User:Awrigh01

2020 Board Position Statement

“Wait! What’s that? You want to know what I’m running for the Board of OpenStreetMap US?”

Excellent question! Thanks for asking. (And thanks for reading anything of my answer below)

THE PLATFORM

1) BRING ON THE LOVE (aka OSM IS AWESOME)

Even with all embarrassments of Hallmark sentimentality - the reason I am running to serve on your board is simple. I find deep admiration for what we build (together) and I am excited by the future of what we are building. So aka – I love you all. I love all the points, lines, polygons, and people that makes OSMUS.

• 1a) I also love our maps!
  • That love comes from what we do – build the only completely open map of the world. I am impressed with how mapping influences our understanding of one another and the planet we live on.

• 1b) I also love America
  • And I love OpenStreetMap in the United States particularly.
  • We are leaders of successful collaboration. We build something much larger than a single person, a single company or a single ambition. We are leaders in the type of edits we do and technologies that make our contributions matter. We are leaders in the self-reflection to investigate what our technology means and responsive to a world that makes sense of it. We are leaders in what OpenStreetMap can be, not just where it comes from or what is currently is.  

So my platform is one built with gratitude and hope for what we build now and what OSMUS can be in the future.

2) EXECUTIVE SCALE (AKA MAGGIE IS AWESOME)

In our ability to reflect on who we are and what we create -- I hope we have all taken a breath to acknowledge what huge significance – of responsibility and meaning – it is, to have hired an Executive Director. As part of the OSMUS board for 5 years, I have seen this milestone evolve from a whisper of an idea to the weight of reality. I feel like I am on Episode 1 of a Netflix series I know I’ll binge.

As your next OSMUS board member, I will apply my experience in the business of open source to build a strategy of scale for OpenStreetMap US. With recurring contribution and investment we can –

• scale our community of editors, users, and creators;
• scale our relevance in the tech of startup to government innovation,
• scale our staff from a single ED towards a full staff of 3, and
• scale our impact within OSM, specifically and open source, more generally.

3) MONEY (AKA FUNDRAISING IS AWESOME)

And my platform this year is moving from sustain to financially flourish. I hope to facilitate relationships with individuals, foundations, and companies that can help move the potential of OSMUS from a siloed conversation amongst ourselves to a fundraising necessity. We need money to do the things we know we need to do. We need money to do it with focus, urgency, and efficiency. I plan to assist our new staff – starting with supporting our new ED – in building a plan of financial contribution.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

I’ve been a member of the OSMUS Board for over 5 years. I am committed to the community health and growth that makes us. I have also worked in geospatial technologies, often as a community and business development advocate. The breadth of my work ranges from the geospatial early stage start-up to the geospatial independent consulting, from the geospatial hobby to the geo-spatially lost. From humanitarian mapping to geospatial blockchain protocols, I come with a gamut of OSM mapping experience and relevance. And finally, I see OpenStreetMap in the largess of open technologies. I respect the nuances of OPEN, including the community, technology, legality, and otherwise that make open so.

2019 Board Position Statement

“Don't fall in love with the map. The map doesn't win (OSMUS) elections.”

– Mitch McConnell (edited)

It’s not often that I quote ol’ Mitch. But I must disagree. What’s not to love about the map? The map of OpenStreetMap is built of points, lines, and polygons of representation – and also relations.  I’m the map; you’re the map; all our perspectives are the map. We all are the meaning.

I am a senior business professional in this ecosystem of open mapping, generally and committed to the health, impact, and sustainability of OpenStreetMap, specifically.

My introduction to OpenStreetMap happened in 2009, as part of an artist residency in Madrid. At that point, I added the subways of OpenStreetMap because a) it was fun and b) it got me outside. In 2013, I became an official member and in 2014 part of the US board.

OpenStreetMap has always been about a fluidity of objective truths and human relations.

Professionally, I have blended high-level vision with tactical operations. I am committed to bridging geospatial innovation into sustainable change. My first experience of what that can look like happened at OpenGeo (aptly named), where where I was part of the outreach, community, and business application of PostGIS, OpenLayers, GeoServer, and GeoNode (+ other stuff).

From my time as an artist, to my work at OpenGeo, to my similar mandate at Mapzen and most recently as a independent consultant, I have deeply understood what is possible with the open community, discussion, engineering development, and data of OpenStreetMap.  

