Attached is the transcript of the May 2010 LOPSA Live session. This session includes after PICC comments, LOPSA Mentorship Program, position changes for Trey and Travis, and calls for volunteers, most specifically for OLFU, mentoring and the newly open positions).
Also included inline here for easier reading in a browser.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:00:10] <pck> Good day everyone
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:00:18] <pck> it's #lopsa-live time again
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:00:36] <pck> I'm your host for today, Philip Kizer, vice-president
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:01:11] <pck> We've had some suggestions that we might get a better participation in #lopsa-live if we moved to quarterly. We've tried that for this time, but I think that is too long between #lopsa-live events, so the next one will be in 2 months
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:01:56] <pck> recent events have included the PICC conference
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:02:14] <wbilancio> PICC was great
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:02:36] <pck> in part, thanks to you and the other volunteers
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:03:02] <pck> This is William Bilancio who has agreed to be our new edu/conference chair
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:03:07] <lois> Yay! wbilancio
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:03:11] <pck> would you like to give any PICC recaps?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:03:19] <wbilancio> Thank you. We had 83 registrations and about 72 of them became new LOPSA members
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:03:56] <wbilancio> From the feed back we got it was a big success and people are looking forward to next years
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:04:07] <lois> Great classes!
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:04:15] <wbilancio> We are looking at doing it again at the same location and in May
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:04:37] * pck looks forward to it
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:04:46] <wbilancio> The classes were well attended and the talks and papers on Saturday were very well attended
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:05:04] <wbilancio> More information about PICC '11 will be coming out in August
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:05:30] <wbilancio> We hope to see more of the board make it to next years
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:05:41] <wbilancio> to meet the new members and just have a good time
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:06:21] <wbilancio> Can I talk about the Education Committee now?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:06:28] <pck> please do
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:06:41] <pck> and we'll get into other new programs announced at PICC after that
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:07:00] <wbilancio> We are in the process of looking for trainers to teach at OLFu in Spetember.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:07:39] <wbilancio> We are also looking for volunteers on the local level in Ohio to help promote the OLFu training
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:08:04] <wbilancio> If anyone is interested in helping out with that please get in touch with me at wbilancio@bilancio.org
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:08:47] <wbilancio> We are also looking for new confrences to work with to promote our training
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:08:53] <pck> and there will probably be a good official-looking @lopsa.org address coming in the near future as well for offers of help on those
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:09:03] <wbilancio> thanks :)
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:09:34] <wbilancio> If there are any questions about PICC or the education committee please get in touch.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:09:39] <wbilancio> and thanks for you r time
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:09:50] <pck> thank you wbilancio
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:10:00] <pck> also announced was a new mentoring program
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:10:18] <pck> bah
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:10:21] <pck> I mispoke
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:10:35] <pck> here's someone to correct me
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:11:15] <jtrucks> No worries. :)
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:11:48] <jtrucks> At PICC, I announced the forming of the new LOPSA Mentorship Program
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:13:01] <jtrucks> We are just forming the LOPSA Mentorship Program Team to design and implement the LMP, so there are not a lot of details (or an exact timeline) available today, however next week will be the first meeting of the LMPT.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:13:47] <TomLim> Do you know the date/time? I'd like to put that into my calendar so I dont double-book.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:14:18] <jtrucks> We will create a plan for investigating, designing, and implementing LMP as a way to more formally connect people looking for a mentor and those interested in being a mentor in the program.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:14:53] <jtrucks> TomLim: Not yet. My travel this week disrupted my ability to plan that out, but it will likely be next week Wednesday. It will be a voice phone call with IRC as a backchannel.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:15:22] <jtrucks> The vision is to start simple and build new aspects to the program through time.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:16:29] <jtrucks> It will, however, be a managed program where people who are both mentors and students/proteges provide regular feedback, have short term goals to accomplish, and have guidance of LOPSA to make it a useful and successful relationship for everyone involved.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:17:29] <atsaloli_> Are there formal mentorship programs in other professions? I've never heard of such a thing. (I've heard of apprenticing but this sounds different.)
