Re: GNOME Foundation Elections 2007. Let's start the debate!

["Og Maciel" <ogmaciel gnome org>]

On Nov 20, 2007 9:06 AM, Dave Neary <bolsh gnome org> wrote:
> What has prevented you from doing/encouraging these things as an
> ordinary member? The marketing team is open to all, several members
> propose/organise local events (gnome.conf.au, FOSDEM DevRoom, Boston
> Summit, GNOME Asia Summit, GNOME conferences at FISL & Latinoware in
> Brasil, GNOME stands at conferences around the world), and so on.
>
> What makes you think you will be more able to do these things as a board
> member?

Great question, and one I was antecipating... :) I believe the answer
that applies to my case is a combination of several factors, which I
will try to account for in no particular order below:

* Maybe the Board was too transparent, but the truth of matter was
that I wasn't really aware of it or its past decisions and/or agenda
items; Transparency is a good thing but marketing still applies;

* For quite some time I was stretched thin with my community
involvements and it took me some time until I felt I had left a
concise and well thought out roadmap for the next organizer;

* Not knowing the "right people" and the proper channels to make my
voice heard, something I hope to resolve by becoming more exposed and
expanding my relationships (networking). This goes well with my point
that we need good leaders who not only can make decisions but can
coach and incentive people to come out from the shadows and step up to
the plate;

* Money! Being a dad of two young daughters, and the fact that I took
a major pay cut when I moved to North Carolina (a decision I don't
regret a bit; my wife worked too and now she stays home) have left me
with no budget for traveling and attending community events. Sure I
have met many people online but nothing beats the real face to face
interaction!

Some of these factors still apply to me to a lesser extent, so how am
I going to do it as a member of the Board? I believe that I will have
more exposure and will get to interact with a greater variety of
people. This will allow me to learn a bit more about the available
channels and be able to take a more proactive stance intead of bang my
head against the wall not knowing what or who to tap.

A combination of some serious marketing campaigns coupled with a more
substantial method for financing these enterprises will take me from
someone who advocates atop a soap box to something more organized and
with broader reach. Let us venture into newer and smaller venues...
bring GNOME to where the users are.

Also, this membership would give my ideas more credibility as I'd be
not speaking from my own perspective but backed by the Foundation and
the entire Board.

Well, I think this is about it. :)

Cheers,
-- 
Og B. Maciel

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ogmaciel gnome org
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