Whether for work or volunteer contribution, OpenStreetMap has proven to be a valuable resource to many me, as for many of us. One of the most valuable aspects of OpenStreetMap US is finding out that you are not alone!  We work together to build a map and supporting ecosystem, regardless of where you are.

The impact and application of OpenStreetMap is growing, and the next few years will be pivotal.

As a member of the Board, I will work hard to:

• Increase the visibility of OpenStreetMap US in national and international open spaces;
• Develop the administrative foundation for us to mature as a community and industry;
• Encourage a diversity of relationships to underscore the value of OpenStreetMap.

Seeking to join the OpenStreetMap US Board is a true testament to my endorsement of this organization, and my commitment to working with you all to achieve our potential.  I will bring over 10 years of OpenStreetMap passion and professional experience as well as proven US Board leadership to our work together

Please consider endorsing my candidacy.  Thank you in advance.

2016 Board Position Statement

Tl;dr: I am running for the 2016 OpenStreetMap US board and look to your vote in making such service happen.

The Cliff Notes:

• My vision for OpenStreetMap US
• What I have done as your board member
• What I look to do in the coming year

I have participated in OpenStreetMap since 2007 when I went off to explore Madrid under the auspices of an artist’s residency. Over the past handful of years, I have transitioned to a more active member of the US Chapter and served as your board President for the past 2. During the time I have been part of our board leadership, the OpenStreetMap US community has reached great heights in membership, edits and impact. It has been a pleasure to serve you as we achieve these milestones. I look to your support for this next election cycle.    

VISION for OSMUS

This is the most excited I have ever been about where we are and the future of our work. Our US community is the largest OpenStreetMap entity in every way possible. Our mission, our collective voice, and the quality of our work is meaningful and inspirational not only within our own borders but on an international stage as well. More than any time I have served as your liaison, I believe we are at a precipice of meaning. And more than any other time, I hope to be part of our transition to lead that meaning.    

WHAT HAVE I DONE?

My contribution to OpenStreetMap US cannot be measured in a number of edits. My contribution is the space I create for others and the voice I am for the community. I have never done this alone but I have helped facilitate some of the following:

• The largest OSM conferences two years running
• Over 60 OpenStreetMap scholars from over 20 countries
• The largest fundraising effort
• Teaching initiatives including TeachOSM and our Harvard law clinic review
• International contribution by way of the SOTM and Legal working groups.

THE FUTURE?

I am interested in positioning OpenStreetMap US as national and international leaders. To date, much of the US board focus has been to assist our awesome annual conference. I would like to expand our capacity. I hope to support the self-sufficiency of a State of the Map US working group in order for the board to  assist in creating a US community that is sustainable in terms of numbers, voice and use.  By setting a functional example of OpenStreetMap breadth, I also seek to influence the strategic direction of the global foundation.

And so, in short - I seek your support and your vote for the next cycle of OpenStreetMap US board elections. I hope I have already served you with impact and integrity. I hope to do as much again in the coming year.      

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2015 Board Position Statement

Last year, Fall marked a rash of OpenStreetMap adventures. I ran for the US OpenStreetMap board and I submitted a proposal to help host State of the Map US at the United Nations. My commitment to supporting and building this vibrant OSM community was in full color. And then — to bring it personal — I had an accident where unconsciousness was on the other side.

Eleven days later when I woke up and as fate, irony, randomness would have it — one of the very first things I was told was that I had been elected to the OSM US board and the conference proposal was accepted. My commitment to you the OSM community — and your support for me — were there at the very beginnings of a long recovery.

OSM US board meetings with our SOTM US planning were the very first things I addressed post accident. I not only had the opportunity to work with and for a wonderfully dynamic community (and board!) but we had the chance to help create an amazing SOTM US at an amazing venue. The opportunity to host such a celebration humbled me from conference proposal submission to the closing address. I am constantly impressed with the breadth of what OSM seeks to accomplish, the respect we all do it with, and the fun we have on the way.

If elected to serve you again, I would continue to support the growth and impact of the OSM US community. In addition to helping create another awesome SOTM US no matter where it might be, I would like to focus on communications that bring our work and our mission to others. Whether that’s building journalism relations or creating a more active blog and twitter emoji feed (!!) we have a lot to contribute and others should know. I also believe the the US chapter of OSM (we) can serve as a inspiration on an international scale. If elected, I would also help create legal and professionalized strategies that can be an inspiration to other OSM communities.