About VanLUG

The Vancouver Linux User Group is a non-profit association of technology professionals and enthusiasts in the Greater Vancouver area. With over 2,200 members, we are one of the largest Linux user groups in the world.

VanLUG existed for a couple of years before it was officially incorporated on March 29, 1999. What started as a handful of people in a library meeting room has grown into one of the most active user groups of its kind across Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

We promote Linux and free, open-source software as alternatives to proprietary platforms, and provide a forum for professionals and newcomers alike to meet, learn, and collaborate. Our monthly meetings, hosted by our library and community partners, feature guest speakers from local and international companies on topics ranging from kernel internals and automation to career strategy and startup opportunities.

More importantly, VanLUG wants members to gain new skills, new ideas, better career trajectories, and greater opportunities in the open-source ecosystem.

Our purpose

We exist to fulfil the following mandates:

1. To promote the use of GNU-Linux (aka LINUX), a freely distributable, UNIX-like operating system developed by Linus Torvalds and a team of International collaborators. Linux follows the 'free, open source software' (FOSS) principles created by Richard M. Stallman who headed the GNU project. We also promote other variants of Linux (called Distros) and other UNIX versions (like GNU, BSD, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, etc) by individuals, businesses, organizations, institutions, and others, particularly those in the Greater Vancouver Area, the Canadian Westcoast, and the Pacific North-West.
2. To promote Free, Open Source and other software development models under which GNU-Linux and related software are being developed.
3. To foster collaboration and cooperation between GNU-Linux / Unix users and developers, particularly those in the Greater Vancouver Area, the Canadian Westcoast, and the Pacific North-West.
4. To provide a focus for GNU-Linux / Unix users and developers, particularly those in Greater Vancouver Area and the Pacific North-West.
5. To organize events of various types in Greater Vancouver Area and the Pacific-North West, that promote the GNU-Linux / UNIX and related software and products to the larger community.

2026 Board of Directors

As a registered non-profit society in British Columbia, VanLUG is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Elections are held annually at our AGM. New volunteers are always welcome. Get in touch if you'd like to help.

See our Design System on the Resources page for VanLUG's icon, logo, fonts, colours, and design assets.