talkgroup audit (2020)

[maiki]

Okay, let’s see if any of these questions make sense for talkgroups, with the intent to invite participation.

@maiki

A clear mission — why does this project exist? what is it setting out to achieve?

This makes sense, and should be covered in a talkgroups description (personal talkgroups might get away with being more arcane; or perhaps each talkgroup chooses it’s own level of invitation to participate).

@maiki

An invitation to participate — do you have an unambiguous call to action?

Yes, this should be a point: if a talkgroup wants folks to do something, explain it and make it easy. I say this knowing I’ve written all these descriptions without calls to action.

@maiki

Easy onboarding — are there small, simple tasks/activities that new volunteers can begin with?

For talkgroups this means breaking the prior step into discrete actionable tasks.

@maiki

A modular approach — do volunteers have to commit to helping with everything , or is there a way which they can use their knowledge, skills, and interests to contribute to part of the project?

Not as applicable, as talkgroups are channels that support efforts (though some talkgroups are the sole expression of an effort). If it isn’t apparent which kinds of activities or skillsets happen in a talkgroup, it could be explained.

@maiki

Strong leadership — do the people in control of the project embody the mission? do they have the respect of volunteers? have they got the capacity to make the project a success?

Matters for some talkgroups, which will have either “ownership groups” or community moderators (and in many senses these will serve as the same function, being that talkgroup.xyz is essentially a friend-of-a-friend network it doesn’t come into play as often.

However, I’m the least qualified to comment on this. I don’t believe I provide strong leadership on any projects here, I’m just slow and smart, an incredibly frustrating boundary to participation.

Maybe talkgroups as channels means the effort is where strong leadership matters, not really the meta of a talkgroup.

@maiki

Ways of working openly and transparently — does the project have secret areas, or is everything out in the open?

I hope this is self-evident, but perhaps we can use a standard line reminding everyone everything is public conversation (and also when it isn’t!).

@maiki

Backchannels and watercoolers — are there ‘social’ spaces for members of the project to interact over and above those focused on project aims?

talkgroups can be these things. I like to link to other resources from the about topic. Other talkgroups (think of the overlap between Mediaclub and Gaming, or Webcraft, Science and Technology, and Digital Safety), jabber conferences, websites, federated media accounts, those sorta things.

@maiki

Celebration of milestones — does the project recognise the efforts and input of volunteers?

At first I’m like, aw, I so am not good at celebrating achievements. It’s part of “not a strong leader”. But then I thought: maybe just discussing topics as we close them, and our liberal use of fun badges fills in that spot. I mean, it’s entirely possible maiki started talkgroup as an augmented reality game, but is too lazy to commit…