At this point, the "number of edits" conversation seems well covered, so I'll keep this first part brief. I think there are three important areas of growth for OpenStreetMap US:
1) The OSM map itself (more completeness/coverage, whether through individual edits or well-vetted bulk data imports) 2) The OSM US mapping community (more editors, more diversity, more resources for beginners) 3) The OSM US organization (completing 501c3 status work, improving bylaws/processes - such as staggered board terms) Ideally, the elected board should have a mix of expertise in order to be able to address each of those areas of growth. In my statement (http://www.openstreetmap.org/user/eleanortutt/diary/23934), I focused on my desire to focus on introducing neighborhood leaders (as a relatively untapped source of enthusiasm and local knowledge) to OpenStreetMap as well as continuing the strong work the current board has done in supporting editathons/mapathons. Based on this conversation, I have some additional expertise I would like you to consider when voting that I did not cover in my statement: * I have experience providing technical assistance to small 501c3s on best practices for organizational bylaws and management systems * I have been on the core organizing team for three major events in 2014 (the meeting of the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership, the Build for STL hackathon and OpenStreetMap editathon, and a local conference with the theme "Data and the Arts for Social Change") * In addition to the large-scale events above, I've organized multiple OSM editathons/workshops in St. Louis in 2014, and I am leading the new St. Louis Maptime chapter * I have advocated for open source GIS tools, open data, and OSM continuously during my 7+ years of working as a data analyst in the community development field, and I have learned a lot about what works and what doesn't in terms of encouraging new editors and where the pain points are for new editors as they move from their first edit to actually becoming regular contributors * Like Alyssa, I am currently submitting a proposal to host the next SOTM US with other St. Louis OSM contributors Many thanks, Eleanor On Mon, Oct 6, 2014 at 1:07 AM, Clifford Snow <cliff...@snowandsnow.us> wrote: > > On Sun, Oct 5, 2014 at 8:21 PM, Paul Norman <penor...@mac.com> wrote: > >> While a candidate may have other skills, I'd want to hear from them in >> their manifesto why those skills make up for their complete lack of >> OpenStreetMap experience, and why they would be more able to apply those >> skills as a board member, rather than volunteering them without being a >> board member. > > > Paul, > I would hope we are selecting candidates with the skills needed to serve > on the US Chapter's Board. It seems the two biggest functions are finance > and the running of the SOTM-US conference. We are not selecting > editor-in-chief. My experience in selecting board members for non profits > is to find the best individual to fill the needs of the organization. These > usually include the ability to raise monies, organize, communicate and > plan. Additionally, in some positions, leadership skills are necessary. > > We all know great mappers, but not many would do well on the Board. On the > other hand, we know of people that have no mapping experience but would do > great on our board. > > Let elect individuals that can help us grow OSM. Ask yourself which of the > candidates will best serve the needs of the community? If you do, I think > you'll see that the number of edits has little to do with serving on the > Board. > > Clifford > > -- > @osm_seattle > osm_seattle.snowandsnow.us > OpenStreetMap: Maps with a human touch > > _______________________________________________ > Talk-us mailing list > Talk-us@openstreetmap.org > https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us > >
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