English. These documents should specify the membership structure and voting rights of members.
  4. Create a budget (financial report) and publish it. Count the number of members of the organization.
  5. Apply to the Local Chapters and Communities Working Group (LCCWG) via email for local chapter status: local@osmfoundation.org. The form this takes and the documents required are listed here: https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Local_Chapters/Application_documents
  6. Upon receipt of this information, LCCWG will review the documents. LCCWG may have questions, which the applicant will need to answer before the process can continue.
  7. After completing the review, LCCWG will ask the applicant to provide information about which communications channels the applying local OSM community uses, and will (with translation help from the applicant) conduct local consultations. In effect, LCCWG will verify that the applicant's local OSM community concurs with the applicant's desire to become a local chapter of the OpenStreetMap Foundation. This will normally take about two weeks.
  8. If the applicant owns OSM-related trademarks or other relevant intellectual property, legal paperwork must be prepared for signature to transfer the trademarks to the OpenStreetMap Foundation. OSM community consultations will typically not begin until the applicant agrees to transfer the trademarks.
  9. When local consultation is complete, LCCWG will begin OSM community consultation. This will normally take two weeks if the application is uncontroversial. If questions arise, however, consultation can take longer, and in the event of disagreement with some aspect of the applicant's documented practices, may require modification of those practices and amendment of the founding documents.
  10. When OSM community consultation is complete, if the community concurs with admission of the applicant, LCCWG will recommend to the Board.
  11. Upon receiving LCCWG recommendation, the Board votes to approve the application via a Board Meeting. At that point the Board and the new local chapter
    • sign the local chapter agreement,
    • sign any documents transferring trademarks and other intellectual property to the OpenStreetMap Foundation.
  12. The new local chapter appoints a representative to the Advisory Board.
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