[OSGeo-Discuss] Board nomination: Jeff McKenna

Fri Oct 13 10:06:49 PDT 2017

Cameron, I needed time to think on all of these issues being raised.  I 
never ignored you.  I disagree with your public statement that I avoid 
hard OSGeo questions.  I have always tried to represent the OSGeo 
community, and I have stood up for the community when others could or 
would not.  My problem is that I am sometimes too strong, too 
passionate, coming off as not caring, when in fact this is opposite: I 
have as much caring for the OSGeo community as anyone else here.

Thank you for voicing all of these public concerns of my career.   I 
have tried to answer your concerns.  I am sure you disagree with me for 
most or all of my answers, but I hope you take the time to let my words 
sink in like I did to all of your words, as that time was me showing you 
the most respect, how I respect your words and how powerful the online 
word is today.  Please also show me that respect back.

Maybe we can meet in person in 2018.  FOSS4G-Australia 2018!!! Let's do 
it!!!!  :)

Yours,

-jeff

On 2017-10-12 4:32 PM, Cameron Shorter wrote:
> Nicolas, Jeff, OSGeo Community:
> 
> I really like and respect Jeff. He has contributed many great things to 
> OSGeo and touched many of us in positive ways. However, while on the 
> board I've seen personality clashes where Jeff has sent passionate 
> emails with what I consider to be an unacceptable level of aggression 
> and disrespect for a board member, and which I believe has led to 
> community members leaving or becoming disengaged [3].
> 
> Jeff appears to have ignored my question. I'm disappointed but not 
> surprised. I've seen Jeff to be quick to engage on topics and people he 
> agrees with; but ignore tough questions; in the extreme resigning from 
> the board. Maybe I'm being hasty, I see Jeff has just posted his 
> candidate manifesto as I write this and he may explain his previous 
> resignations soon.
> 
> I've said the following about Jeff after he resigned previously [4]:
> 
> /    I see in you someone who has some wonderful characteristics which 
> you apply to OSGeo://
> //   You are passionate, enthusiastic, dedicated to task.//
> //
> //    There are a few things that sometimes cause friction://
> //    You are passionate, enthusiastic, dedicated to task.//
> //
> //    As with all of us, our strengths in one circumstance become a 
> weakness in another./
> 
> I love Jeff, but would hope that he provides some of our other excellent 
> board candidates with a chance to be on the board, and hope that Jeff 
> focuses on some of the other roles that he does so well.
> 
> Warm regards, Cameron
> 
> [3] https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/discuss/2015-November/033014.html
> 
> [4] https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2015-December/008829.html
> 
> 
> On 13/10/17 3:32 am, Rob Emanuele wrote:
>> Hi Toshikazu, Nick,
>>
>> Despite the fact that I have not been around long enough or have not 
>> been in the right places to see directly a lot of the impact that Jeff 
>> has had on the community, it's very clear from many accounts that he 
>> has been an amazing and important figure in OSGeo (a Sol Katz award 
>> speaks very clearly to this!). However I feel remiss if I don't point 
>> out the following observation: as a newer member to the OSGeo 
>> community in the past couple of years, I've seen some intense and 
>> surprising conflict happen on the mailing lists that were centered 
>> around or included Jeff, which played out in ways that I believe were 
>> not good for community, and were also not healing in their conclusions.
>>
>> If there is a custom of only speaking positively on someone's 
>> nomination thread, then I apologize. I do not want to detract from 
>> praise that is well deserved. Is there a more appropriate place talk 
>> through, address and hopefully dismiss reservations about a nominee, 
>> and to also call for answers to the questions Cameron has posted?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Rob
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 12, 2017 at 7:02 AM, Toshikazu SETO <tosseto at gmail.com 
>> <mailto:tosseto at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>
>>     I also support the second nomination of Jeff McKenna.
>>
>>     He think important to friendship with all OSGeo communities,
>>     because I am proud of his philosophy.
>>
>>     I think, this thread will use comments on nominations and should
>>     not deep discuss to previous FOSS4G
>>     circumstanceand responsibility.
>>
>>     Best regards,
>>     Toshikazu
>>
> 
> On 12/10/17 4:23 pm, nicolas bozon wrote:
>> Dear Cameron,
>>
>> I appreciate the time and effort you have put into framing questions 
>> and remarks for Jeff, although that sounds rather unusual in a Board 
>> nomination thread.
>>
>> As a Charter Member nominating Jeff, I thought that bygones were 
>> bygones when we honored him with the prestigious Sol Katz award at 
>> FOSS4G 2016. The thunderous applause from one and all present at the 
>> Bundeshaus on August 27th 2016 still rings in my ears. And I think 
>> none in our community would have missed the passion that emanated from 
>> Jeff in his short acceptance speech, but also the continued  effort he 
>> has silently put in helping the Foundation since then.
>>
>> Whishing all candidates a great campain and election.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Nick
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Le mercredi 11 octobre 2017, Steven Feldman <shfeldman at gmail.com 
>> <mailto:shfeldman at gmail.com>> a écrit :
>>
>>     Jeff
>>
>>     I agree with Cameron, I think the charter members are entitled to
>>     an explanation as to why you resigned from the board twice in the
>>     middle of a period of service.
>>
>>     I, for one, would like to understand the basis on which we can be
>>     assured that if you are elected for a third time the pattern of
>>     resignation will not be repeated
>>
>>     Regards
>>     ______
>>     Steven
>>
>>
>>>     On 9 Oct 2017, at 21:42, Cameron Shorter
>>>     <cameron.shorter at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>     Jeff,
>>>
>>>     I've had a number of people correct me to note that you have
>>>     resigned twice from the board. Also from the conference committee
>>>     and FOSS4G mentoring role as the global FOSS4G China was facing
>>>     very hard decisions based on low registration numbers.
>>>
>>>     References:
>>>
>>>     Resignation from board in 2015:
>>>     https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2015-December/008820.html
>>>     <https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2015-December/008820.html>
>>>
>>>     Resignation from board and conference committee in 2012:
>>>     https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2012-February/004544.html
>>>     <https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2012-February/004544.html>
>>>
>>>     Stepping back from mentoring FOSS4G China:
>>>     https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2012-January/004514.html
>>>     <https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2012-January/004514.html>
>>>
>>>     Lessons Learned from FOSS4G China:
>>>     https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G_2012_Lessons_Learned
>>>     <https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G_2012_Lessons_Learned>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>     On 9/10/17 10:01 pm, Cameron Shorter wrote:
>>>>
>>>>     Jeff,
>>>>
>>>>     While I agree with others that you have been very enthusiastic
>>>>     toward OSGeo ideals, I'm also believe that there are some
>>>>     unanswered questions which should be addressed.
>>>>
>>>>     In particular, a while back you stepped down from the OSGeo
>>>>     Board mid-term, while you were in the position of OSGeo
>>>>     president. I don't think a public explanation was provided, but
>>>>     I was aware that there was some passionate discussion happening
>>>>     in public email lists at the time.
>>>>
>>>>     If you are considering sitting on the board again, I think an
>>>>     explanation should be provided.
>>>>
>>>>     Regards, Cameron
>>>>
>>
> -- 
> Cameron Shorter
> Open Technologies Consultant
> Geospatial & Software Architect
> Information Demystifier
> 
> M +61 (0) 419 142 254
> http://shorter.net
> 
> 