FAmSCo election 2011 nominations

= FAmSCo 2011 elections =

Candidates must be a member of the Ambassadors group in the Fedora Accounts System. This helps ensure that FAmSCo members have some experience with the processes of Fedora Ambassadors, but still allows relatively new contributors to sit on FAmSCo and bring fresh ideas to the table.

Ambassadors will be following the Fedora election timeline.

You may self-nominate. If you wish to nominate someone else, please consult with that person ahead of time.

= Nominations =

Clint Savage (herlo)

 * Please briefly describe your history with Fedora.
 * I started with the Fedora Project in 2007. Shortly thereafter, I attended FUDCon Raleigh in February 2008, where I was introduced to Max Spevack, Paul Frields, Michael DeHaan, Stephen Smoogen and many others. Their excitement about Fedora and its future really got me interested in the project.
 * I am currently a Fedora Ambassador mentor and have been since its inception. Most of my mentoring these days is with other mentors, as I believe it is good to step aside after a while and let others find a good way forward.
 * Previously, I managed the media production for the North American region, saving a dramatic amount of costs and improving the process to get the media out to contributors quickly with the famnarequests Trac instance.
 * I have been on the fudcon planning committee for the past two years. My goal is to help get the t-shirts designed and help with some additional sessions as well.

As I see it, FAmSCo is about making sure that ambassadors can get things done. My plan with FAmSCo is to help break down some barriers to doing just that and I see that there are some really good opportunities we are currently not taking advantage. I'd also like to help the Ambassadors broaden horizons and integrate more with the other teams and other communities where applicable, growing both the concept of what it means to be a Free Software Ambassador as well as a Fedora Ambassador
 * Why do you want to be a member of FAmSCo?

FAmSCo's job in my view is to serve the greater community. I'm one to believe that the Ambassadors in their regions generally know what is going on better than FAmSCo ever will. I'd like to help provide general guidelines while enabling Ambassadors and the greater community better ways to spread knowledge and information about Fedora and Free Software.
 * What is the proper role for FAmSCo in a global project like Ambassadors?

As a candidate it is easier for you if I mention my vision clearly, that shows mainly How I see and What I ll do as a member of the FAmSCo if I am elected.
 * What are your particular goals related to FAmSCo?
 * Lowering barriers to becoming an Ambassador. I do think that the Join process is good, and I had a large hand in it, but I'd like to make the process easier to complete for both the Mentors and the Candidates.
 * Getting out of the way of good things. FAmSCo should provide a good set of guidelines and let the Ambassadors get things done!
 * Provide resources for all regions quickly, and as transparent as possible. FAmSCo is about helping the Ambassadors do their job. Each region has its specific challenges and FAmSCo should be meeting regularly to address these issues. Additionally, the meetings should be as transparent as possible, meaning meeting notes, public IRC meetings with Q&A and possibly even a regular 'office hours' for Ambassadors to come and get resolution.

I believe Ambassadors are doing much more than they used to in the past, which is amazing. I do think there are many more ways FAmSCo can improve and grow the Ambassadors program.
 * What would you change about the way Ambassadors is run?
 * Lowering the barriers to joining the Ambassadors group. Improving the join process, helping mentors understand "what's next" and how to get a prospective Ambassador going quickly.
 * Better response times for requests from Ambassadors and community members. It's hard to judge this and say that there is any problem really, it just seems there could be some process improvement to getting Ambassadors resources they need to put the best food forward.

Overall, I think FAmSCo and the Ambassadors programs are amazing. With a steady hand and good guidance from FAmSCo leadership, sharing the Fedora story can be easier and easier for anyone who's interested. It is my hope that I can help make a difference by providing this good guidance along with others who have stepped up here, knowing it will be a rewardingly tough job.
 * Final Notes

Herlo 18:29, 5 November 2011 (UTC)

Rejaul Islam

 * I started with Fedora Marketing group and then joined with the Ambassador group. I expanded the Fedora Project in Bangladesh, that makes the local community stronger and also working with APAC ambassadors towards a strong community by assisting them.
 * The FAms Way, classroom series is also initiated by me.


