15:02:13 <spevack> #startmeeting FAD NA 2010
15:02:13 <zodbot> Meeting started Fri May 21 15:02:13 2010 UTC.  The chair is spevack. Information about MeetBot at http://wiki.debian.org/MeetBot.
15:02:13 <zodbot> Useful Commands: #action #agreed #halp #info #idea #link #topic.
15:02:45 <spevack> Welcome to FAD NA 2010
15:03:04 <spevack> #chair ianweller herlo rbergeron ke4qqq inode0
15:03:04 <zodbot> Current chairs: herlo ianweller inode0 ke4qqq rbergeron spevack
15:03:17 <ianweller> i has a chair
15:05:57 <spevack> #topic Events
15:06:14 <spevack> #link https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/FAD_NA_2010
15:07:15 <spevack> lcafiero is about to run us through a presentation he put together
15:07:18 <spevack> Link coming shortly
15:11:03 * rbergeron waves
15:11:38 <spevack> We've got folks like ke4qqq and herlo here who are part of event planning teams for larger conferences like Utah Open Source and Southeast LinuxFest
15:11:47 <spevack> As well as folks who do general Fedora event planning.
15:12:30 <ke4qqq> hi MooDoo - welcome
15:12:34 <spevack> * Events come in many shapes and sizes
15:12:36 <MooDoo> hello :D
15:12:39 <spevack> * Preparation is key to success
15:12:45 <spevack> * Lead up, event time, and wrap up
15:12:49 <spevack> * Doing a Fedora event
15:12:52 <spevack> * non-digital events
15:13:58 <ianweller> #link https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/FedoraEvents/Organization
15:14:07 <spevack> #link https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/How_to_organize_a_Fedora_event
15:15:04 <spevack> This page pretty much hasn't been touched in 2 years.
15:15:07 <spevack> THAT IS AWFUL
15:15:24 <ianweller> spevack: i nominate you to remove the "in the process of being rewritten" message ;)
15:15:45 <spevack> here's our slides -- http://mspevack.fedorapeople.org/fadna2010-events-lcafiero.odp
15:16:34 <spevack> Many shapes and sizes
15:16:47 <spevack> * Established events -- SCALE, LFNW, SELF, OSCON, UTOSC, etc.
15:16:54 <spevack> * Emerging events -- Texas Linux Fest
15:17:01 <spevack> * School-based events
15:17:02 <spevack> * LUGs
15:17:07 <spevack> * Fedora-based events
15:17:10 <spevack> * non-digital events
15:18:26 <ke4qqq> Max talking about how a list like above scales around the world
15:19:11 <ke4qqq> Decision within Fedora around presence is decided by Ambassador getting excited and having a presence.
15:20:53 <ke4qqq> are we ok with that decision - where people doing the work make the decision on what events we participate.
15:24:21 <makfinsky> spevack is leading the witness, your honor.
15:24:36 <makfinsky> :P
15:25:23 <spevack> Discussing the chicken-egg problem of "is an event like FOSDEM or UTOSC or SCALE a bit Fedora Events because the regional Ambassadors say that it needs to be, or is it a big event because Ambassadors are passionate about making it a big event?"
15:26:53 <spevack> ke4qqq points out that Fedora Ambassadors who have taken leadership for large events who want to give that leadership up for some reason should do so early and in public.
15:27:05 <spevack> Now we're looking at the Events page to see what it says about Event owners.
15:27:46 <spevack> inode0: it's important for Fedora to be present at events outside of its traditional comfort zone.
15:28:46 <stickster> Good point by ke4qqq -- in EMEA re: LinuxTag, Gerold's early announcement helped us be clear about where we might not be supporting a large community show
15:29:13 <spevack> stickster: yep, that's an example of "giving up an event done properly" that we just mentioned.
15:29:56 <stickster> spevack: Do folks at the FAD agree that we shouldn't be sending out a "negative announcement" about things like that? E.g., "Fedora will NOT be at $SHOW1, $SHOW2 this year"?
