Purpose of the European PostgreSQL Group

It's clear from the the discussion last night that there is some
confusion about the purpose of the European Group (let's call it PG-EU
for now). I believe it is important that it's purpose is defined
before we agree to the rules and statutes, to ensure they are
appropriate.

The following outline is how I see the role of PG-EU, based on our
meeting in Prato last year and the discussion last night:

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PG-EU is a European organisation with two main focal areas:

** Umbrella organisation

PG-EU will act as a parent organisation for regional user groups that
choose to join. They will gain:

- Access to standardised flyers and other texts for distribution
- The ability to bulk purchase swag as part of a group, giving
savings through economy of scale.
- Financial & banking services (similar to those provided by SPI).
- The ability to work with other user groups easily to ensure unified
and consistent message across the European PostgreSQL community.

Membership of a group in PG-EU would be paid for through an annual
subscription, based on the number of members of the regional group.
Each member of the regional group is automatically given a membership
in PG-EU that allows them to vote and participate in PG-EU affairs.

** User organisation

PG-EU will act as a user group in countries lacking a regional group
that is part of PG-EU. Users that choose to join will gain similar
benefits to those they might receive from regional user groups, such
as newletters, discounted access to conferences etc.

Users in countries with a regional group that is part of PG-EU, must
join that group through which they can participate in PG-EU.

Users that join PG-EU directly because they have no regional group to
join are subject to an annual membership fee.
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Does that sound reasonable to everyone? If not, what should change and
why? Let's discuss this and agree on a purpose statement on which to
base our future efforts.

Regards, Dave