| scott5 | I’ll be moderating tonight and the format will be as follows: | 21:07 |
|---|---|---|
| scott5 | 1) Brief intro from the candidates | 21:07 |
| scott5 | 2) The moderated Q&A | 21:08 |
| scott5 | Well handle the questions by having anyone with a question direct message me that they have one and I'll prompt you in the order they came in by asking you to ask your question on the main channel. | 21:08 |
| scott5 | The candidates will take turns answering. The order will be varied to allow for everyone to have a turn being first. | 21:08 |
| scott5 | is that simple enough? | 21:08 |
| Scotts | ack | 21:08 |
| Trev71 | Works for me | 21:09 |
| +uphillian_ | syn/ack | 21:09 |
| +gbeech | +1 | 21:09 |
| +stevev | Sounds fine to me. | 21:09 |
| lanning | man, I thought it was going to be a free for all, with Donald! | 21:09 |
| Ssuehle | Make LOPSA great again? | 21:10 |
| scott5 | OK then. Let’s get started. First up for an intro: gbeech | 21:10 |
| +gbeech | I'm George Beech. I've been serving on the LOPSA board for the past two years. In addition to being a current board member, I have been working as an SRE at Stack Overflow for the past 5.5 years. I've been working as a Sysadmin/SRE for about 15 years. | 21:10 |
| scott5 | next: Brian G | 21:11 |
| +uphillian_ | s/George Beech/Thomas Uphill/ | 21:11 |
| split_horizon | Hi, I'm Brian Globerman. This would be my first time serving on the LOPSA board. | 21:11 |
| scott5 | Scott S is next | 21:11 |
| split_horizon | I have been member for past several years. Have been working as systems engineer/network admin for past 11 years | 21:12 |
| scott5 | Trevor T | 21:12 |
| Trev71 | I am Trev Thorpe, 45 years young, 14+ years in IT. I've done everything from Help Desk to System Administration to my current position VP of IT. | 21:12 |
| scott5 | Thomas U | 21:12 |
| Ssuehle | Hi I am the relative new blood here. I am a recovering service engineer. Current Community Manager for Cumulus Networks. Hoping to bring my community experience to the role. | 21:13 |
| scott5 | Your turn Thomas | 21:14 |
| scott5 | OK, Steve :) | 21:14 |
| uphillian__ | ok, try again | 21:14 |
| uphillian__ | using the web client... | 21:15 |
| uphillian__ | Thomas Uphill, I've been on the board one year, I help with Cascadia and SASAG mostly. I'm a sysadmin at Wells Fargo | 21:15 |
| +stevev | I'm Steve VanDevender. I've been on the LOPSA board for two years, a LOPSA member since 2006, worked for the University of Oregon for almost 20 years as a sysadmin, and have some years of sysadmin experience before that. | 21:15 |
| scott5 | Thanks for the intros. We have a first question from Warner. | 21:15 |
| scott5 | What's a unique skill that you could bring to the board outside of your experience as a System Admin? | 21:17 |
| scott5 | we’ll go in alphabetical order and rotate. George will be first this time around. | 21:17 |
| +gbeech | damn alphabet | 21:17 |
| +gbeech | I have a very strong organizational and planning skill. I like to plan things 5 or 6 steps ahead. I think the ability to plan and execute on that plan is a strong skill for a board member. In fact over the past two years I know that it is something a good board member does. Being able to balence work, life and the time it takes to volunteer as a board member is essential to being an effective person in general, but also an effective board member. | 21:20 |
| scott5 | brian? you’re next | 21:20 |
| split_horizon | Thank you. I would also call attention to my organizational, planning, and time management skills as key attributes that will help me be effective as a board member. I have found these skills served me well for the years I was president of a regional alumni chapter, where I was tasked with organizing events and increasing membership. | 21:22 |
| scott5 | Scott S? | 21:22 |
| Ssuehle | As I mentioned, I bring the experience as a community manager and feel this is a helpful aspect to help bring LOPSA forward. I believe that there is a lot of good here and I think it is a great base to build on. Growing the community and expanding the reach is a goal I would like to undertake. | 21:23 |
| scott5 | Trevor? | 21:23 |
| Trev71 | As far as a unique skill or set of skills that I may have that other candidates dont have, I am not sure I could list a single skill that answers that. I do very well with breaking down communication walls in various companies I have worked at, increasing department to department teamwork etc..However, that said, I do consider myself a really good jack of all trades. I tend to do well in most everything I set to work | 21:23 |