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:17:31] <jtrucks> I have to leave soon, so are there any LMP related questions now?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:17:42] Mode change "+v dballing" on channel #lopsa-live by ChanServ
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:17:55] <jtrucks> atsaloli_: yes, there are such programs in some professions. Some of them are managed by professional associations, as well.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:18:02] <atsaloli_> example, please?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:18:44] <jtrucks> atsaloli_: it is similar to apprenticing, but it has a stronger focus, generally, on the professional aspects of the job rather than just the technical skills of the work.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:19:48] <wnl> atsaloli_: as an example, the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) has a mentorship program.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:19:49] <jtrucks> atsaloli_: there are some journalist groups, medical organizations, and even for teachers.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:20:01] <jtrucks> it is actually fairly common.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:20:01] <atsaloli_> OK. I found www.aaja.org/programs/professional/mentor/ and http://selaonline.org/membership/mentoring.htm
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:20:05] <atsaloli_> thank you
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:20:52] <jtrucks> If anyone is interested in being involved, please email volunteer@lopsa.org. If you want to be a mentor or find a mentor, we'll put you on the list for when we launch our pilot program later this year.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:21:58] <jtrucks> If you want to assist in forming and implementing the LMP, we will get you into the LMP IRC channel, on the mailing list, and on the meeting next week to launch the program. We will have weekly meetings (not wholly mandatory, as we understand not everyone can attend every week), and everyone is expected to contribute at least a small number of hours every month to help make this happen.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:22:34] <jtrucks> We're really excited, and we think this will really help many of us in LOPSA, both seasoned and less experienced members.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:22:37] <jtrucks> Any other questions?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:22:44] <atsaloli_> Great!
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:23:36] <jtrucks> Thank you, pck, for the opportunity to speak on the LOPSA Mentorship Program (LMP).
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:23:42] <pck> thanks, Jesse and all those wanting to be part of the LMP
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:23:48] <Nonapeptide> Do you want people to submit their qualifications, expereince and aspirations to know better how to place them in the program?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:24:20] <chrisallison> jtrucks: When/were will the first meeting be announced?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:24:24] <Nonapeptide> Seems like an obvious question, but I was curious where in the process people's skills and desires would come into play.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:24:46] <jtrucks> chrisallison: on the LMPT mailing list
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:25:04] <jtrucks> Nonapeptide: not yet, but please indicate your interest in how you would like to be involved in the project.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:25:15] <jtrucks> we will get back to you later if you want to be a mentor or find a mentor.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:25:20] <Nonapeptide> Okay, thanks. I'm writing an email to volunteers@lopsa.org right now.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:25:26] <jtrucks> excellent!!
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:25:35] * pck grins
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:25:49] <pck> glad you want to join for that
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:26:02] <pck> any other LMP-related queries?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:27:14] <pck> than we'll turn the floor over to our President, Trey Harris for some comments
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:27:19] <Trey> Thanks, Philip.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:27:56] <Trey> As some of you have heard, I've announced my resignation from the Board (and thus as President) of LOPSA effective today.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:28:50] <Trey> I'm beginning a new and what I expect will be a very demanding job at Google next week, and I don't feel it's fair either to myself or to the organization to continue in my current capacity.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:29:08] <atsaloli_> Congrats
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:29:21] <Trey> I look forward to helping in whatever ways I can with LOPSA's future programs.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:29:41] <Trey> I wanted to make a few farewell observations on my way out the door...
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:29:42] <pck> [and we'll be using and abusing him as much as we can continue to get away with :)]
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:30:55] <Trey> This is a bittersweet moment for me, as I first became involved in community work in the sysadmin space in an official capacity 13 years ago with SAGE
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:31:09] <Trey> and I've been involved in one way or another ever since.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:31:42] <ENOMAD> You're not getting away from us that easily, Trey. Don't worry, you'll be 'involved in one way or another' still. :)
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:31:53] <Trey> I was one of the members (along with David Parter, Geoff Halprin and Lorette Cheswick) who officially founded this organization, and I'm pleased that we've made it this far
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:32:30] <Trey> We've had some tough times during my term with the economic downturn and the lawsuit
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:32:46] <Trey> And we're certainly not where I think some of us wished we could be at this point
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:33:14] <Trey> Still, LOPSA as an organization is viable, is vibrant, and has hewed to its mission
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:33:44] <Trey> I think all of you who have volunteered in any capacity have reason to feel some measure of pride; I know that I do.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:33:50] <Trey> And I'm proud of all of you.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:34:48] <Trey> Observing this community for the past decade-and-then-some, I've noticed some characteristics that I think I'd like to say a few words about before waving goodbye for now.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:35:16] <Trey> First, anyone who has worked with a nonprofit knows that "managing volunteers" is hard.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:35:29] <Trey> It's so hard as to almost be a contradiction in terms. Herding cats is easier.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:36:03] <Trey> But the time demands and singular attention of the typical LOPSA member makes that task particularly difficult.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:36:43] <Trey> I do not believe that there is a single volunteer who has given significantly in time to LOPSA or SAGE who has not found this to be the case personally.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:37:18] <Trey> Call it "life intervening" or "stuff happening" or, less flatteringly, "flaking out" or worse names, it happens.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:37:46] <Trey> And designing structures and policies that can withstand that is, in my opinion, the single biggest hurdle that LOPSA has had, and continues to have.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:38:13] <Trey> Many--particularly those who run for the Board--have had ideas for silver bullets that will fix this ongoing problem.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:38:45] <Trey> Doubling up every task, running everything through ticket queues, splitting everything up into bite-sized chunks--you name it, it's been suggested, and has been tried.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:39:23] <Trey> I don't know what the answer is. If there even is one.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:39:38] <Trey> I can tell you though, and this moves into my second point, one thing that is NOT the solution:
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:39:54] <Trey> Pointing fingers and saying "you're not working hard enough".
