[Actionchix] Linux Chix mag - Open call for all volunteers (editors, designers, approvers, translators) - Closes Saturday Sept. 15th

[Selbak, Rolla N]

Hey all,

While we're waiting for our Drupal setup for the Linux Chix mag, I
thought we could get started on forming our groups for the mag.  The
groups are: "Editor Team", "Design Team", "Translator Team", "Approver
Team".

*Note: keep in mind that the below content probably needs editing itself
before it is posted on the Drupal site as part of the guidelines and
such.  I don't profess to be the greatest writer  :) 


Contents
---------
1. Team Roles & Responsibilities
2. Joining more than one group
3. Pros and Cons of joining
4. How to Volunteer
5. Note on Teams working together


1. -- Team Roles & Responsibilities --

Formed teams are free to change the name of their team to something more
fun of course  :)

"Editor Team" - the Chix we will depend on for editing all the articles
that are submitted and approved.  They have a knack for molding engaging
and proper writing.  These are the grammar, vocab and spelling
connoisseurs (<- yes I had to look this spelling up).

"Design Team" - the Chix we will depend on for the design of the mag.
The layout, obtaining/creating the art we will use (if each publication
will have a theme for instance), and the overall appearance of the mag.
These are the Georgia O'Keeffe's out there who would love to contribute
their talent to this mag.

"Translator Team" - the Chix we will depend on for translating the
articles.  It is not expected that every single article be translated to
every possible language.  However it would be nice to translate at least
some articles to the language of any contributor who is interested in
sharing an article with an audience of their respective language(s).
These are the multi-linguists who are able to communicate with a global
audience.

"Approver Team" - in essence, the editor-in-chief team.  The Chix who
will make the big approving decisions for accepting articles, giving the
go on the layout and look of the mag, and having the final say on
releasing the publication.  Their role is not to dictate, but rather to
manage and facilitate.  They should regularly hold open, Linux Chix
votes on things like design and theme of the monthly publication.  I
suggest that this group not be more than 5 (odd numbers are always good
for voting purposes).  If we get more than 5 volunteer submissions, an
open vote will be held with each candidate voicing why she feels she is
qualified.

Later on, we will probably have a "Writer Team" for the regular columns
we choose to have.  This isn't included in this particular open call for
now.


2. -- Joining more than one group --

All the groups, except the "Approvers", are not mutually exclusive.
This means you are free to join the Editor, Design and Translator teams
all at the same time.  The "Approvers" (or editors-in-chief) have to be
exclusive obviously, since we don't want a case where a person approves
her own article, design and translation  :)


3. -- Pros and Cons of joining --

Keep in mind that joining these teams means you are willing to dedicate
a portion of your valuable time to helping create, nurture and maintain
the Linux Chix mag.  
Cons: added (and sometimes heavy) responsibility to your careers and
daily lives.  
Pros: you get to be part of the first ever Linux Chix mag in history!!


4. -- How to Volunteer --

Simple - email me the group(s) you'd like to volunteer for.  

The volunteering call will close next Saturday Sept. 15th.  If you miss
the deadline, don't worry.  Later, you can email the respective teams
and ask to join  :)  The goal here is to just get the groups started.

At the end of the volunteer call, I will post the names and associated
groups to this list, and you can tell me if I missed your name or
incorrectly placed you.  

If there seems to be too many cooks in the kitchen (i.e. get 100
designer volunteers), then we'll have to take an open vote.  We'll see
if this is needed when the time comes.



5. -- Note on Teams working together --

Forming the teams is the first step.  Each team will be its own entity.
How the team is managed is totally up to the team itself.  Use the most
open and equal means you can, in the spirit of Chix unity and open
source.  If a team chooses a leader, for instance, make sure she is
democratically elected.  If you choose to all be equal in roles, then
make sure you have a good system in place for when there are hung votes
or disagreements in decisions.

How the teams will interact will be step 2.  I will send out my
suggestion later on, and see what people think.

I am so proud that we are all doing this, and I can't wait to show the
world that the Linux Chix can create an educational, entertaining and
first-rate open source mag using the open source spirit, and breaking
down the gender biases and barriers.  A magazine by Chix for all.  (and
no more servers 'going down' adds!  :p )


rs