| Trev71 | on. I also dont shy away from tough or unwanted tasks that need be done or managed I get along with | 21:23 |
| Trev71 | that was an extra paste at the end :) disregard. | 21:24 |
| scott5 | was there something after get along with? | 21:24 |
| scott5 | ok | 21:24 |
| scott5 | Thomas? | 21:24 |
| uphillian__ | I would like to see the board do and sponsor more communication about sysadmin doings and | 21:26 |
| uphillian__ | I think my skill is communication, definitely not organization | 21:26 |
| scott5 | Steve? | 21:27 |
| +stevev | For 17 years I've taught an 8-week intro course in system administration for the U of O that has been successful at getting students excited about system administration and brought more people into the profession. Or, in other words, I've been good at explaining the profession to people unfamiliar with it and directly bringing new people into the community. | 21:27 |
| scott5 | OK, the next question is from Dan Rich | 21:28 |
| scott5 | What do you see as the biggest challenge for LOPSA in he next year and how would you address it? | 21:28 |
| scott5 | Brian? | 21:28 |
| split_horizon | I think the biggest challenge is to keep current members engaged, and to persuade sysadmins that are relatively new in their roles that LOPSA can make a significant difference in their career development. I believe engagement happens when people see value in this organization. | 21:30 |
| scott5 | Scott? | 21:31 |
| Ssuehle | Biggest challenge is to get everything organized and cleaned up. Bringing the different groups together and working on the unified front. Once together we can work towards our outreach and engaging the community in worthwhile ways. | 21:32 |
| scott5 | for those who came in late, anyone with a question should direct message me that they have one and I'll prompt you in the order they came in by asking you to ask your question on the main channel. | 21:32 |
| scott5 | next answer - Trevor | 21:33 |
| Trev71 | Great question Dan, the biggest challenge with LOPSA in the next year, quite honestly I cant answer that without a more thorough understanding of the goals. However, cruising through some of the board meeting notes on the wiki, it would appear that membership numbers and membership interaction seems to be an issue. Especially with the recent cancelling of a conference and the associated loss of capital. | 21:33 |
| Trev71 | How to address it, communication, and engagement jump to the top of the list for me. Lets get members engaged and work on communication avenues. Perhaps we need to take a look at the value of the membership, what do I get for my membership? Does that draw membership? Does that entice people to join and be active? | 21:33 |
| scott5 | Thomas? | 21:33 |
| uphillian2 | I think we will struggle to remain relevant | 21:34 |
| uphillian2 | Devops overshadows everything in this industry | 21:34 |
| scott5 | Steve? | 21:34 |
| +stevev | I think we really need to revive LOPSA-East (or PICC or whatever we want to call it) as well as maintain the success of Cascadia IT Conference. And that's going to take a lot of up-front planning and organization, starting now, as well as more support from the board (financial, logistical, and oversight) to make them happen. | 21:34 |
| scott5 | George? | 21:35 |
| +gbeech | OPSA is currently like a young professional. We have made great strides, survived some growing pains and come out the other side. Over the next year our greatest challenge will be to start to move onto the next phase of life as an organization. We will need to consolidate what we do, continue to support our programs and push forward while at the same time start to settle in. Now is a time to fully commit to the goals of being an educational and care | 21:35 |
| +gbeech | sigh didn't copy the L at the begining :( | 21:35 |
| scott5 | The next question is from me. What is one accomplishment you would like to have in your first year? | 21:36 |
| scott5 | Scott? | 21:36 |
| Ssuehle | Thanks! In the first year I would like to see our group build on the past and use that to help move forward. Thomas mentioned Devops overshadowing everything, but I do not feel it needs to be that way. I think we need to enhance our place in that world and show off how we fit in. | 21:39 |
| scott5 | Trevor? | 21:39 |
| Trev71 | I would like to help make a positive impact on the organization as a whole, via committees or other avenues. I dont feel listing a single achievement is what the organization really wants to hear, most organizations would not. The achievement I want to be associated with is, positive organization growth and direction via member engagement. | 21:40 |
