[@OKFNau] [OKFN-AU] Let's try this again ;-)

Wed Aug 28 01:07:41 UTC 2013

David,

I am interested in how local events are going to continue in Tasmania but could not find a contact for the local Ambassador?

Al

Alister Clark
PhD Candidate
School of Geography and Environmental Studies
University of Tasmania
http://stateofourenvironment.wikispaces.com/

From: okfn-au-bounces at lists.okfn.org [mailto:okfn-au-bounces at lists.okfn.org] On Behalf Of A List for Open Knowledge Networks in Australia.
Sent: Wednesday, 28 August 2013 8:45 AM
To: okfn-au
Subject: [OKFN-AU] Let's try this again ;-)

From: David F. Flanders, Secretary to the OKFNau Board
To: 800+ members on this OKFNau listserv

My Dear Fellow Hackers (Code Hackers, Policy Hackers, Hardware Hackers, GLAM Hackers, and everyone else dedicated to the playful productive changing of our world through open hacking[1]),

On behalf of the OKFNau Board, I am pleased to welcome you to the Open Knowledge Foundation listserv.  In accordance with anti-spam policies we have subscribed most of you to this list because in registering for GovHack this year you ticked a box saying it was 'ok' for us to add you.  Apologies if you don't feel this was the case (we do try our best, as we hate spam too!).

First off, we know how broken email can be these days so please feel free to unsubscribe if Open Knowledge is not something you can juggle at the moment - we are sympathetic to this problem.  Rather - perhaps consider following our twitter @OKFNau - Otherwise please do click the 'unsubscribe' link at the bottom of this email.

But wait!  Why might you want to stay subscribed to this list?  Well here is what this list has in store over the next year.

Over the past three months (since GovHack) we have been getting better organised so that GovHack can become even bigger and better.  In short, we don't just want one big drum beat every year, we wants lots of small community drum beats as well.

Accordingly, we've recruited several Ambassadors in (almost[2]) every major city in Australia!  "Awesome" <--a word that comes to mind :)  In short, these OKFN Ambassadors will be holding events in your city so you can carry on the GovHack conversation  - learn new skills - meet new likeminded people - and (most importantly) have fun while being open about knowledge.

Subscribe to our event calendar: http://okfnau.eventbrite.com/

Best of all, the mission of OKFN gives us the opportunity to expand the conversation beyond GovHack.  Yes OpenData & OpenGovernement are essential pillars in the OKFN conversation (GovHack 4eva!); however, there are many more Open groups that embrace the 'Open Definition'[3] and want their community to be amplified by the International Network that OKFN provides:

http://okfn.org/local/

This list is about empowering you and amplifying your ideas for embracing Open Knowledge.

In fact my job is to be *your* secretary; and furthermore the remit of the board is to help provide you advice (we are not hierarchical - we are all volunteers - no bosses here; just helpful organisers - we are a support network that is here to help)!

Therefore this list is about asking: "HOW CAN WE HELP YOUR OPEN COMMUNITY?!" <-- yes I'm speaking loudly as I want you to hear ;-)

In the following months this list will primarily have the following discussions and announcements:

  *   Event announcements happening in local cities, please see our website for a list of local Ambassadors who are almost always happy to meet up for a coffee and a chat (especially if you have an idea for an event)!
  *   News from around the world on the progress of OKFN in the 50+ cities which now have Ambassadors (Nepal & Taiwan OKFN being one of my favorite groups to follow)
  *   Discussion on new Working Groups that should emerge to advance our society such as OpenSpending, OpenCensus, OpenHardware (Make-bassadors), OpenGLAM (GLAMbassadors), etc. See: http://okfn.org/wg/
  *   Reports from the Field as our Ambassadors attempt to change our world through the power of networked communities.
  *   And last (perhaps least) will be some arguments and trolls :( <-- As much as we'd like to stop this, alas - being truly Open is more important to us!
As a final metaphor to leave you with, OKFNau is here to empower all the Open Groups around Australia (like an upside-down umbrella) - we are not here to compete with other Open groups nor are we trying to be the only Open group.  We just want the community to grow and anyone who can help us do that is most welcome!

Thank you once again for your consideration and please do let us know your ideas!

Kind Regards,

David F. Flanders
PS my next door neighbor Homer says you should stay subscribed ;-)

[1]= Naturally we know not all of you on this list would necessarily call yourself 'hackers' so apologies if you do not identify with this word, we have no intention of being just a 'hacker' group - rather this email was created shortly after adding many of the GovHack participates and so we are addressing this audience.  OKFN is Open for hacker and non-hacker alike!

[2]= We are still looking for volunteer Ambassadors in Adelaide, so please do contact dff.okfn at gmail.com<mailto:dff.okfn at gmail.com> if you are interested in volunteering as one of people who will share the Adelaide Ambassadorship.  Or if you'd like to join one of the already established Ambassadorships please do email and we'll put you in contact.

[3] = Open Definition: http://opendefinition.org/
--
Secretary to the Chair of the Board (interim)
Open Knowledge Foundation Network Australia
Listserv: http://lists.okfn.org/mailman/listinfo/okfn-au
Blog: http://au.okfn.org/blog/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OKFNau
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