 * I want to be a member of FAmSCo
 * Ambassador Group is the main part of the FAmSCo. I want to make the FAmSCo, a place which is more attentive, sensitive, responsive and assisted to ambassadors and their needs. Now most of the students are used Fedora in Bangladesh. Few days ago i distribute 700 DVD's Fedora 15 in the students.


 * My particular goals related to FAmSCo
 * My particular goals related to FAmSCo should be keep in touch with regional meetings and ML. When ever ambassadors ask for help, FAmSCo should try to assist fast and effectively. The FAmSCo members can be easily contacted via IRC or Emails.


 * I would change about the way Ambassadors is run
 * FAmSCo needs to improve the resources & allocate the budget also maintains the mentoring process successfully.

Buddhika Chandradeepa Kurera (bckurera)

 * Please briefly describe your history with Fedora.
 * I started with Free Media group and then joined with the Ambassador group. Since then I am contributing to Design Team, Marketing Team and Localization work as well.
 * Locally, I have organized some events including release parties and fedora events (I wasnt able to organize a FAD, so no FAD took places in Sri Lanka yet). I represent the Fedora project in events and initiated the fedora local communityLK_Community and working for that.
 * I expanded the Fedora project in University level locally, that makes the local community stronger and also working with APAC ambassadors towards a strong community by assisting them.
 * I manage APAC Bi-weekly and APAC Special meetings (in every week) with dramsey and tuanta.
 * The FAms Way, classroom series is also initiated by me.

FAmSCo is playing a major role with in the Ambassador Group, indeed they set the path to proceed. First, the main aim is to support the Ambassador Group. I need to provide a dedicated, effective support which Ambassadors need. Another thing is to improve the project, it is worth to get the ambassadors involvement. I would like to be a part of the team and be an active part of decision making process which lead shaping the project. Further I want to make the FAmSCo, a place which is more attentive, sensitive, responsive and assisted to ambassadors and their needs.
 * Why do you want to be a member of FAmSCo?

The main role of the FAmSCo is to provide the support that Ambassadors seek. The support should be fast and it should be effective. Such a support keeps the global ambassador effect active and useful. Therefore FAmSCo as the hub, should provide assistant and resources and ensure the ambassadors are getting what they need, when they need. Being align with the team is another very important role that FAmSCo should play. FAmSCo should be very sensitive with the ambassadors. Should identify their needs, ideas, thoughts and try to facilitate, encourage and even try to get novel ideas to shape the team and as well as the project. FAmSCo govern the ambassador team and as well as act as the central hub which connects other entities as well.
 * What is the proper role for FAmSCo in a global project like Ambassadors?

As a candidate it is easier for you if I mention my vision clearly, that shows mainly How I see and What I ll do as a member of the FAmSCo if I am elected.
 * What are your particular goals related to FAmSCo?
 * FAmSCo should be very responsive/ sensitive - As I have noted earlier FAmSCo should be sensitive with the ambassador group. They should have a proper understanding what is happening with in the group, regionally and what assistant they need and when.
 * FAmSCo should be very attentive - FAmSCo should be keep in touch with regional meetings and ML. When ever ambassadors ask for help, FAmSCo should try to assist fast and effectively. For most FAmSCo members can be easily contacted via IRC or Emails.
 * FAmSCo should be very motivational - Members in the group working hard to spread the word Fedora over the globe, FAmSCo should identify their effort and motivate them to reach higher. The best way to motivate is to be sensitive and assist them on time.
 * Develop the regions country wisely - As an ambassador in my experience I know the best way to make the region stronger is to develop the communities country wise. This practice is applicable to any region. Therefore first develop the communities country wisely and that helps to make the region stronger. Having frequent meetings and getting their participation ensures that ambassadors are keep in touch with the project and what is happening. Through the process, it is possible to spread the project and make it stronger. Because it expand the project and supply new contributors as well.