| scott5 | Thomas? | 21:40 |
| uphillian2 | I would like to grow the cascadia conference | 21:41 |
| scott5 | Steve? | 21:41 |
| +stevev | Help ensure we have LOPSA-East in 2017. | 21:42 |
| scott5 | George? | 21:42 |
| +gbeech | I want to take the Mentorship program as it is right now and revamp it completely. There are many things that are done right with the program, but there is a ton of behind the scenes work that burns people out constantly. I want to bring the program into the 21st century by updating its processes, making it easier to find a mentor or mentee and “closing the loop.” When we close the loop on mentorship we get the opportunity to get feedback that w | 21:42 |
| scott5 | Brian? | 21:43 |
| cat-xeger | That sounds remarkable, gbeech; how exactly are you going to accomplish what nobody else has in the last 20 years? | 21:43 |
| theWarner | Please ask questions through the moderator. And to be fair, the mentorship program is not that old nor is LOPSA. | 21:44 |
| scott5 | Your answer is next Brian, not rushing, just letting you know that question is after you finish | 21:46 |
| split_horizon | I would agree with Thomas that CascadiaIT should expand, because of the value it provides. I would also ensure that monthly meetings continue as opportunity to hear talks and interact with other sysadmins. I would like to implement some question/answer forum on the website outside of scheduled meetings. I also agree that the mentorship progam needs to be strengthened, particularly to attract new sysadmins | 21:46 |
| split_horizon | CascadiaIT has been my point-of-entry into LOPSA, BTW | 21:47 |
| scott5 | And Cat’s question to George. Anyone other candidate with an answer feel free to chime in after George. | 21:48 |
| uphillian2 | Cascadia is in a precarious position by catering to a smaller crowd size, this is the problem with lopsa east as well. | 21:49 |
| uphillian2 | These are not large conferences, but they don't necessarily need to be as small as they are currently | 21:49 |
| split_horizon | Cat, is your question about mentorship program specifically or LOPSA in general? | 21:51 |
| +gbeech | There are many things that can be done to improve the mentorship program. The first is the update the current back end systems that are used for match making. This is a project that has been going off and off for a while. Currently we have a few volunteers who are willing to work with us and help code a new back end for the system once a few other of their life obligations have cleared up in the next 6 months. This new system will allow for more sel | 21:51 |
| uphillian2 | As for mentorship, I think our biggest hurdle there is taking the process out of email and into something live and modern | 21:51 |
| Ssuehle | defining the mentorship programs goals are something that could help. I have been a part of the Fedora Infra mentor program and it seems to work fairly well. There are parts there that could be used in our program. But first the membership base needs to be revitalized and empowered. | 21:51 |
| scott5 | Trev? you had a comment as well? | 21:51 |
| cat-xeger | Hopefully it's okay to followup here -- it's about the LOPSA mentorship program in specific, including past history with the SAGE mentorship program; I'd like to understand better what's going to get it to really work here. | 21:52 |
| Trev71 | Sure one sec | 21:52 |
| Trev71 | In reference to Cats note, Ill note that Im fresh meat here guys and gals, I cant tell you today what was done write or wrong in the last X years for program Y. However, my aim here it jump in with a fresh set of eyes, different experiences, different ideas, and a different mindset and help build the programs that members want and/or need. I may also be able to bring in some volunteers that can help with technical aspect | 21:52 |
| Trev71 | s (not a guarantee, but a probability). | 21:52 |
| +stevev | I would say that one area that is potentially encouraging is that our student membership is growing both in numbers and as a proportion of total membership. But we need to get better at connecting students with mentors. And we could probably use a lot more mentor volunteers. | 21:53 |
| uphillian2 | Being open to change is another good quality of our board to possess | 21:54 |
| Ssuehle | adapting to change and the ability to do something with that is what drives innovation and growth. | 21:55 |
