[Osmf-talk] Reaching out and diversity (Was: Re: AGM and board elections)

[Derick Rethans]

On Sun, 28 Sep 2014, Kate Chapman wrote:

> The OSMF can choose not to take action to improve diversity, though we 
> will not be a free map of the entire world. We will just be one 
> group's view. Continuing to take the attitude of doing as little as 
> possible won't help.

Right. This. 

Kathleen already made some really good suggestions. I'll quote them here 
(making some edits for brevity):

On Sat, Sep 27, 2014 at 12:32 PM, Kathleen Danielson <kathleen.danielson at gmail.com> wrote:

> * I would like to see widespread adoption of codes of conduct across the
>   community.
> * Explicit, easy to find, enforceable guidelines for conversation happening
>   on any mailing list hosted by OSM.
> * Clear expectations given to moderators in enforcing said guidelines, and
>   adequate support for moderators, who are often too drained to step in.
> * Required Anti-harassment policies for any event billing itself as a
>   "State of the Map" conference.
> * More scholarships for marginalized groups to attend SOTM conferences.
> * People doing a better job of holding each other accountable publicly.
> * Prioritizing outreach to marginalized groups to join the community and
>   to speak at conferences.
> * Programming and initiatives originating from places of leadership within
>   the community to provide safe, welcoming places to talk about these issues
>   and work on ways to improve them.

I think *all* of those, and perhaps more, should be considered by the 
board. And I would call for this to be revisited at least once every 3 
months, with a "diversity report" from the board. I know I might be 
asking a lot, but I don't find myself asking too much.

cheers,
Derick