The Vancouver Linux User Group, or VanLUG, is a non-profit association of computer professionals in the Greater Vancouver area. With over 2,200 members (as of December 2025), it is one of the largest such groups in the world.
VanLUG focuses on promoting information and facts about Linux, the premier free operating systems, as well as an introduction to various Open Source Software as replacement for various big tech SaaS.
While VanLUG provides a forum for technology professionals to meet and discuss issues pertaining to Linux and Open Source Software, the group is dedicated to helping new users to Linux and Open Souce, connect with other like minded people, and hear about new companies, startups and projects in the ecosystem.
More importantly, VanLUG wants members to receive new skills, new ideas, better career trajectories, and greater startup opportunities.
VanLUG holds regular monthly meetings (or this link) at various locations featuring guest speakers from both local and international companies on various Linux and related subjects.
The Purpose of Vanlug
We exist to fulfill the following mandates:
(a) 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.
(b) To promote Free, Open Source and other software development models under which GNU-Linux and related software are being developed.
(c) 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.
(d) To provide a focus for GNU-Linux / Unix users and developers, particularly those in Greater Vancouver Area and the Pacific North-West.
(e) 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.
Current Team
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. Please contact us.
The Board of Directors for 2026 is as follows:
President: Nestor Balce
Vice President: John Weintraub
Treasurer and Acting Secretary: Kim Kulak
Directors-at-Large:
– PJ Lilley
– Felicitas Pojtinger
– William Graham
– Frank Ly
– Alex Zolotarov
– Zhiqiang Zhou
– Brant Forseng
– Violet Figueroa
– Victor AV Som
– Ted Lee