15:29:59 <herlo> #link http://www.dissociatedpress.net/2010/05/14/time-to-stop-preaching-to-the-converted/
15:31:02 <stickster> herlo: excellent. Also a point I made in a couple previous speeches too -- finding other communities or groups that might be open to free software, but may not care about it as an end unto itself
15:31:14 <herlo> stickster: that was from inode0 actually :)
15:31:23 <stickster> inode0: ^^ goes for you too :-)
15:31:33 <dgilmore> we need to send appropriate people to events
15:31:39 <rrix> i/win 24
15:31:41 <ianweller> < spevack> there are people who get hung up on the role of "ambassador"
15:31:43 <rrix> oopsy, hi
15:31:59 <dgilmore> i.e. mizmo to a design and graphics type event
15:32:01 <ianweller> if you are an outgoing person who spreads fedora, you are an ambassador
15:32:47 <ianweller> < spevack> it's why we call it the regional budget, not the regional ambassador budget
15:34:05 <spevack> Example cited of the Libre Graphics Meeting upcoming -- that's a Fedora Design event, that's a Fedora Ambassador event, etc.
15:34:11 <spevack> We're serving several purposes at the same time.
15:34:12 <makfinsky> Presence is part of the branding message.
15:34:24 <spevack> General values of an event:
15:34:36 <spevack> * Having regional contributors spend f2f time and feel re-energized.
15:34:49 <spevack> * Speaking opportunities -- branding, vision, establishing Fedora's Four Foundations in people's mind.
15:34:52 <spevack> * Recruitment.
15:36:27 <spevack> Discussion around reaching out to events outside of our comfort zone.
15:36:37 <spevack> ke4qqq emphasizes the importance of this.
15:36:52 <spevack> spevack agrees, stickster has said things in the past that show agreement to this.
15:37:12 <stickster> +1 yup.
15:37:13 <spevack> herlo mentions that one of the challenges is that it's pretty easy to organize the general community conferences that we do.
15:37:18 <spevack> ke4qqq:
15:37:32 <spevack> "do we want to set a specific goal for X events outside of our comfort zone"
15:37:44 <spevack> dgilmore: "what about taking the security spin to a security event, for instance?"
15:40:01 <spevack> inode0 states that he's not concerned if Fedora doesn't go to an event that it always goes to (like skipping a community conference) but is more interested in seeing a whole bunch of people say "wow, what is this new thing called Fedora that I'm looking at?"
15:40:04 <dgilmore> spevack: or at a graphics type event we could make a spin that has graphics tools and showcases it
15:41:27 <spevack> herlo: do we have an internal communication issue?  Why don't we get more requests from other parts of the project for things like the Libre Graphics Meeting, and wanting to go to those for (a) general enrichment and (b) spreading Fedora
15:44:21 <spevack> Strawman -- What if Fedora went to something like SXSW?  What do the logistics look like?  What are the goals?  The message becomes very targeted, and you don't do something like a standard booth.
15:48:34 <spevack> inode0: "How many great contributors have joined the project because of a personal interaction?  Someone who met Greg, admired him or his message, and joined as a result?"
15:50:43 <spevack> 
15:50:43 <spevack> 
15:50:44 <makfinsky> One of the conferences that I've really enjoyed watching the talks from are the TED conferences. www.ted.com. Perhaps getting a Fedora presentation given there might be an interesting future goal.
15:50:50 <spevack> Next slide -- Taking the Reins
15:50:57 <spevack> * "I'd like to take ownership of this event."
15:51:05 <spevack> * Contact/consult w/ regional ambassadors
15:51:15 <spevack> * Do you need an event box or vertical banners?
15:51:23 <spevack> * Make a wiki page for the event !!!!!
15:51:56 <spevack> * Publicize it on mailing list/IRC channel
15:52:00 <spevack> * Set the budget
15:52:02 <spevack> * Set the budget
15:52:08 <ke4qqq> I wonder if perhaps we originally set the wrong goal wrt activities/events.
15:52:17 <spevack> * Arrange for FAD/BoF/Speaking opportunities
15:52:22 <spevack> * Other activities
15:52:24 <makfinsky> ke4qqq: What might be a better goal?
15:52:49 <spevack> ke4qqq: wasn't the original goal of ambassadors "have a fedora presence at every important Linux event worldwide?"
15:52:56 <spevack> that was a good, ambitious, original goal.
15:53:03 <ke4qqq> spevack: originally it was
15:53:06 <ke4qqq> because we were doing nothing
15:53:11 <spevack> But it's not what the 2010 goal of ambassadors should be
15:53:17 <ke4qqq> perhaps that needs to change
15:53:43 <rbergeron> what defines "important"?
