clsXlca Geelong 2016 - Session report

Community Leadership Summit (clsXlca)

Summary of the opening proceedings and agenda setting session for the Community Leadership Summit x linux.conf.au (clsXlca) Edition.

This event, hosted by Donna Benjamin, served as a regional "unconference" designed to foster peer-to-peer networking and knowledge sharing among community managers and open-source contributors.

1. Context and History

Jono Bacon, the founder of the Community Leadership Summit (CLS), provided the opening context for the "x" edition.

  • Origin: Started ~8 years ago to fill a gap in guidance for building strong open-source communities.
  • The "x" Model: Inspired by TEDx, CLSx is designed to be a regional, lightweight version of the main summit. It sits between the rigid bureaucracy of TEDx and the complete informality of local Linux User Groups (LUGs).
  • Philosophy: The goal is to move away from "consuming information" via presentations and toward "invigorating conversations."

2. Unconference Methodology

The summit follows an unconference format, where the participants determine the topics of the day. To ensure productive breakout sessions, Donna Benjamin outlined four specific roles for group discussions:

Role Responsibility
Facilitator Drives the discussion; usually the person who proposed the topic.
Note Taker Records the conversation for future reference and for those unable to attend.
Timekeeper Ensures the group stays on schedule to cover all planned points.
Monitor Keeps an eye on the "vibe"; ensures no single person dominates and everyone has a voice.

3. Agenda Setting: "Burning Topics" for 2016

The group brainstormed a wide range of issues currently facing community leaders. After a show of hands to determine interest levels, the following topics were prioritized:

High-Interest Topics (Priority Discussions)

  • Diversity & Inclusivity: Addressing the lack thereof and fostering a welcoming environment.
  • Codes of Conduct: Implementation, necessity, and management.
  • Inner Sourcing: Fostering open-source practices within closed/corporate communities.
  • Non-Defensive Communication: Exploring NVC (Non-Violent Communication) and PDCC (Powerful Non-Defensive Communication).
  • The "Believer" Transition: Moving users from practical/utility-based usage of open source to a philosophical commitment.

Other Proposed Topics

  • Reputation: How to articulate and measure it.
  • Governance: Involving people outside of formal leadership structures.
  • Large Organizations: Challenges of organizational change and "corporate vs. upstream" leadership.
  • Contributor Needs: Balancing the needs of the user community vs. the developer community.

4. Lightning Talks Lineup

To further explore these topics before breaking into groups, a series of 3-to-5-minute lightning talks were scheduled. The volunteer speakers included:

  1. Cara (Python/Go community)
  2. Jono Bacon (Leadership/History)
  3. Rikky Endsley (Community Management/Stickers)
  4. Stewart Smith (IBM/Open Power Firmware)
  5. Clinton Roy (Burnout/Event Organizing)
  6. Chris (General Leadership)
  7. Jack Skinner (Developer Evangelism)