| +gbeech | The fact is our mentorship progam HAS been working. The biggest problem is there is a massive amount of human work that doesn't need to be done by a human bottle knecking everything. I could probably talk for hours about the mentorship program but I don't think everyone here wants that. If you want feel free to email me or catch me on #lopsa at some point to discuss it deeply if you would like | 21:56 |
| uphillian2 | +1 | 21:56 |
| Trev71 | Not to undermine anyone here, but if your career is Information Technology, change needs to be in your blood. | 21:56 |
| uphillian2 | Also true | 21:56 |
| +gbeech | I don't know about you but all that is in my blood is caffine | 21:56 |
| Ssuehle | +1 | 21:56 |
| Trev71 | You win. | 21:56 |
| Trev71 | :) | 21:57 |
| +stevev | You have blood in your caffeine? | 21:57 |
| • nbrenckle: has cookies | 21:57 | |
| Ssuehle | nbrenckle, are you the dark side? | 21:57 |
| Trev71 | So, can I ask a general question to the members that are here? | 21:57 |
| scott5 | That commentary seems to be completed. Anyone else with a question? | 21:57 |
| scott5 | go ahead. | 21:58 |
| Trev71 | What is it that you want to see in your board? | 21:58 |
| scott5 | go ahead trevor that is | 21:58 |
| nbrenckle | Ssuehle - they are chocolate frosted so they have a dark side and a light side! | 21:58 |
| uphillian2 | The classic sysadmin that knows how to do backups isn't good enough anymore...that us the issue I see. Devops, or sysadmin that can do other stuff is where the focus needs to be... | 21:58 |
| Ssuehle | nbrenckle, Yes! | 21:58 |
| • uphillian2: does a lot of dev work lately though | 21:59 | |
| Ssuehle | I think we live in a world where SysAdmin is evolving into Devops. | 21:59 |
| nbrenckle | Trev71 - I would like to see more inclusion. | 21:59 |
| Trev71 | Thanks for those answers.. appreciated... | 21:59 |
| Ssuehle | Instead of separation, we embrace and show how we play in that world. | 22:00 |
| nbrenckle | I work with a bunch of traditional sysadmins. They draw a solid hard line between "systems" and "applications". That line is fading, quickly. | 22:00 |
| cat-xeger | I'd like to see concrete suggestions that I can reasonably expect to see progress on, and outcomes from; thus far, for the most part, the discussion has been more about buzzwords and airy ideas. | 22:01 |
| uphillian2 | That's the key, I think we need to be LODO, league of devops... | 22:01 |
| cat-xeger | In other words, talk is cheap -- what are you going to -do-. | 22:01 |
| +gbeech | I don't agree that System Administration is evolving into DevOps. DevOps is a marketing term. There is a need in the field for sysadmins that can code, can code well, or not so well. HOWEVER there is still a need for the classic system administrator. It is all degrees. We still need help desk. We still need the sysadmin that can glue systems together. We need the Sysadmin that can bridge Dev and ops. and we need the Sysadmin that can do the job of a | 22:01 |
| Trev71 | If you want more Marketing for Systems Admnistration -- we have a LinkedIn page to post and market with. | 22:02 |
| uphillian2 | I don't see that at all really | 22:02 |
| uphillian2 | Sysadmin only is not a job anymore | 22:02 |
| Trev71 | But yea, I don't agree Devops is 'taking over'. Indeed job search would disagree as well. | 22:02 |
| cat-xeger | (also, bringing up an old, old thread -- there are a huge variety of specializations in system administration; they're not better or worse, jsut different focus) | 22:02 |
| uphillian2 | Mom and pop maybe | 22:02 |
| nbrenckle | gbeech - thats why I said inclusive :-) We need the traditional, and the new style. | 22:02 |
| +gbeech | nbrenckle: +1 | 22:02 |
| Trev71 | Cat - well said. | 22:03 |
| split_horizon | would something like League of IT Professionals be more appropriate as devops role expands? | 22:03 |
| Ssuehle | cat-xeger, Ok, so we get involved in the devops meetups in our areas and recruit. We goto smaller regional events and recruit. And once we do that then we look at universities and other areas where there are a large groupings of our people and recruit. | 22:03 |
| Trev71 | Vmware? Windows? Linux? Mac? Switching/Routing/Jack of all trades/Server Admin... | 22:03 |
| uphillian2 | The new stuff brings more people to conferences IMHO | 22:03 |
| Ssuehle | Outside of that we work on presentations and educate. | 22:03 |
| uphillian2 | Jack/Jane of all trades is key | 22:04 |
| cat-xeger | Ssuehle - okay ... we get more new members and do a bunch of writing... what's the goal of this? More members? Sharing knowledge? | 22:04 |
| uphillian2 | My goal is to learn more, I hope that's the goal for most IT people | 22:05 |