Overall the ambassador group is running well. There are few things we need to make up. Bckurera 17:10, 5 November 2011 (UTC)
 * What would you change about the way Ambassadors is run?
 * More interaction is needed with in the group, so that we can encourage the ambassadors to participate to meetings and the FAmSCo can help them to make the meeting successful being actively engaging with those.
 * It is required to develop and make strong the fedora communities countrywide, it is possible to use FADs (more FADs) for that and later when we have strong communities so we can have FUDCons in various countries with in regions covering most of the parts.

Neville A. Cross (yn1v)

 * Please briefly describe your history with Fedora.
 * Fedora User since 2006 contributor since 2008
 * Ambassador, Freemedia coordinator, marketing, Mentor for Ambassadors, for some time helped wit Fedora Weekly News and currently FAmSCo.
 * Spreading Fedora all over Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama and mainly, my home country, Nicaragua)
 * Community Credit Card. I have one of those... I help with that and I deal with all the paperwork.


 * Why do you want to be a member of FAmSCo?
 * Empower other collaborators (not just Ambassadors) to do things for Fedora
 * Spread the idea that we have to reach out other fields to get new collaborators with new skills and perspectives.


 * What is the proper role for FAmSCo in a global project like Ambassadors?
 * Help others to act locally


 * What are your particular goals related to FAmSCo?
 * Help the appropriate use of budget
 * Help collaborators where there has been problems to allocate resources to get those resources. Divulgate how to get those resources.
 * Promote more initiatives for training ambassadors and others king of workshops for collaborating with Fedora


 * What would you change about the way Ambassadors is run?
 * FAmSCo needs more discipline with meeting schedule.
 * More transparent on FAmSCo agenda (we know what we are going to address at any given meeting, but it is no obvious to the public)

Igor Soares (igorps)

 * Please briefly describe your history with Fedora.
 * I started contributing to the Brazilian Portuguese Translation Team back in 2006. A year later I was coordinating the translation team and was invited to join the Ambassadors project where I started to work closely with local contributors from different parts of Brazil. I maintained the Fedora BrOffice.org Spin and helped on internationalization testing. In late 2009 I resigned the coordination of the translation team and now I have been concentrating my efforts on the Ambassadors project since then.
 * I have been attending to major FOSS events in LATAM such as FISL and Latinoware in the past four years. I also have attended to FUDCon Porto Alegre, FUDCon Santiago, FUDCon Tempe and FUDCon Panama.
 * In 2010 I was elect to FAmSCo and now I'm running for reelection.


 * Why do you want to be a member of FAmSCo?
 * Because I want to improve how FAmSCo works by using the lessons I've been learning on the current term.


 * What is the proper role for FAmSCo in a global project like Ambassadors?
 * FAmSCo should support Fedora ambassadors not only with budget but also with guidance, fostering the best practices of transparency, accountability and commitment within the wider Fedora community.


 * What are your particular goals related to FAmSCo?
 * FAmSCo has a long way to improve how its members communicate. Improving that is my main concern for the next term.
 * FAmSCo members should be aware of cultural differences between regions and cultures what does not mean that good local initiatives can't be used in different places. Exchange of experiences is something that I would like to foster between FAmSCo members.


 * What would you change about the way Ambassadors is run?
 * Ambassador is a pretty solid project with a good mentoring process. Even so we need to make sure that we proper allocate the budget and resources to provide a continuous improvement cycle.

Shakthi Kannan (mbuf)

 * Please briefly describe your history with Fedora.
 * Fedora User since 2008
 * Help maintain Fedora Electronic Lab spin
 * Assist in packaging for Fedora Haskell SIG
 * Mentoring newbies through Fedora Ambassadors membership
 * Present(ed) Fedora and free/open source software at numerous (un)conferences and institutions


 * Why do you want to be a member of FAmSCo?
 * To help channelize the interests of newbies and wannabe Fedora enthusiasts with the Fedora sub-projects
 * To be able to reach out to a wider audience across time zones


 * What is the proper role for FAmSCo in a global project like Ambassadors?
 * To maintain, improve a healthy, productive relationship between contributors, and the Fedora project


 * What are your particular goals related to FAmSCo?
 * Deliver down-to-earth, hands-on workshops for newbies and wannabe Fedora contributors
 * Teach newbies the Fedora way of doing things


