Dutch coordinator

[Rainer Kersten]

Hi folks!

On Sun, Nov 11, 2012 at 07:36:12PM +0100, Jelle Hermsen wrote:
> In the meantime I'm calling it quits with volunteering for FSFE.

Oops...?!

> I have put quite some time into FSFE the last couple of years:
> (...)

I know and I have to thank you for all that work!

> I really like FSFE and adore its goals, but personally I don't like
> the idea that you have to stand on the sideline if you can't make it
> to live-meetings easily.

I have to comment that and I do disagree. In my eyes, personal
meetings are important, but not essential. Noone has to stand on
the sideline. Is there a sideline, btw? ;-)

> I have asked multiple times for the mailing
> list to be our central hub of communication and decision making,

...which is absolutely fine. Noone disagreed with that principle.

> or at least to be kept in the loop,

Ehm... There was simply no "loop", beside my recommendation to
discuss the followership of Mark face-to-face. Noone disgreed as well.
That was all. And in my eyes, in this case that was better.
But for sure, it was clear, that the outcome of that chats should
be discussed here to get the blessing of all others.

> just like how it usually works in
> Free Software projects, but unfortunately this is not the way things
> work here.

There seems to be a misunderstanding: There are no "things".
It is the same trap Maurice hitted some days ago: If you read no
communication about $whatever, that does _not_ mean, that you are
out of the loop. There was simply no loop, no communication,
no "things". ;-)

> The first news on the meeting at T-Dose reaching the
> mailing list two weeks after the fact merely supports this.

This is true. The reason is simply: Maurive is doing his daily work
as well, and had some qestions before introducing himself here.
I didn't done that, because I felt it is better style when Maurice
is doing this by himself. Two weeks is not optimal, but hey, _this_
is the way "things" are running here. ;-)

> Anyway,I'm not aggrieved or anything,

This is fine and I am happy about that!

> I can understand this is the way the cookie crumbles,

There is that misunderstanding again: There is no cookie, and
therefore no crumbling. This is what we want to build up! ;-)

> especially when a group like ours make up such a
> small geographical area.  Accepting this fact, I think that's it's
> better to spend my time elsewhere in the world of FLOSS.

For sure, I accept your decision, but if the reason is just the
a.m. one, your decision is most likely based on a misunderstanding.

> I wish you all the best of luck.

Same to you, anyway! ;-)

Just a word about personal meetings: When a bunch of people do not
know each other, they _can_ coordinate their work via mailing lists
and other similar channels. According to my experience it is far
easier, when they have seen themselves one or two times.
Communication is far easier when I know with whome I do type.
Building trust is easier. Understanding irony is easier.
Motivating others to get active is easier. A.s.o.

That's why I try to bring people together, whenever there is
chance to do so. That should _not_ reduce other ways of
communication, but intensify those ways.

Noone should stand aside, who can't make it to any meetings,
events, $whatever.

As I should assist all of you, I am even willing and able to
pass by and visit friends! Yes, that helps as well.

We should use all communication channels we have, when they
are useful. This includes real life and VoA[1].

At least, at FOSDEM, the big "family event", there should be
the chance to chat. Let's take it! ;-)

Groeten Rainer,
who still feels ashamed not be able to write nederlands.

[1] VoA = "Voice over air", an outdated protocol which is
meanwhile used only outside the internet.