[FOSS4G-Oceania] Motion: extended, targeted call for papers if needed

[Edoardo Neerhut]

Here here John.

While there is definitely more we could have done (me especially) and can
still do, it is not always in plain view. Particularly when this is the
first conference we have organised together.

I reject the notion that we're white guys making excuses. Open to ideas on
how to do things better, but echo John: Let's not castigate ourselves.

If this was easy it would have been done years ago. We need to keep pushing
and positivity is key.

"I'm an optometrist, not a pessimist".


On Fri, 7 Sep. 2018, 10:50 am John Bryant, <johnwbryant at gmail.com> wrote:

> I'm reluctant to aggravate here, but I have to respond to characterising
> our efforts as a failure, and especially this:
>
> *I don’t think we’ve done our best, we’ve done a bunch of stuff that fits
>> within our (predominantly white male) comfort zone and then got out our
>> excuse book*
>>
>
> As a committee, we've been discussing diversity for 9 months, and I've
> been impressed with how much everyone has been on board. It's a very
> complex issue, nobody has all the answers, and we've learned a lot about
> what we can do.
>
> Beyond just discussing it, we've taken many concrete actions. Many people
> on this committee have put a lot of energy into this, I think it's unfair
> to paint a picture of abject failure.
>
> Rather, I see quite a bit of success, and I see our efforts so far as
> being constructive steps in the right direction. We've begun a journey of
> building an event that attracts diversity, and we need to continue to work
> hard on it, but we also need to have some patience as we learn and develop
> this over time. Part of this may be actually fostering diversity within the
> community, which certainly doesn't happen overnight.
>
> Have we created an event that is fully representative of a diverse
> community? Certainly not, and there is a lot of room for improvement. But
> rather than castigate ourselves for failing, let's accept this is
> difficult, recognise the progress we have made, and re-calibrate our
> efforts based on what we've learned.
>
> To end on a positive note, kudos to everyone who has worked hard on making
> diversity part of this event over the last 9 months, and let's make sure it
> continues to be a priority. Adam, your passion for progressive thinking is
> an asset to the committee, please keep it coming!
>
>
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