----BEGIN CLASS---- [13:40] #startclass [13:40] add: ewa_jodlowska [13:40] Good, now anyone can ask a question by typing ! [13:40] ! [13:40] ewa_jodlowska, You can take a question by typing next [13:41] ewa_jodlowska, try that. [13:41] next [13:41] Okay, works. [13:41] ewa_jodlowska, Go ahead, stage is yours. [13:44] Questions come in when there is a "!" entered, correct? [13:44] yes [13:44] ewa_jodlowska, Yes, and you can decide when you want to take questions. [13:44] That is like raising hands. [13:45] Makes sense. I'm ready for questions if anyone has any! [13:45] I can also tell folks what I do in the meantime [13:45] ewa_jodlowska, Please go ahead. [13:46] I work for the Python Software Foundation, which is the non-profit that backs the python programming language. Our main responsibilities are: 1. protect the trademark 2. produce PyCon US.... [13:47] 3. provide community grants via our grants program 4. house several fiscal sponsors 5. and we oversee community infrastructure such as pypi, python.org [13:48] My role is the Director of Operations. That means that I oversee the day-to-day non-profit work, manage our staff, and manage PyCon. [13:49] If anyone is interested in knowing more about either of the above aspects, let me know! [13:50] ! [13:51] next [13:51] 1. What is a day in the life of Ewa like? [13:51] 2. …“house fiscal sponsors” - would you elaborate? [13:51] Great questions! [13:54] 1. Work wise, I usually begin work at 8am and attend to email. It's amazing how much email comes in over night, especially when PyCon planning is at its peak. Next I usually have a one on one with a staff member. I plan them either once a week or every week depending on the work load of that individual. [13:56] [1. continued] Then I move on to either scheduled calls that I have with vendors or other community partners or projects that I am working on. For example, right now I am putting together a comparison report on the traffic that jobs.python.org gets so we can determine how we can provide better benefits to our sponsors. [13:56] [1. continued] In addition to my work at the PSF I am involved in a lot of extra curricular activities. The most exciting ones now-a-days are cross fit and once a week I take a violin lesson. [13:59] 2. fiscal sponsor projects under the PSF are projects that join us so they can take advantage of non-profit services such as being able to receive tax-exempt donations [13:59] for example? [14:00] [2. continued] What usually happens is that the donations we receive for that specific group are earmarked for that group only. Once they need it for something, they send us reimbursement requests. The scope of the meet ups have to align with the PSF's mission. If the event lacks a Python component, we will not be able to reimburse you for any expenditures related to that event. [14:01] An example is the Boston Python meet up. We receive donations on their behalf and then we reimburse them for the payments they make related to their Python meet up. [14:01] aaah [14:01] It doesn't have to be a meet up. It can be a project or a group such as PyLadies. [14:02] PyLadies is another fiscal sponsor we assist by taking their donations and earmarking them for the PyLadies to use. [14:02] Great questions jasonbraganza. [14:02] thamk you @ewa_jodlowska! [14:03] ! [14:03] next [14:03] ! [14:03] woul you share your journey to becoming director ops [14:03] of the psf [14:04] Sure! [14:04] I actually got involved with the PSF through PyCon back in 2008. I worked for a company in Chicago that serviced conferences by providing registration and meeting planning. [14:05] From 2008 to 2011, I worked on PyCon as a third party service provider. [14:07] Afterwards I decided to move to Denmark to attend a university there (DTU) and the PSF wanted me to continue helping with PyCon even though I left the company in Chicago. During that time I worked part-time on helping make PyCon happen. Eventually the PSF asked me to work on PyCon full time. [14:08] I believe it was in 2012 that the PSF asked me to also take on the administrative work for the Foundation. That is when I got heavily involved with working with board members and the day-to-day work. Eventually the PSF grew so much that we needed to hire someone to help and at that point I got promoted to Director of Ops. [14:09] Since that time we have hired 2 additional members so there is a total of 5 paid employees now. When I started it was just two employees and within 3 years we expanded quickly. [14:09] It's been a pretty exciting journey :) [14:09] Thank you Ewa! :) [14:10] Thanks _you_ for asking such awesome questions! [14:10] next [14:10] I would like to know more about this one "protect the trademark" [14:11] Sure - great question as it is probably the most important thing we do :) [14:12] The PSF holds the trademark for Python, PyCon, and even PyLadies. In addition to the wordmark, we have trademarks for the Python logo and the PyLadies logo. [14:13] We are in the process of registering the new PyPI logo and wordmark for when Warehouse launches. [14:14] We have a trademark committee that checks to see that other communities are using the logos properly. We have a policy outlined here: https://www.python.org/psf/trademarks/. [14:15] If folks are still uncertain about their usage, they can always email the group. A link to the committees email is listed on the page. [14:16] Also, we protect the trademarks from other people trademarking similar names or logos so that the Python "brand" stays strong and doesn't have multiple meanings. [14:16] We work with two law firms right now that let us know if someone is attempting to file similar claims. [14:17] ! [14:17] We keep track of how the trademarks are used in various countries just in case we ever need to prove how we use it and for how long it has been used. [14:17] next [14:17] Also if someone reports the violation of guidelines, investigation is done by your team, right? [14:18] Yes, bhavin192. We have a officer role that is our general counsel and if need be, review is done with one of the firms helping us. [14:18] Okay got it, thank you. [14:18] ewa_jodlowska: How long before do you start planning for PyCon and how long before you start executing things? [14:18] If someone uses the trademark incorrectly, the trademark committee also can reach out and provide a better way forward. [14:19] saptaks that is a great question and not easy to answer :) [14:19] For example, we have already started working on PyCon 2020 and 2021 - hard to believe! [14:20] Because PyCon is so big and we look for cities that are affordable, we have to book venues far in advance. [14:20] But when it comes to the detailed work, we begin right after a PyCon ends. [14:21] ewa_jodlowska: so if a single team is working on all PyCon, how do you handle planning for PyCon 2020 and also execute all the plans for PyCon 2018, simultaneously? [14:21] We all multitask. We try to do certain tasks when we are not to busy planning the immediate PyCon. [14:22] ewa_jodlowska: okay. [14:22] For example, in January and June of 2017, we went to check out places for 2020/21 since the busy time for planning PyCon 2017 was between January and May. We try to plan ahead to make it work. [14:24] It definitely takes a lot of project management to make it work and lots of people helping out with what they can :) [14:24] Hoping to attend PyCon US someday. I do get a glimpse of all the action thanks to kushal, sayan and so many others. [14:26] ! [14:26] PyCon is also lucky to have wonderful volunteers. Kushal has been helping us with Sprints! [14:27] I hope to meet you at PyCon one of these years! [14:27] next [14:28] ewa_jodlowska, For most of us here English is not our first language. What is your suggestion for folks like us while communicating over Internet? Say on Email or Chats. [14:29] That is a great question. [14:30] A suggestion for everyone (not just folks that don't speak English as a first language) is to always re-read you communications before sending them. That is easier to do with email because it is not instant like chat, but if you can with chat messages, I recommend it. [14:31] English is not my first language either but I have been speaking it for a very long time. Even so, I tend to make grammar mistakes often. I spend a lot of time re-reading my messages. [14:32] ! [14:32] There's also a lot of great resources for writing if anyone does longer posts such as blogs. Recently, I found this article: http://www.downes.ca/post/38526 very helpful. [14:33] If need be you can also ask others to proof things for you before you send it. [14:34] That said, chat is the hardest because it is instant communication and doesn't leave us any time to make corrections. In that case I suggest reading a lot of English or listening to English audiobooks. Over time that may help. [14:34] next [14:34] You’ve practically raised pycon over the years into this massive thing it has become. [14:34] How have you not lost all your hair yet?! [14:34] Does each PyCon bring added pressure? [14:34] How do you cope? Does it get easier? [14:35] :) [14:36] ! [14:37] It's like the phrase "practice makes