[Osia-members] On the future of OSIA (again)

[Andrew Yager]

Hi All,

Sorry for top posting. I guess I'm new skool. Or just lazy.

I'm thoroughly supporting of both Brendan and Cameron's comments below.

I'll add the following…

Being the director of an organisation carries a lot of responsibility for
the organisation, including legal responsibility. When working with a
representative body/NFP organisation - I would argue the responsibility is
all the more important as it is not only your reputation, but the
reputation of the sector. While it definitely is a great way to build
exposure and profile, there is also a responsibility for diligence and
concern for the affairs of the organisation. So while it's probably not
important to take it as seriously as you might take your "day job", you
need to make sure you do have sufficient time to exercise your diligence.
Don't volunteer if you are already time poor, stretched and don't have time
to do it.

Do volunteer because you are passionate about the contribution Open Source
technology makes. Do volunteer because you have benefited from open source
projects in your business and they have allowed you to buy food. Do
volunteer because you want to ensure that people are aware of the valuable
contribution Open Source technology makes to our technological environment.
Do volunteer because you are passionate about ensuring that bad, fear and
vendor driven policy doesn't become the benchmark for the way we evaluate
and accept technology. Do volunteer because you want to mobilise and
empower people to use and contribute to Open Source.

And think about what you could do. What you are already doing is a great
place to start.

That said, whatever happens we need better member/industry engagement. When
OSIA has had high levels of industry engagement it's worked well. When OSIA
has become the love child of the directors it has become a labour to run. I
know this first hand and personally. I don't know how to do this or make it
happen, but I can see that it's absolutely necessary.

Realise I'm throwing peanuts here. I don't even think we are officially
members any more… but if the organisation had life and enthusiasm we'd
gladly change that if we could help.

Thanks,
Andrew


On 12 January 2018 at 16:48, Cameron Shorter <cameron.shorter at gmail.com>
wrote:

> On 12/1/18 4:27 pm, Brendan Scott wrote:
>
> As OSIA does not have enough income to hire staff, individuals who are
>> thinking of working on the board should expect to be volunteering their own
>> time to further the interests of the members.  There is no sugar coating
>> that, although I think directors do benefit through the recognition they
>> receive. I think board positions can assist younger participants in the
>> sector to help grow their networks and would encourage them to nominate.
>>
>
> Brendan, I think there is a very compelling reason to join the OSIA board,
> and to expect to be doing work as part of the deal.
>
> "If you feel passionately about Open Source; if you want to promote Open
> Source and encourage its adoption; if you think you would be good at it; if
> you would like to amplify your voice in such promotion activities; then
> volunteering for the OSIA board is something you should seriously consider.
> Being on the OSIA board will provide a level of credibility to yourself and
> will likely help you in swaying others toward Open Source. If you just
> interested in collecting a 'glory title' then you are probably not the
> right person for the job."
>
> --
> Cameron Shorter
> Technology Demystifier, Learnosity
> Open Technologies Consultant
>
> M +61 (0) 419 142 254
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Osia-members mailing list
> Osia-members at lists.osia.com.au
> https://lists.osia.com.au/listinfo/osia-members
>
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