For several years it has been obvious that such an organisation is lacking and it is now time to do something about it. While there exists several oranisations dedicated to GNU/Linux, and even more local user groups, this does not satisfy our goals. We want to work with all Free Software that exists today and we want to do so in a way that is distinctively different from a user group and can be applied on a wider perspective. User groups has a tendancy to work better on a local level where people can actually get together and talk, and we want to keep it that way because they serve an important function in our community.

The new organisation will have a simple structure where most of the work is organised into various working groups which people can become active in, in order to further free software in various areas. Membership will be open to all and we hope that this structure will encourage people to participate.

Each working group will consist of one or two coordinators together with the members that participate in the working group. All coordinators work together to provide support and help between the working groups and to communicate with other Free Software organisations in Scandinavia. Working groups are created when there is enough interest among the members and at least one person volunteers to become the coordinator.

Meetings and discussions will take place primarily through mailing lists, but the association will try to arange annual meetings where members can meet in person. Such meetings will alternate between the countries in Scandinavia where the organisation has members.

It is the intent of the people working on the association to apply for membership as an associate organization of the Free Software Foundation Europe. Collaboration between countries in Europe is important because it allows us to share knowledge and make better use of the resources available to us.

Companies can also support the association by becoming corporate members. A small fee will be associated with that membership status and money raised from this and through donations will be used for various actions and meetings, upon request and decision by the working group coordinators.

Currently, the people who has been involved in the process of forming the basis for this organisation are;

• Jonas Öberg
• Tim Terlegĺrd
• Martin Östlund
• Lars Magne Ingebrigtsen
• Fredrik Steen
• Tollef Fog Heen

If you want to help us, please subscribe to our mailing list, nafs@nafs.org, by visiting http://mail.nafs.org/mailman/listinfo/nafs.