\title{Italian Chapter}
\author{Massimo di Stefano}
\maketitle

\section{Key Accomplishments}
\begin{itemize}
\item  Substantial grassroots activities (with 20 events in one year, mostly in Northern and Central Italy).
\item  First edition of the GFOSS day held in Pontedera in November (130 participants). The event does not replace the traditional GRASS/GFOSS meeting, typically held in the first months of the year with a focus on research \& development and a strong participation of the academic community.
\item  Media coverage, with presence in radio and magazines.
\item  Increase in registered members.
\item  Formal action towards the National Statistics Institute, in response to a tender which presented issues in the possibility of proposing FOSS solutions. This action is being conducted with the support of ASSOLI, another association for the promotion of free software.
\item  ECDL GIS: preparation of a test for GIS certification, based on QGIS, for the ECDL Foundation.
\item  Substantial support to the OpenStreetMap project in the first part of 2008 (January-July).
\item  Liaison to other organizations and institutions (OpenStreetMap, Italian PostgreSQL user group).
\item  Election of new board (February).
\end{itemize}

\section{Areas for Improvement}
\begin{itemize}
\item  OSGEO liaison can be further consolidated (new liaison officer appointed in Feb 2009).
\item  Some administrative issues still to be cleared.
\end{itemize}

\section{Opportunities to Help}
\begin{itemize}
\item  Not immediately identified. Stay tuned for announcements from our community on the OSGEO mailing lists.
\end{itemize}

\section{Outlook for 2009}
\begin{itemize}
\item  Hackmeetings are in the process of being planned. We expect to hold one or two events during 2009.
\item  Second edition of the GFOSS day to be held in Bolzano, 11 Nov 2009.
\item  Interest in providing additional momentum in Italy, and in connection with other European chapters, towards FOSS4G 2010.
\end{itemize}