| Ssuehle | both, as stated we have a diverse group of members that have knowledge in a lot of areas. We need to encourage the sharing of that knowledge with others in a way that showcases our talents. | 22:05 |
| Trev71 | "a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattere through a larger society" -- seemed to be part of the "goal". | 22:06 |
| Trev71 | -- spelling error noted, it was a copy paste job from the LOPSAgram.. someone gets 2 demerits. | 22:06 |
| Ssuehle | Blog about it, presentations, tweet random tips through out the day, engage the people listening and get the word of mouth moving. | 22:06 |
| uphillian2 | Inclusion of more types of sysadmin, sharing of Windows knowledge with networking and Unix, I know we tend to be Unix heavy | 22:07 |
| cat-xeger | Pretend that I'm being extra specially dense. What's in it for me, or for my coworker down the block? How are you going to get me motivated and excited? (why should I be?) | 22:07 |
| uphillian2 | Knowledge | 22:07 |
| Trev71 | But - that knowledge is, can be, free. | 22:08 |
| uphillian2 | Particularly if you have a local, the small talk size makes it an excellent place to learn new tech and be able to ask questions real time | 22:08 |
| Trev71 | So, what can we offer? great question. | 22:08 |
| split_horizon | regular interaction with peers outside of conferences, maybe hear a talk at a local meeting you wouldn't have gone to otherwise at a conference | 22:08 |
| nbrenckle | Camaraderie? | 22:08 |
| uphillian2 | Neah, don't like people | 22:09 |
| nbrenckle | Arent you running for election? ;-) | 22:09 |
| cat-xeger | 'local meeting'? Would that be 500 or 800 miles away? ;D | 22:09 |
| uphillian2 | Locals are very important, we need more of those...but we need volunteers willing to work on them | 22:10 |
| Trev71 | cat-xeger what would entice you to bring a coworker in ? | 22:10 |
| split_horizon | I hope most people have local meetings closer than 500/800 miles | 22:10 |
| uphillian2 | Many don't | 22:10 |
| Ssuehle | cat-xeger, "in it for me" is education on a level that is accessible to everyone. see what we have to offer and then engage for content that users would like to see. We can come up with the basic schedule of education but also build in times and spots for requested offerings. If we do not have people geared to what is asked for then we work to explore what is wanted and showcase the findings. | 22:10 |
| uphillian2 | That is a good point, and we likely need more entry level talks as well | 22:11 |
| Ssuehle | cat-xeger, local meeting can be blue-jeans, webex, online platform dejour. | 22:11 |
| cat-xeger | So -- I'm going to answer the question about my coworker in two directions. For a junior coworker, it's entirely possible that they'd find useful things in the various mailing list and online discussions. | 22:11 |
| uphillian2 | I would see if that would work, we could definitely try broadcasting | 22:12 |
| Trev71 | Technical forums? A script library for members only ? Heavy discount at online training IE: pluralsight or cbtnuggets? | 22:12 |
| cat-xeger | ... so I'd likely point them in that direction, likely (and ideally) along with at least one LISA | 22:12 |
| cat-xeger | That said, I have no idea why I'd point a senior coworker at LOPSA, unless they were the truly odd sort that had copious free time available. | 22:13 |
| Ssuehle | gather useful scripts and such on Github(lab) | 22:13 |
| Ssuehle | have tags on blogs for technical levels | 22:13 |
| uphillian2 | Make them a mentor | 22:13 |
| +stevev | I'd say that LOPSA is trying to make conferences that are like the "gateway drug" to LISA, smaller, cheaper, more affordable, more oriented toward early-career sysadmins. | 22:13 |
| cat-xeger | -why-? Why should I tell my senior coworker to go an be a mentor? Is it for the warm fuzzy satisfaction? | 22:14 |
| uphillian2 | More affordable is a big problem | 22:14 |
| +gbeech | I think that we need to focus more on the local/small local conferences the ability to meet new people in our field. To be able to get together with others in the field but not of your office and talk over interesting problems | 22:14 |
| Trev71 | My gosh we could leverage the skill sets here and build our own 'members only' tools.... the sky is the limit. | 22:14 |
| Ssuehle | warm fuzzies are great, but there is also the question of do they see that they have something to share and a desire to be a mentor | 22:15 |
| +stevev | cat-xeger: Teaching (being a mentor) is a great way to learn communication and documentation skills. | 22:15 |