 * What would you change about the way Ambassadors is run?
 * Have a semi-formal mentoring workflow to assist newbies into getting things done with Fedora sub-projects

Zoltan Hoppar (Zoltanh7211)

 * Please briefly describe your history with Fedora.
 * Fedora User since Fedora Core 6/7 release
 * Hungarian L10n translation team member and team coordinator/leader since 2008
 * The first Hungarian Ambassador and community leader from 2009 - gathering and build our fragmented community
 * Aiding the new Hungarian ambassadors and contributors from beginning
 * Swag researcher, swag designer and creator (T-shirts, mugs, desk flags, stickers)
 * Working closely with the Insight team - brainstorming with Peter Borsa (Asrob)
 * I like to represent Fedora everywhere (at events, on the go) and it's FOSS software's as I did and do whenever I could


 * Why do you want to be a member of FAmSCo?
 * Because I would like to support our ambassadors, the events, and aid the infrastructure get an healthy and growing community. I would like to be given the opportunity to be the part of this leadership, and help to grow the central/eastern European countries.


 * What is the proper role for FAmSCo in a global project like Ambassadors?
 * Coordination within the events, newbies, existing community members, contributors, money - and at many parts of the infrastructure related flows
 * Communication and prevent burn-out, and keep alive an passionate and innovative community through the ambassadors


 * What are your particular goals related to FAmSCo?
 * Help to grow the presence of central/eastern European countries
 * Improve infrastructure and communication within EMEA, and have more experience sharing within the regions, and teams
 * Build, and keep alive an passionate and innovative community though the ambassadors
 * Get new SOP's where is missing, and correct it where is needed


 * What would you change about the way Ambassadors is run?
 * I would like all Ambassadors to actively contribute in whatever ways that is possible. Is that no so hard, and needs to be demystified - because every idea can bring us new things, and improvements. There is no such thing that only this or that group could do, but mentoring or re-mentoring can be important. Also I would like to ensure that communication is the most important before something goes wrong, turns to passive, or burn-out. I also want to ensure that whoever becomes a Ambassador has a strong hold on all the important details, including milestones, successes and failures in Fedora and at least be aware of whom to redirect when they get a question they do not know the answer to.

Truong Anh Tuan (tuanta)

 * Please briefly describe your history with Fedora.
 * Fedora User since the first Fedora (Core 1) released, 2003 (before that, I had used Red Hat Linux for about 3-4 years)
 * Fedora Contributor since 2009
 * Initialized and maintained the first Fedora mirror in Vietnam: http://virror.hanoilug.org/#fedora since 2009
 * Organized a lot of Fedora Release Parties around the country since Fedora 11 (that's also one of three best Fedora 11 release parties worldwide: http://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-ambassadors-list/2009-August/msg00151.html)
 * Founded Fedora Vietnam community with dedicated community website and mailing list since 2010
 * Co-chaired/Co-organized Fedora Ambassadors APAC bi-weekly meetings since 2010
 * Started maintaining Fedora package with ibus-unikey, a keyboard for Vietnamese (and planning for further more ones) this year
 * Represent Fedora at a lot of conferences and tech events


 * Why do you want to be a member of FAmSCo?
 * Improve collaboration inside Ambassadors group as well as between Ambassadors and others, following these good suggestions from Max: http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/ambassadors/2011-October/018319.html


 * What is the proper role for FAmSCo in a global project like Ambassadors?
 * Coordinate ambassadors in regions and countries
 * Support ambassadors to run their own events and other activities
 * Coordinate with Fedora leadership and CommArch for budget and reimbursement


 * What are your particular goals related to FAmSCo?
 * Connect ambassadors among countries and regions better; support local ambassadors to make regional meetings more effective (e.g. more people involved, more effective discussions, faster from thoughts to actions, etc.)
 * Make budget budget/fund review, approval, usage and reimbursement faster and more effective


 * What would you change about the way Ambassadors is run?
 * Collaborate better between FAmSCo and ambassadors in regions and countries as well as among ambassadors
 * Make sure FAmSCo members got free ice cream at FUDCon (of course! work should be fun; and meeting people must be one of the funnest things in contributing to FOSS :)

Caius Chance (kaio)

 * Please briefly describe your history with Fedora.
 * RHL User since version 6.
 * Fedora Contributor since 2006.
 * FAmSCo 2011, ex-I18N team, Chinese (Traditional) L10N coordinator.


