[OSGeo-Discuss] Defining an OSGeo Ambassador role

[Michael P. Gerlek]

See also this page on the OGC website:

http://www.ogcnetwork.net/node/1585 

-mpg


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael P. Gerlek [mailto:mpg at flaxen.com]
> Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 3:15 PM
> To: 'Cameron Shorter'; 'OSGeo Discussions'
> Subject: RE: [OSGeo-Discuss] Defining an OSGeo Ambassador role
> 
> Cameron, thanks for bringing this up for discussion.
> 
> A couple things to note:
> 
> - in some cases, the Board might decide that it is important enough to have an Ambassador at an event that the Foundation would
> cover travel expenses
> 
> - it is unlikely that the Foundation would be able to cover the costs of the Ambassador's time, however; aside from the expense
> involved and trying to determine a fair uniform hourly rate, I could see that turn into a fight for who gets to go; but on the other hand,
> a nominal fee might help enable some of us who are self-employed or similar to fill the ambassador role
> 
> - some events/functions might require the Ambassador be a Board member as well (as in the case of the email of mine which
> Cameron quotes)
> 
> -mpg
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org [mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Cameron Shorter
> > Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 2:24 PM
> > To: OSGeo Discussions
> > Subject: [OSGeo-Discuss] Defining an OSGeo Ambassador role
> >
> > On 20/04/2012 4:06 AM, Michael P. Gerlek wrote:
> > > Do we have any policies and cost structures for the Ambassador function yet?
> >
> > I've seen a few people talking about creating an OSGeo Ambassador role.
> > Arnulf I think might have been the first to mention it, and I think it
> > is an excellent idea. I'm also aware that the OGC are considering
> > developing OGC ambassadors too.
> >
> > So I'd like to open the floor and see what people think an ambassador's
> > role could involve, which leads into the qualities we would wish our
> > ambassador's to have, which leads into the ways we may select an ambassador.
> >
> > Let me start by noting some of the driving factors:
> > 1. Arnulf has noted that as OSGeo president, he has spent a significant
> > amount of time on areoplanes travelling around the world to talk on
> > behalf of OSGeo. He has suggested that this role should be shared.
> > Conference organisors, who have a primary goal of attracting attendees,
> > look for authoritative figureheads to talk at conferences. They are
> > expected to have a deep insight into a specific domain, such as OSGeo.
> > They should also speak well, even better if they are entertaining.
> >
> > 2. OSGeo is a sexy topic has many conferences, and there are hundreds,
> > if not thousands of conferences around the world which would like to see
> > an OSGeo presence.
> >
> > 3. OSGeo is fortunate to draw membership from around the world,
> > including boasting a number of very healthy local chapters. As such, we
> > are likely to have potential ambassadors in most counties. (We might be
> > a bit short in Antarctica)
> >
> > 4. There are times when negotiating MOUs or similar with other
> > countries, it would be useful to have someone local speak with authority
> > on behalf of OSGeo.
> >
> > 5. Note that there are conflicting interests here of wanting to open up
> > the role for anyone who volunteers, verses maintaining a selectiveness
> > and prestige for the role which is the key selection criteria for
> > conferences asking for an ambassador.
> >
> > As such, I think it important that ambassadors can only be voted into
> > the position, and not handed out to anyone. We already vote for a board,
> > and charter members.
> > I think board members should be considered ambassadors by default.
> > Should charter members be considered ambassadors? Charter members only
> > get this role after demonstrating a commitment to OSGeo, so will likely
> > have a reasonable depth of OSGeo knowledge. Maybe we should ask for a
> > history of speaking well (as demonstrated at conferences), to the
> > ambassador criteria.
> >
> > Then lastly, do we wish to invite ambassadors from a greater circle? At
> > this point, I'd probably err on saying no, as if the entry bar to
> > becoming an ambassador is too easy, then the mystic of the role will be
> > lost.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Cameron Shorter
> > Geospatial Solutions Manager
> > Tel: +61 (0)2 8570 5050
> > Mob: +61 (0)419 142 254
> >
> > Think Globally, Fix Locally
> > Geospatial Solutions enhanced with Open Standards and Open Source
> > http://www.lisasoft.com
> >
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