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:40:54] <Trey> I was well aware that volunteering is, quite literally, a thankless job
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:41:21] <Trey> But I wasn't aware of the magnitude of that until I became President and started to see every comment anyone made cross my desk.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:42:04] <Trey> It wouldn't be a stretch to say that the complaints outnumbered the thanks by twenty to one. And that this ratio did not change with regards to successful projects versus unsuccesful ones.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:43:21] <Trey> More than anything else, I would say just one thing everyone--members, and most especially our volunteers and counselors and friends and the "old farts".
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:43:37] <Trey> I would exhort you, please please please:
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:43:40] <Trey> Be gentle.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:43:57] <Trey> The people who are putting efforts into this organization and its projects are giving of time they barely have
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:44:22] <Trey> Are putting creative juices and their feelings and their reputations on the line
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:44:37] <Trey> To make our community, and system administration as a profession, just a little bit better.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:45:37] <Trey> When tempted to criticize, ask yourself: am I helping? And, am I helping more than hurting?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:46:04] <Trey> Do you need to fire off an email complaining that a word was misspelled in a blog headline? Is that really the best contribution you can make?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:46:39] <Trey> I am so happy that we have grassroots efforts going on, things like PICC and the mentorship effort
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:47:08] <Trey> LOPSA and SAGE before it have been most hobbled, in my opinion, by a very small number of volunteers--generally Board members--trying to do everything.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:47:25] <Trey> And the more people we have involved, the more constructive ways people can be involved
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:47:47] <Trey> And the less people feel like the only way the CAN be helpful is through criticism.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:48:22] <Trey> Please don't misunderstand me: there is such a thing as "constructive criticism", and I don't think any of us want bugs or policy mistakes or customer service complaints to fall through the cracks.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:48:44] <Trey> But building something new is even more constructive than constructive criticism. :)
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:49:13] <Trey> I also want to say one last thing to all of you who either have volunteered, are volunteering, or are considering it in the future:
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:49:16] <Trey> You can say no.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:49:32] <Trey> That may sound like a funny thing for the President to say.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:49:40] <Trey> But I'm leaving in twenty minutes, so I can say it. :)
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:49:45] <Trey> Seriously, though:
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:50:15] <Trey> Some people would like nothing more than to help out by working on the website or mailing list manager
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:50:32] <Trey> Others would see that as a "busman's holiday": they don't want to spend their free time doing what they do at work.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:51:00] <Trey> But, because of a sense of duty or just wanting to pitch in, when someone from the Board or some committee asks them to do something, whatever it is, whatever your time constraints, you say Yes.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:51:40] <Trey> Please, do volunteer, do say yes. But only do so when it's a conscious decision. Know that you *can* say No.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:52:05] <Trey> Everyone--you, the organization, the community, your fellow volunteers--will benefit.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:52:29] <Trey> It's been my great privilege to work with so many of you and to see what fantastic ideas and energy you've been able to bring to LOPSA.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:52:43] <Trey> And I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:53:00] <Trey> So long, and I'll see you around.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:53:03] <Trey> :)
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:53:30] <pck> I almost expected you to end that with "thanks for all the fish"
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:53:41] <jss> ==pck
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:54:02] <TomLim> Thanks, Trey!
