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Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:38:04 +0800
Message-ID: <caf30e2a0902200338w4cf6739bv1109466728f4a5a1@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Mentor responsibilities (Was ... Rant)
From: Niclas Hedhman <niclas@hedhman.org>
To: general@incubator.apache.org
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On Fri, Feb 20, 2009 at 7:04 PM, Martijn Dashorst
<martijn.dashorst@gmail.com> wrote:
> However, if that means actively committing, fixing bugs, then that is
> not what I've signed up for. I don't have a vested interest in the
> actual code of most if not all podlings.

Agree.

> Guiding discussions, ensuring that the right things are done on the
> correct lists, reports get submitted on time, accounts are created,
> status page is maintained, that the community is activated, etc. is
> what the Mentor's responsibilities are.

Agree.

> We want to incubate self governing, open, meritocratic and active
> communities. Mentors can guide communities towards self governance,
> openness and meritocracy. Sometimes Mentors can even help with
> activity, but it is the responsibility of the incubating community to
> do the work necessary for graduation.

Agree.

Now, why am I complaining?

 * Setting up a podling -> Mentor.

 * Initially write the reports, then gradually hand over, and always
make sure they happen --> Mentor

 * Actively assisting in the first release -> Mentor

 * Graduation --> Fixing the TLP (if any), closing Incubator existence
--> Mentor

(I am sure there are other things)

And considering that we have (or try to) 3 Mentors per project, they
should be stumbling over each other, fighting to get the things
done... Well, I don't think that's ever happened, and often it is the
complete opposite; "Well, I can't be bothered, one of the other two
will handle it..." if even that much thought is put into it. So, I am
calling for "Responsibility instead of Anonymity", so that "If I don't
do it, noone else will..." is the immediate thought of things above
(and others), and if "I don't have time for this." occurs then you
must be responsible to notify the PMC to find a replacement. And if
not, expect to be hanged out to dry and public flogging... ;-)

If this leads to less volunteering, then "Fine, we will only handle
the load we can manage." and no Vote for incoming projects until there
is someone who is willing to take on the above mantle with the
Responsibility expected. You don't like that, don't sign up for it,
and we should converge to a balance between projects in incubation vs
suitable volunteers. And on the flip side of that, I think Mentors who
do succeed (you know who you are, I don't) would be recognized and
respected to a much higher degree than currently.


Cheers
Niclas
-- 
http://www.qi4j.org - New Energy for Java

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