| nbrenckle | cat-xeger - thats kinda the only reason to be a mentor. For the warm fuzzies. | 22:15 |
| uphillian2 | For me, I realized I didn't really know things as well as I thought I did until I had to mentor someone...you find out quick "don't believe all you think" | 22:15 |
| Ssuehle | we are not here to force it, but encourage it | 22:15 |
| cat-xeger | Briefly being a total and complete wet blanket, could the folks up for election comment about liability and risk? | 22:15 |
| +gbeech | interesting problems that they have not been thinking about all day. That said, we need to produce a framework to give to people that want to start up locals and give them a path to success. | 22:15 |
| +stevev | nbrenckle: I disagree, mentorship is a great career skill builder. | 22:15 |
| +gbeech | cat-xeger: liability and risk in what context? | 22:15 |
| cat-xeger | "I write a script for the private archive; it somehow erases all of your files" | 22:16 |
| split_horizon | I would be a mentor because I have a teaching background, and find my understanding of technical topics increases when I figure out how to explain it to someone just starting out | 22:16 |
| +gbeech | Not everyone enjoys being a mentor. It takes a certain set of soft skills and a certain mindset to be one | 22:16 |
| uphillian2 | That is a big problem... conferences should be engineered so that they benefit our members not hotels in garden states | 22:16 |
| Ssuehle | Liability and risks come with everything but in this case it is limited as it is a volunteer program and not a certified program. | 22:16 |
| split_horizon | I also have a vast repertoire of career mistakes I would like to leverage for someone else to avoid | 22:17 |
| uphillian2 | Or lead them down the path and laugh, either way | 22:17 |
| uphillian2 | Still entertainment | 22:17 |
| +gbeech | cat-xeger: As-Is disclaimer which i think most open source licenses contain | 22:17 |
| nbrenckle | Having taken many classes from first time college professors, I do not enjoy being someone elses 'learning mistake'. | 22:18 |
| nbrenckle | That said, we were all new instructors at some point. | 22:18 |
| uphillian2 | Another good reason for locals...give speakers the opportunity to practice | 22:19 |
| +stevev | In a lot of ways teaching is figuring out how to let people make survivable mistakes in a forgiving environment so they really can learn. | 22:19 |
| Ssuehle | we are not here to be mentors in the way of writing scripts for the menties, but to encourage the learning of what tools are there, what reference material there is, and share past experience. Not to do their work for them. | 22:19 |
| +gbeech | Personally I see locals as a path to our regional conferences which are a path to larger conferences if someone would like to speak | 22:19 |
| uphillian2 | +1 | 22:19 |
| +gbeech | getting into a large conference the first time is HARD especially with little to no previous experience speaking anywhere | 22:20 |
| nbrenckle | Nicely said Ssuehle. | 22:20 |
| nbrenckle | Gbeech - encouraging people to speak at meetings is a great thing to do. Everyone knows something that others do not. | 22:20 |
| +gbeech | Yep. and honestly talking in front of your friends in a small setting like a local is a ton of fun (for me at least) | 22:22 |
| cat-xeger | So -- I'm hearing a lot about the environments that y'all are familiar with, and how you want to expand them -- what about folks like me, that -aren't- anywhere near your environments? | 22:23 |
| uphillian2 | I'd like to see more locals first, maybe streaming as a secondary goal | 22:24 |
| Ssuehle | cat-xeger, as I mentioned. Remote meetings can be a great way. I know Docker has an online meetup to share topics that have been talked about in local events. | 22:24 |
| cat-xeger | Y'all are also talking a lot about spending money, but not so much about getting it. | 22:24 |
| +gbeech | I'm curious as to what you would see as good value? | 22:24 |
| nbrenckle | Skype? IRC? NOVA-Lug meets on Google+ (or whatever its called) every month. | 22:24 |
| +gbeech | I can talk all day of ideas but what would YOU like to see done that you would see value in | 22:24 |
| Ssuehle | bluejeans is an open source meeting platform | 22:24 |
| Ssuehle | github(lab) is open | 22:25 |
| uphillian2 | I don't think our expenses should be very great either way...I'd like to not see us make a lot of money. I want the conferences to break even if possible | 22:25 |
| Ssuehle | talking at local events is mostly free. | 22:25 |
| Ssuehle | it costs us time | 22:25 |
