Submitted by Jacob Redding on Tue, 2009-01-27 15:48
Posted in
TIme has flown by, its been almost a year since I ran for and was elected to the board of the Drupal Association. Over the past year I have been performing the duties of Event manager for the Drupal Association. In that time I worked to create and refine processes for Drupalcon as well to lay the foundation for supporting Drupalcamps and Drupal meetups around the world. Although I didn't accomplish everything I had set out to, for example I never sent buttons around to Drupalcamps, I did accomplish a few key items around Drupalcon that will help to ensure the success of Drupalcon for years to come. A big part of me wants to continue in this position for another year so that I could accomplish the goals I set out to when I started. However the prudent part of me says that its time to get some fresh blood into the position.
I don't want to go too far away though. I have submitted my application for Treasurer.
Why Treasurer?
While serving as the events manager over the past year a sizable chunk of my time was spent on financial and business related matters. For example the legal entities surrounding Drupalcon as well as the receivables/payables accounts that arose from the conferences. These were a natural byproduct of the escalated size of the conferences. . Drupal has expanded rapidly in the past few years and the donations to the Association have also grown as rapidly. It became clear to me that some serious time needs to be dedicated to ensuring that the Association's accounts are managed properly and efficiently. To this point they have been managed beautifully by the current Treasurer, Dries Knapen, but his time has come to end. After successfully obtaining his PhD he has wisely decided to concentrate time on his research and work leaving a void in the current position. I hope to use my educational and work experience background, in accounting and finance, to fill this void and ensure the success of the Drupal Association.
Call for a new events manager
As I want to switch my position within the Association it leaves an excellent opportunity for the new events manager. One of my primary goals is to not only ensure a smooth transition to the newly elected individual but also to work with that individual to establish processes that create a sustainable position. This includes creating documentation and processes to successfully transfer knowledge, introduce them to the community, partners and key individuals so that the new events manager is not only prepared for their tasks but also so that external individuals are not confused by the transition and are ready to work with the new board member. The goal is to create continuity within the Association.
My application for Treasurer
If you have questions about the events manager position feel free to contact me
Big shoes indeed
Well, if it was up to me, I would say we should keep you as event manager for one more year, because you have been doing an excellent job in that position.
DrupalCon is growing fast and may see a transition in 2009/2010 on the scale, and how it is managed.
I would have loved you being there to effect that crucial change.
In the end, it is up to you as to where you serve best. I believe that you will be equally successful as treasurer, but was hoping for you to continue to steer the even ship for a while for the sake of continuity.
Continuity
I agree with the point of continuity and there is a part of me that feels I need more one year to really get things "right". However I am not exiting the community and will be closely working with the incoming events manager so I feel confident that I can maintain the level of continuity while also transitioning the position over to a new person. The transition will help me to learn which areas are vague/poorly documented, well understood and possibly not thought of. They are also key contacts and people that I would definitely be in the meeting or on the calls with to minimize confusion and maintain continuity.
You've been an excellent events manager
Thank you for the excellent work you did as the events manager. People outside the association don't know how much you've done and what a great job you did, so I want to say here that your work has been outstanding. You've worked with two very successful DrupalCon teams, and have implemented structural changes that will make it easier for DrupalCons going forward. You've also communicated with the larger public very effectively about the options we have going forward for running future DrupalCons. Yours will be big shoes to fill!
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