[TOS] Public request for funds

[Mel Chua]

> My situation:  I speak at several conferences each year, and I have two
> talks confirmed at LinuxCon aside from the mini-summit.  My company
> usually pays travel expenses for my conference attendance.  However, we
> were just acquired by a different company a few months ago.  Financial
> issues are still shaking out, and my travel budget has disappeared
> completely.  I would not expect a TOS organization to pay my entire
> travel agenda to LinuxCon, but would be very pleased if I could get the
> plane fare (~$500) and possibly one hotel night (~$180) covered.

I'll check with my team's budget and see if we can find $680 somewhere 
in the "discretionary education-related stuff" bucket or otherwise. Will 
keep the list posted. This seems like a great example of the sort of 
thing that should be funded anyhow.

> If there is a formal process to request funds, I'd be glad to follow it.

We don't have one yet, but should probably build one up... this seems as 
good a start as any. It's all about getting the resources we 
collectively have into the hands of those who need them, after all... I 
wonder if there are any other groups/companies/funding agencies that 
would be interested in mini-grants for this sort of thing?

--Mel