Czajkowski

With a large team spread over numerous time zones and commitments, it can be difficult to find a suitable time to meet.  I used doodle to find a time slot most suitable.  7 days and 15 time slots spread over a week should be enough.  We had 12/21 (though a lot more turned up ) people agree on Wednesday 9th December at 20:00 UTC.  Our meetings for future reference take place on #ubuntu-women on freenode.

With a large strong minded and vocal group such as this, it was interesting to chair.  So many opinions and comments flying about and trying to keep it in order, with moving the discussion along and due to time constraints get the big topic of Governance covered. We have outlined the path we’re hoping to taking, nominating or putting yourself up consideration to be the team lead on this project.

We have asked the CC to chose one of us, once we’ve given them the list of candidates.  The reason for this, as we need some guidance to help the team, this is the only time the CC will have input into the choosing of a leader.  As we feel for the Lucid cycle this is needed, after 6 months the role of the leader shall be evaluated.  The process has been laid out here

Moving onto the topic of a logged channel and a separate channel lead to a  heated discussion.  A lot but not all Ubuntu channels are logged.  For me, personally I think it’s good to see. It is useful for people who don’t, or cannot irc and as a lot of discussions takes place on IRC rather than IRC it’s nice to be able to go back in and read the logs.   For those who suggested asking them for their logs, I’m sorry but for a new person who don’t know you or know to even ask it’s not really an option. If you exclude members of your project just because they don’t use IRC I don’t think that’s fair or what we should be doing.

I also have no trouble in saying stuff in a logged channel, if I don’t want it to be logged I consider, do I need to say it, if so, possibly say it in pm  or rephrase what I’m going to say. The notion of not having it  logged and logs coming up when you’re googled was mentioned, again, if you feel what you’ve said is ok, then you should have no problem with this, if you feel it may come back and bite you in the ass, then don’t say it. Simple as to be honest.

This got so heated, I found people to be extremely rude and rather off putting to be honest, bar I was chairing I’d have left. If anyone took time to come to the meeting, I’d expect their thoughts, words, opinions to be listened to the same way I would yours, regardless if I agree or disagree with them.  Being rude is off putting to work with and doesn’t endear me at all.  The logs by the way for the meeting are here.  It came up in a previous IRC meeting, this channel needs to be more respectful of others opinions being expressed in here.

The idea of a second channel came up at UDS, the naming of this alone cause hair ruffling, from #ubuntu-women-safe to -asside or renaming #ubuntu-women to #ubuntu-women-offtopic. Both the topic of Logging and a second channel has been/will be taken to the mailing list for further discussion.  To be decided at the next meeting.

I’d also like to state I’ll not be nominating myself for the Ubuntu-women Leader, as I don’t feel I’d be suitable, I’d be more black and white when it comes to a lot of things and  while I feel it’s needed in some cases, I know this will also piss some people off and that’s not going to help matters. (Though sometimes, being nice and trying to please everyone doesn’t always work). I wish others the best of luck with this and will help where I can.   I feel I can better help the project by encouraging people to join and take part and help where I can.  I look forward to working with the Ubuntu women for the lucid cycle and really strengthening the project.

I sat down on one of the quiet evenings this week and went through all of the Gobby documents from UDS and marked off where I had items actioned to me and made a list. Now I’m checking it twice and going to start working through things and crossing them off or adding to them if I need more detail. ( I like lists)

LoCo Directory – Event Feature
* ”’OBJECTIVE”’: Implement an event handing feature.
* ”’SUCCESS CRITERIA”’: LoCo teams can add events to be displayed on their LoCo directory page and view event information.
* ”’ACTIONS”’:
* Ability to add an event with the following attributes:
* Event type (Jam, Presentation, Tutorial, Release Party, Installfest, Other)
* Time
* Location
* Description
* Name
* Events are visible on LoCo pages and a master list of events.

While I don’t have anything assigned to this I am following this as I worked on this last May at UDS Karmic and this week I’m seeing more developments in the progress of this. With LoCos getting involved asking how they can help.  I think this kind of feature would help more LoCos organise their events and keep track of them for approval and for re approval if they can see what has been organised at a glance.