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:54:03] <pck> we definitely appreciate all you have done, Trey, we are all better for the massive amounts of effort you have provided us
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:54:07] <mota> amazingly well said, and I for one hope that lands somewhere in a volunteering section on the site
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:54:14] * ENOMAD hands Trey some Alaska-caught Wild Copper River Salmon
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:54:31] <pck> and I don't think many realize how truly monumental the amount has been
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:54:56] <atsaloli_> Thank you, Trey.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:54:56] <pck> does anyone have questions for Trey?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:55:59] <mota> I joined late, and so perhaps this has been answered, but I wonder if he would share with us what he sees as the top priorities going forward?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:57:10] <Trey> mota: Priority #1 for me is not to backseat-drive, so I'm not going to answer that directly. I think I put forth my top item, which is growing the volunteer base, but that extends to whatever program priorities the new President and new Board choose to put forth.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:57:33] <mota> Thanks
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:57:55] <Trey> Anyone else?
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:58:17] <wnl> I have a comment
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:58:52] <Trey> Please.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:58:54] <wnl> Trey, we all owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude. You have done more for our organization than most people even realize.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:59:04] <wnl> You will be missed, and I want to personally thank you for all that you have done.
[Fri 2010/05/21 16:59:59] * ENOMAD calls for a standing ovation for Trey
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:00:03] <Trey> wnl: Thank you, I appreciate it.
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:00:18] * pck joins in the standing ovation!
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:00:29] * mota stands
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:00:37] * stevev claps vigorously
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:00:46] * SaintAardvark joins in
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:00:46] * lois stands and clapps
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:00:52] * drich stands as well
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:00:56] * drich claps too
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:01:01] * wnl gives standing-o
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:01:05] * TomLim stands and clapps louder
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:01:09] * jss applauds.
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:01:10] * dballing claps
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:01:59] * wbilancio clapps
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:02:16] * nickanderson lights a lighter
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:02:34] <pck> we also look forward to when Trey has come to grips with everything surrounding his new position and can once again make his temporary "no" back into a "yes" within his work/life balance so we don't have to miss him for too long
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:02:57] <pck> and I know I'll have tons of questions for him in the short term
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:03:38] <pck> that said, we also have another similar situation that you may have seen in the member e-mail: fellow board member Travis needed to reassess his balance as well
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:04:20] <pck> though he's stepping down from the board, he's remaining very involved in daily technical services for LOPSA and we're still very happy to have his involvement
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:05:04] <pck> we're over time, but I'll keep the channel open for a few more questions
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:05:20] <pck> anything as we wind up this instance of #lopsa-live?
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:05:25] <ENOMAD> How will the replacement process for the two open positions be handled?
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:05:44] <ENOMAD> Appointment or vote?
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:06:00] <TomLim> Trey: You have done an excellent job of steering this crazy group through many hard times. I appreciate all the work you've done. You deserve a lot more than a standing ovation on a chatroom. Your replacement will have a difficult time filling your shoes. **hugs**
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:06:11] <pck> pretty much just as specified in the charter and policies...(which I still need to re-re-re-read to make sure I'm following them to a tee)
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:07:19] <pck> by my recollection, it should be appointment, but we will be making use of all of our advisors to make sure we have a full view in that process
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:07:54] <Trey> The bylaws provide for the Board to appoint the two directors' vacancies. Then the Board will vote at its annual directors' meeting on a new slate of officers from among all the Board members, including the two newly-appointed ones.
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:08:41] <ENOMAD> How much time is left in this term?
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:08:46] <Trey> There will be a regular election in 2011 for a new Board.
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:08:58] <dballing> and, by all of our advisors, we also mean "you"... if you've got an idea for someone who might be good/interested, or if you're interested yourself, please don't hesitate to say something to us!
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:09:00] <Trey> About 14 months.
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:09:24] <mota> thoughts on when the board will meet to appoint new directors?
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:09:30] <pck> and we strongly encourage anyone that wants to help out at that level to get involved now and throw their hat in the ring when those elections come
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:10:18] <wnl> FYI, the leadership committee is also preparing a list of suggested candidates for the directors' consideration.
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:11:12] <pck> and we'll be having our normal bi-weekly board meetings in addition to our e-mail based processes that we do daily, though we've had some special weekly voice meetings as needs arise for more active discussion
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:11:19] <ENOMAD> wnl: a reminder who's on the leadership committee these days?
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:11:36] <wnl> Myself, Esther, Adam, and Mario Obejas
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:12:56] <pck> I have a last reminder that we do still need some technical and web-site projects that I invite anyone wanting to help out to inquire about
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:13:18] <pck> any last questions?
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:13:52] <pck> [education committee also needs volunteers]
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:14:11] <pck> with that, we call another #lopsa-live to a close
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:14:18] <pck> thank you all for attending
[Fri 2010/05/21 17:14:26] <pck> see you back here for another one in 2 months
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