[OSGeo-Discuss] Defining an OSGeo Ambassador role
Cameron Shorter
cameron.shorter at gmail.com
Thu Apr 19 14:24:25 PDT 2012
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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