perfect". PyCon 2017 was my tenth PyCon so I have a lot of experience with it by now. The stress level is still the same though especially the closer we get to being onsite. There are plenty of night I wake up from PyCon nightmares like no one showing up or something else terrible happening. [14:37] Overtime I think you just learn how to deal with the stress better and you try to be as prepared as possible. [14:38] The key is definitely organization but some things are out of my control so those are the things that stress me most now-a-days. [14:39] (my hidden question :P ^) [14:39] :) [14:39] next [14:39] ewa_jodlowska: Python has great community support as compared to any other significant langagues. What do you think is the reason apart from langauge itself? [14:40] PrashantJ_ that is a great point to bring up. [14:41] From my point of view, I think we have such great community support because of kindness and self-awareness through self-assessment. [14:42] It helps that our community embraces the implementation of code of conducts. Through that process, we become more welcoming and diverse. [14:43] And we always strive to be better. [14:43] For example, with PyCon US, we are looking for a third party to help us re-evaluate our code of conduct to see what we can do to make it better for our attendees. [14:44] ! [14:46] Every time I attend a PyCon (no matter where it is in the world) I feel overwhelmed with joy because of the kindness I received from the other attendees. I've attended many conferences through out my life and not all of them have left me feeling welcome and appreciated. [14:46] next [14:47] If you had to build another grassroots org from scratch now, how would you go about it, given your years of experience? [14:47] Is it something beginners can copy? [14:47] if someone here for example wants to start up a new Python chapter? [14:47] s /Python /PyCon [14:47] or anything that’d bring people together for that matter? [14:48] Sure! [14:49] For any topic, the most important aspect is getting people together around a commonality. [14:50] If someone wanted to start a new chapter, I'd suggest to them that they start having in person meet ups. Even if it starts with 2-4 people, I'd suggest they continue doing them and eventually the group will grow. [14:51] In person meet ups (whether monthly or yearly) are important for motivation and inspiration, which are very much needed to start a new org/chapter/etc. [14:52] That motivation and inspiration turns to someone leaving the event wanting to accomplish something for that org. That is why every PyCon and meet up is so important. [14:53] Thanks to social media and the internet in general, it is easy to market your event to other locals that may be interested in attending. [14:54] As much as virtual interaction is needed, I think in person gatherings are most needed since they provide the synergy between folks and eventually result into progression of the org. [14:55] So, if you all can attend a local meet up or event, I highly recommend it. [14:55] If there isn't one, start one :) [14:55] You’re so fascinating, I could keep asking questions for hours. But I’ll respect your time and my colleagues’ here [14:55] Thank you so much Ewa! [14:56] ! [14:56] Thank you jasonbraganza! [14:56] next [14:56] How different it is to work with non-profit org. like PSF? PSF is different institution in many ways from any other conventional org. [14:56] Great question PrashantJ_ [14:57] Beyond having a smaller budget, I am not sure if it differs much. 5 years ago I'd say there were a lot of differences because the PSF lacked a lot of structure but now that we are maturing more I think the differences have decreased. [14:59] We have meetings, we have reports, we have objectives and personnel evaluations. [14:59] I think that is quite similar to a conventional org. [14:59] But since the PSF is 100% remote, we lack the day to day interactions that someone would have in an office setting. [15:00] One of my continued goals is to increase the amount of times we see each other per yeat but that is not always easy to schedule when we have directors all over the world. [15:00] Just that you've to deal with one of best people in tech :) [15:01] Yes :) That is an upside! [15:01] Having a positive impact on our community definitely makes my job worth while. [15:02] That's why one of my favorite shirts is the one from PyCon Pune 2017... [15:02] nicely plugged :) [15:03] Just the truth :) [15:03] true :) [15:04] For those interested, I recently posted a 2017 recap for the PSF: http://pyfound.blogspot.com/2018/01/2017-year-in-review.html [15:04] I mainly concentrated on PSF stuff and not PyCon, but I think it will give folks a good idea as to what the PSF works on. [15:06] ! [15:06] My twitter account is @ewa_jodlowska. Feel free to share yours with me so I can make sure I am following you all! [15:06] next [15:06] silly question, but how much is the PSF funded by common folk? [15:06] and how much by corporates? [15:07] Not a silly question at all. [15:08] jasonbraganza: I also had this question. [15:08] The PSF is mainly funded by the revenue that PyCon creates. Furthermore, we have several corporate sponsors that either sponsor the PSF with money or with services (such as cloud services or cdn) [15:08] Individual donations make up a small percentage of the revenue but every bit counts. [15:09] Thank you Ewa and I’m @jasonbraganza on twitter :) [15:09] In the past, we have never been active with fundraising but that is something we started in 2017 with our first online donation drive. [15:09] We got approx. $13,000 USD from it which was amazing. [15:10] We plan on doing another one at PyCon in Cleveland, OH. [15:10] ! [15:10] next [15:11] ewa_jodlowska: I also saw tweets and posts about PyLadies Auction in PyCons. Can you tell more about it? Does it also contribute to the revenue and how? [15:11] Great question! [15:12] saptaks, the money that is brought in from the PyLadies auction goes to the PyLadies fiscal sponsorship account [15:12] That is earmarked for their use only. [15:13] The PyLadies auction is a fun event to attend so when you can make it to PyCon, I recommend it. [15:13] Sponsors can donate items to the auction. [15:13] Okay. Btw I did read the blog about 2017 recap. And I am Saptak013 on twitter. [15:14] ewa_jodlowska: I had another question. [15:14] We then have a live auction where items go from $5 USD to $4,000 USD. [15:14] Sure saptaks [15:15] ewa_jodlowska: So I have often seen people complain that some conferences are becoming very self centered because of which other volunteers get less interested in participating sometimes. So how do you strike the balance between not making it look self centered as well as managing the volunteers in a conference. [15:16] To make sure I understand, when you say "self centered" do you mean they do not welcome new people or simply are not looking to get new people involved? [15:17] saptaks, would you please clarify self centred? like in a for eg? [15:17] seems ewa_jodlowska had the same thought :) [15:18] ewa_jodlowska jasonbraganza self centered as in the other volunteers feel that only a few people are controlling everything and making the final decisions. [15:18] aaaah [15:19] Thank you for clarifying saptaks. That is not an easy situation. [15:19] But as I understand after taking the opinion of everyone it is some people who have to finally take most decisions. So how to strike a balance between these two. [15:20] Are they transparent with the decisions they are making or are they keeping all of the information for themselves as well? [15:21] ewa_jodlowska: well decisions are mostly taken in mailing lists in most of conferences. So I guess that is more or less transparent. [15:24] I'd suggest to the group that they act with transparency by making all information (including financial) available to the entire organizing group. I don't think it is bad habit to have someone making the final calls so to speak as long as they are open and also consider input from others such as suggestions or possible new practices. [15:25] ewa_jodlowska: Makes sense. Thanks. [15:25] I guess we already went almost an hour extra in the session. [15:26] Overall, it is not an easy task to organize a conference between volunteers. I think about this often especially when I think of how PyCon is currently run. I wish we had enough resources to have paid staff help each PyCon but unfortunately we do not. [15:27] so it’s a delicate balancing act [15:27] kushal: Sorry! but not really sorry :P [15:27] ewa_jodlowska: From a volunteer's perspective, I personally find it an honor to volunteer in conferences and I am sure many would agree. But from an organiser's perspective, I guess it does make sense. [15:27] It is. Also, I think the balance is different for each group. [15:28] I will end the session here, but Ewa is there on twitter, so feel free ask her any questions, you can ask any of other PSF directors or staff members, or PyCon volunteers too. [15:28] ewa_jodlowska, Thank you once again for the amazing insight. [15:28] Saptaks: I understand that feeling. ----END CLASS----