The reason behind this feature is, it’s very hard to keep track of attendance, I can say 8 people came and it could have been 12 or 6, if the feature of replying and adding your name to it, like you do for attending UDS then you can see who came to the event.  It’s also a way of see all LoCo events across the board on the one directory.

Ubuntu NGO

ACTIONs:
- Liaising with NGOs: – I’m working on finding more NGOs for Interviews, and also this week I’ve had people mail me saying they are doing some with their Local NGOs and will mail me the interviews, so we can get these back up and running.
• document painpoints, transform into papercuts: file as bug reports, tag with ‘ngo’ (laura) -  Worked on this during the week and sent mail to the NGO mailing list.
• Advocacy (need leader for this role) - I’ve added my name to this since UDS as has Penelope Stowe
-  list of existing foundations, other organisations that already work with NGOs
- list of conferences that NGOs attend specific to gathering technical assistance
- talk to docs team about help.ubuntu.com export (and other loco documentation) (Laura talk to Jim Campbell, Milo Casagrande) – Need to start on this
- talk to Server team about PHP packaging  ( laura to go talk to ask) – this is going to come under paper jams

Ubuntu Women

* ”’OBJECTIVE”’: Clarify the purpose of the #ubuntu-women channel.
* ”’SUCCESS CRITERIA”’: A set of channel guidelines clearly communicated to #ubuntu-women participants.
* ”’ACTIONS”’:
* Discuss a set of guidelines for general discussion channel about the Ubuntu Women project (Laura Czajkowski). – This will be taken to the mailing list due to time constraints from meeting held on the 8th December followed by another meeting.
* Document the agreed set of guidelines (Laura Czajkowski). – Going to work on a draft so we can work against something to discuss, as no point in just waffling without having somewhere as a base line to work from.
* Communicate guidelines outwards (Jono Bacon, Amber Graner, Laura Czajkowski). – Can only do this when the above is done

* ”’OBJECTIVE”’: Appoint a leader of the Ubuntu Women team, complete with codified expectations around the role. – Well this was discussed at the Ubuntu women meeting held. And we’ve come up with a process.
* ”’SUCCESS CRITERIA”’: A delegated leader in place for a set term length, complete with documented expectations around the role.
* ”’ACTIONS”’:
* Documenting expectations of the role (Amber / Laura). – This has been done on the wiki and with input in from the team during the meeting.

LoCo Council

I was elected to the LoCo Council, and during UDS I said I’d look into drafting a document with outlining the re approval process. Working on that today, once I read some of the email archives  as this is all new to me.

So the above is keeping me very quiet and busy at the moment, but loving it all the same!

In keeping with the Merry Chrismtas spirit and all, we’re going have an outing. For those who are interested, ICE SKATING, followed by some food and drinks in a local pub so we can laugh at who fell over and nurse our bruises!

Hope to see you all there! Bring along your kids if you like it’s not going to go on late!

Ice Skating in Smithfield Sunday 13th December Meet up the the ice rink for around 16.00, to start on the ice at 16:35.
Cost:
Adult   €12
Under 12 €8

Direction on how to get there:

Smithfield Ice Rink

Luas Smithfield Stop.

Dublinbikes. Smithfield Station

Pub: We are meeting at 18.00 at Pifko for some food and beer.

I’m feeing rather proud of my LoCo this evening.  We’re a small LoCo but rather tight knit.  I emailed out recently that Rory and Declan were going for their Ubuntu Membership, and I was asked on IRC how someone could show their support.  I simply put it, come along and cheer them on, or leave a comment on their wiki page.

There seems to be a little confusion here, as the impression was that only Ubuntu Members could leave testimonials. Well pish posh to that! If you’ve worked with someone or gotten help from them, found them to go that extra mile to help you, why not leave a comment on their wiki so they can see you appreciated the help and  show others how great this person is.

Remember if you have members going for their membership, be ready with your pompoms and cheer them on! Get behind them and support them!

Tonight Rory McCann and Declan McGrath went through their membership meeting and I’m very pleased to say they are now Ubuntu Members and brought the Irish Ubuntu Members number up to 5 ! Well done lads!