15:53:48 <ke4qqq> b/c I occasionally get the feeling we are spinning our wheels
15:54:45 <rbergeron> there are events that are important - and events that are (or should be) important to fedora in terms of either (a) reinforcing marketing / messaging or (b) focusing / targeting on specific swaths of new contributors
15:54:49 <rbergeron> new / likely
15:55:44 <ke4qqq> and inode0 is right - people like GDK showing up, and having conversations with people inspired them, made people want to get them involved
15:57:44 <ke4qqq> and we've had the idea of presence - and I think sadly always equated that with event booth
16:00:06 <makfinsky> OT: Setup a fedora classroom on how to be a fedora presenter. Capture with video and audio if posssible.
16:01:40 <makfinsky> Above suggested by herlo.
16:01:51 <ke4qqq> dgilmore: you're now in MY way :) but it's ok
16:02:11 * dgilmore plans to leave the room
16:02:12 <ke4qqq> you really don't have to move
16:02:25 <ke4qqq> as long as there is still meat to eat :)
16:04:35 <dgilmore> ke4qqq: you will get plenty
16:05:09 <makfinsky> Some formalization of event swag requests - a checklist or trac workflow might be a good way to ensure that event owners get the material they need for an event.
16:06:47 <spevack> herlo stresses the fact that events need to be FUN.
16:06:58 <spevack> especially for volunteers who are giving up their time.
16:07:20 <spevack> Value in learning, making contacts, meeting new people, etc.
16:07:24 <spevack> Promoting Fedora is only part of it.
16:07:29 <ke4qqq> herlo indicates nepotism and dancing are responsible for his jobs
16:07:44 * herlo kicks ke4qqq *hard* in the shins!
16:08:32 <spevack> #link https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Event_reports
16:10:15 <spevack> Everyone notes that Pierros'
16:10:25 <spevack> "Road to Ghana" blog posts are SUPERB, SUPERB, SUPERB event reports
16:10:27 <spevack> #link http://pierros.papadeas.gr/?p=116
16:10:52 <spevack> herlo: you mentioned diaspora.  http://xkcd.com/743/
16:14:43 <ianweller> we're talking about flyers for events
16:17:29 <ianweller> overall we're talking about how to host your own event
16:17:35 <ianweller> pre-event, event, and wrap-up
16:18:02 <ianweller> pre-event: secure site and organize volunteers, if needed / publicize event locally (fliers, etc) / arrange to get needed media and swag
16:18:15 <ianweller> event: be available, be on time, and have a good time promoting fedora -- have FUN
16:18:28 <ianweller> wrap-up: write reports, assess what worked/didn't work (post-mortem)
16:26:39 <spevack> Discussion of off the reservation events.
16:26:48 <spevack> * "Preaching to the choir" vs. "missionary work"
16:26:57 <spevack> * Non-digital events/promotional opportunities
16:27:06 <spevack> ** Farmers Markets -- "Organic Software"
16:27:09 <spevack> ** Festivale
16:27:28 <spevack> ** Leaving media/info in public places (libraries, pizza parlors, etc)
16:27:31 <spevack> ** Schools
16:27:33 <spevack> 
16:28:47 <rbergeron> I LOVE the organic software idea -- so freakin cool
16:28:56 <dgilmore> rbergeron: indeed
16:29:23 <ke4qqq> I wonder if that's a marketing campaign - esp with our focus on freedom
16:29:45 <rbergeron> max is enjoying himself.
16:29:46 <rbergeron> :)
16:30:22 <spevack> "Fedora -- get 'em while they are young!"  "Collect 'em all!"
16:31:10 <spevack> So..... what SPECIFIC THINGS do we want to DO?
16:31:31 <ke4qqq> +1 - what are goals and action items to take care of this - esp with hackfests this evening in mind
16:40:44 <spevack> #action Max -- convince Tiemann to give a TED talk that mentions Fedora
16:41:06 <spevack> #action David -- publicize opportunities for non-Ambassadors to participate in non-traditional events.
16:41:16 <spevack> This has now led to a conversation about (for instance) Akademy.
16:43:17 <spevack> #action Max -- Fedora-wide budget stuff.  There's money available for non-Ambassadorial events.  But we need people to be proactive.
16:44:24 <spevack> ke4qqq: "Why I am here?" (taken out of context)
16:44:43 <ianweller> spevack: heh
16:45:56 <spevack> "We want to spend money on you."
16:46:00 <spevack> We're investing in you.
16:46:38 <ianweller> spevack: please work on diplomatic immunity for fedora ambassadors
16:50:52 <spevack> #action Larry -- create event owner checklist
16:52:26 <spevack> #action Herlo -- spearheading the idea round audience-specific material
16:54:00 <spevack> What are Fedora's "member benefits"?
17:01:03 <herlo> lunch time
17:02:05 <spevack> #endmeeting