 * Why do you want to be a member of FAmSCo?
 * I have been there once and know what didn't work.
 * I have ambassadors who need my help.
 * I just feel bad not to.


 * What is the proper role for FAmSCo in a global project like Ambassadors?
 * Assists organization of activities.
 * Mediates conflicts among ambassadors and public.
 * Whatever it takes!


 * What are your particular goals related to FAmSCo?
 * Timely reimbursement!
 * Minimum conflicts.
 * Survive for the full term.


 * What would you change about the way Ambassadors is run?
 * Improve swags and media production efficiency.
 * Build up conflict resolution process.
 * Support financially time and efforts of ambassadors.

Gerard Braad (gbraad)

 * Please briefly describe your history with Fedora.
 * I have been using Red Hat since one of the early releases, but from the perspective of a user. I was happy to hear that Fedora was the continuation of a commitment to the desktop. Although I have tried many different distributions in the meantime, I have always remained loyal to this RPM-based distro. Have been member of FAmSCo during 2010 and know what works and what not. I also started to do this work for Mozilla as a representative and know what it takes to have and maintain a community in Eastern countries.
 * Why do you want to be a member of FAmSCo?
 * It seems like the best way to assist and help the Chinese and Asian community to get a better foothold in the Fedora project.
 * What is the proper role for FAmSCo in a global project like Ambassadors?
 * Providing the Ambassadors a place to go for their questions about resources they need, how to co-operate with the other Fedora and Open Source communities in their region.
 * What are your particular goals related to FAmSCo?
 * My particular goals related to FAmSCo would be the following:
 * Mentoring and support for current Ambassador
 * Grow presence and awareness of Fedora and Open Source in general in Greater China
 * Being a bridge between cultures
 * Being a bridge between Marketing and Ambassadors
 * Ambassadors in the APAC should have a good representation of your needs and resources
 * What would you change about the way Ambassadors is run?
 * Ambassadors play a role in not just representing the brand, but also in the promotion of 'The Open Source Way'. They are the greeters to our Community and open source in general and assist in getting contributions to Fedora and our Upstream projects

Christoph Wickert (cwickert)

 * Please briefly describe your history with Fedora.
 * Red Hat/Fedora user since Red Hat 6.1
 * Fedora contributor since 2005
 * Fedora ambassador since 2007
 * FeSCo member from 2009-2011
 * Currently I run the bi-weekly EMEA ambassadors meetings, organize swag and media distribution in EMEA as well as the Ambassadors Polo shirts and organize events here in Germany (3 this year).

That is a good question indeed because I already do a lot of things that FAmSCo is supposed to do but doesn't seem to care about or be able to. However there are a few things I can only do as a FAmSCo member:
 * Why do you want to be a member of FAmSCo?
 * Change FAmSCo election rules to make sure we have a strong and vital committee. A draft can be found here.
 * Fix the budget workflow once and for all to make reimbursements easier and quicker. A draft is to come soon.


 * What is the proper role for FAmSCo in a global project like Ambassadors?
 * Make sure all ambassadors get what they need to promote Fedora
 * Establish policies and procedures to get things done easily
 * Be the voice of the ambassadors and a point of contact for other groups in the project.

All my goals are very specific, see question 2 "Why do you want to be a member of FAmSCo?". In addition to that
 * What are your particular goals related to FAmSCo?
 * Get the events calendar finally in place
 * Build a swag inventory that collects all kinds of swag, vendors, quotes and the persons who are in charge of each item.


 * What would you change about the way Ambassadors is run?
 * More regular meetings, especially of FAmSCo itself
 * Get more ambassadors involved in other groups, too. An ambassador represents Fedora and as a member of other projects you get a deeper insight into Fedora as a whole.