Charter Members

Charter Members are individuals who have demonstrated sustained and significant contributions to the OSGeo community. Charter membership is the highest form of individual recognition within OSGeo and comes with important governance responsibilities.

Charter Members are the heart of OSGeo’s democratic governance structure. They:

• Vote in annual board elections
• Nominate candidates for board and charter membership
• Guide the foundation’s strategic direction
• Represent OSGeo at conferences and events
• Mentor new community members

Charter membership is earned through contribution, not purchased or applied for directly. The path to charter membership typically involves years of sustained contribution to the OSGeo community.

Types of Contributions

The Nomination Process

1. Contribute consistently to the OSGeo community over time
2. Get nominated by an existing Charter Member who recognizes your contributions
3. Vote by existing Charter Members during the annual membership period
4. Welcome to the charter membership upon successful election

Charter Member elections typically take place annually alongside board elections.

Voting

Charter Members vote in annual board elections, determining the leadership of OSGeo. This is both a right and a responsibility.

Nominations

Charter Members can nominate:

• Candidates for the OSGeo Board
• New Charter Member candidates
• Recipients for OSGeo awards

Community Leadership

Charter Members are expected to:

• Continue contributing to the community
• Mentor new community members
• Represent OSGeo professionally
• Participate in governance discussions

OSGeo has over 300 Charter Members from around the world, representing diverse backgrounds, projects, and regions.

By Region

Member Directory

The complete list of Charter Members is maintained on the OSGeo wiki:

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Charter Members who are no longer actively contributing may be designated as Emeritus Members. Emeritus status recognizes past contributions while keeping the active voting membership current.

Emeritus Members:

• Retain recognition for their contributions
• Can return to active status by resuming contributions
• Are listed separately from active members

Interested in becoming a Charter Member someday? Start contributing to the OSGeo community today!

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