| Ssuehle | but does not always need to cost money | 22:25 |
| +stevev | Cascadia has actually made us a little money in the past few years. | 22:26 |
| uphillian2 | We need to support the locals with time and guidance, maybe a few tools too like a speakers bureau and a meetup account | 22:26 |
| cat-xeger | gbeech - I'm trying to come up with something; Ssuehle - talking at local events may be 'free' as in 'free beer', but it's not 'free' as in 'no cost' | 22:26 |
| Ssuehle | I don't play with pay to play events. If I need to pay to speak it is not a good ROI. | 22:27 |
| Ssuehle | If you mean travel to conferences, then yes there is a cost but it depends on the event and what can be gained? | 22:27 |
| Ssuehle | I travel for work some and if it can be worked out to piggy back on that it is win-win | 22:28 |
| uphillian2 | Yes, cascadia made money, but if we want it to remain good value we need to reduce the ticket price and reduce the costs. | 22:28 |
| Ssuehle | meetups are free | 22:28 |
| Ssuehle | lugs are free | 22:28 |
| uphillian2 | Nope | 22:29 |
| cat-xeger | So -- in order to speak well, you'd hope that the speaker's put time into deciding what to say; attendees are making time to be there (time is money), the space to speak in comes from somewhere -- it's not without cost, just possibly without costs you're clear about. | 22:29 |
| uphillian2 | 14.9/month | 22:29 |
| uphillian2 | Meetup is definitely not free | 22:29 |
| Ssuehle | I mean going to established meetups | 22:29 |
| uphillian2 | Somebody has to pay them | 22:29 |
| Ssuehle | I am familiar with the cost of meetups if we are to build ours | 22:29 |
| uphillian2 | Which is a cost the central organization can absorb | 22:30 |
| Ssuehle | I have talked at a couple that are not mine and never been asked to pay to speak at them | 22:30 |
| uphillian2 | Space rental I don't think we can | 22:30 |
| cat-xeger | "the central organization" ? That sounds a lot like "ask mom/dad" | 22:30 |
| uphillian2 | I think that's the benefit, some larger organization that buys in bulk | 22:31 |
| +stevev | I think we see LOPSA as a resource for locals, someone who can help them with funding, organization, volunteers, etc. to help get them going. | 22:31 |
| scott5 | Not trying to cut the flow and exchange of ideas, but I think the formal portion of this has gone out the window. It’s 10:30 Eastern and we have another of these coming up, so why not save a couple of questions (and answers) for that one? | 22:31 |
| +stevev | Not as a "mom/dad" to get permission from. | 22:32 |
| uphillian2 | More like a friendly uncle? | 22:32 |
| +stevev | The grandparent who slips them a quarter? | 22:32 |
| Ssuehle | yes time is money but if we want a successful organization then we need to be ready to spend some of that to make it be one. Our commitment and choice to run for the board means we are willing to do that. If you are not then you will never fully be engaged in the organization. | 22:32 |
| +stevev | Anyway, I have to take off in a few minutes and I intend to be at the next #lopsa-live as well. | 22:32 |
| +gbeech | speaking of. It is bed time for me. Thanks everyone for the questions and thanks Scott for moderating. | 22:33 |
| Trev71 | scott5 I appreciate that effort, some of us have work in the morning :) | 22:33 |
| uphillian2 | Thanks | 22:33 |
| cat-xeger | Thanks guys -- it's been interesting. | 22:33 |
| Ssuehle | scott5, thank you for this | 22:33 |
| Trev71 | however, I would love to carry the conversation to another time.. it's been a good read thus far.. absorbing. | 22:33 |
| split_horizon | Appreciate everyone's time this evening | 22:33 |
| scott5 | Thanks for participating everyone. I hope the next one will be as entertaining. | 22:33 |
| Trev71 | Thanks everyone - for the questions and of course for some of the passionate chat :) | 22:34 |
| theWarner | Thanks to the board and membership for participating. | 22:34 |
| split_horizon | Thanks scott5 | 22:34 |
| theWarner | Thanks to Scott and Andy as part of the Leadership Committee for getting this going. | 22:34 |
| theWarner | Be sure to come to the next session! | 22:34 |
| +stevev | Thanks everybody! | 22:34 |
| Ssuehle | cat-xeger, I would be interested in hearing more from you on your questions. feel free to ping me if you want to chat more. | 22:35 |
| cat-xeger | Thanks Ssuehle! I'll consider -- and I'm also generally around in #lopsa, although not always paying attention. | 22:36 |
| • Ssuehle: nods | 22:37 | |
| vt102 | good conversations! | 22:37 |
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