[OSGeo-Discuss] Defining an OSGeo Ambassador role

[Rafał Wawer]

I think it is a great idea and introducing the role for few dozens of
members would increase the awareness about OSGeo globally. Naturally, the
ambassadors should be well familiar with OSGeo but also have certain mandate
to speak and make connections on behalf of the Foundation.

On the other hand there are countless events on various geographical scales:
conferences, workshops, political meetings etc., where highlighting OSGeo
would be very welcome or even expected. I have this kind of meetings quite
often, e.g. in 2009 during the EIONET's SEIS Task Force Meeting. I think it
would be good to have an another, less "dramatic" role than ambassador
beside - role for members who represent thematic domain (rather than
geographically distributed ambassadors) and often speak on conferences etc.
I'm sure we can find a nice word for it. (-;
For example I am considered as expert in environmental assessments for
agriculture. During usual presentations related to spatial analyses and
modelling I could include OSGEO Foundation below my usual affiliation (if
allowed by the employer naturally) and put 2 slides on FOSS4G and OSGeo in
my presentation - it costs nothing, but obviously draws audience's
attention, especially as you combine keywords: free, GIS, RS, webmapping.
(-;

Maybe defining roles for the huge cloud of members out there is the way to
structure the planning for the future of the OSGeo. (-:

Best regards:
RAf


DR. Rafal Wawer
The Department of Soil Science Erosion Control and Land Protection
The Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation - State Research
institute
ul. Czartoryskich 8
24-100 Puławy
Poland

mobile: +48601516434
web: www.erozja.iung.pulawy.pl





-----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 11:24 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

_______________________________________________
Discuss mailing list
Discuss at lists.osgeo.org
http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss