Memos to Members/27 April 2005

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Date:    Wed, 27 Apr 2005 13:48:00 CDT
To:      sage-members@sage.org
From:    David Parter <dparter@cs.wisc.edu>
Subject: [SAGE] Memo-to-Members (April 2005)

SAGE Memo-to-Members
April 2005

1. LISA 2005 update

   The deadline for LISA 2005 submissions is fast approaching -- May 10. 
   See http://www.usenix.org/events/lisa05/cfp/ for submission details

   Make sure to reserve the dates now for attending LISA05: December 4-9, 
   San Diego CA. See http://www.usenix.org/events/lisa05/ for details

2. SAGE Transition status/news

   At the recent USENIX Annual Technical Conference, the transition team
   (Lorette Cheswick, Geoff Halprin, Trey Harris and David Parter) held
   a well-attended BOF to update members and answer questions. We had a
   good discussion about many issues related to the transition process
   and organizing an independent SAGE.

   Here are the highlights:

   * LISA: A frequent question from the members regards the future of
     the LISA conference. LISA will continue to be co-sponsored by
     USENIX and SAGE, and will continue to be the premier System
     Administration event.

   * SAGE memberships and benefits continue unchanged -- please renew
     when your membership expires! (Another frequent question)

   * Incorporation: As previously reported, we have incorporated in New
     Jersey, and filed with the IRS for 501c(3) non-profit tax-exempt
     status. The transition team is now officially the Interim Board of
     Trustees. 

   * Governance: we are continuing to refine the bylaws and establish
     initial policies of the new SAGE. As previously reported: 
       - The Board will have 9 members, elected at large, for two-year terms
          (Note: Elections will be by preferential voting)
      - The Board will elect officers from within the Board 

   * Elections: see below

   * Management: see below

   * All the documents relating to the organization will be posted on the
     web in the next few weeks. We will send email to sage-members to
     let you know.

3. SAGE Elections

   A few weeks ago email was sent to all SAGE members from the
   Leadership Committee soliciting nominations for the SAGE Board of
   Directors. If you are interested, please contact a member of the
   Leadership Committee:
       Esther Filderman <mizmoose@gmail.com>
       Adam Moskowitz <adamm@menlo.com>
       Mario Obejas <obejas@exile.esn.us.ray.com>
       Greg Rose <ggr@qualcomm.com> (Leadership Committee chair)

   The leadership committee held a well-attended BOF at the
   recent USENIX Annual Technical Conference to discuss
   nominations and the election procedures.

   The election will be held online in early June. The new Board will
   take office shortly after the elections. 

4. SAGE Management

   Using frequent flyer miles, vacation days, juggling consulting
   clients, and start-up funding from USENIX, the Interim
   Board/Transition Team is currently in the midst of a whirlwind
   five-city tour to conduct on-site visits/interviews with the finalists
   for an association management company (AMC) to provide management
   services for the new SAGE. 
   
   Hiring an AMC is a cost-effective way to retain staff, establish an
   office, and gain the expertise of professionals in association
   management, without having to do it all ourselves (for more
   information on AMCs, see http://www.iaamc.org/). 

   We recieved 19 proposals in reponse to our request for proposals, and
   after review of the proposals and phone interviews, narrowed the list
   to five finalists.

   We expect to have an AMC selected in the next few weeks, at which
   point we can begin planning for the transition of services and the
   seating of the new Board of Directors. Having an AMC will also help
   us to address the administrative/logistical details of the first
   Board of Directors' election.

If you have any comments, feedback, questions, please contact us:
   
   SAGE Transition Team/Interim Board: board@sage-members.org

David Parter
Your memo-to-members editor 
dparter@sage.org