[Events] [Bpw-staff] Boston Python Workshop news: $3300 grant from the PSF!

[Asheesh Laroia]

Excerpts from Lukas Blakk's message of Mon Oct 31 20:27:22 -0400 2011:
> Not sure what the exact terms of the grant are but is 'giving up' the
> domain name necessary? If a partnership is possible that would be great.
> PyStar has a decent community already and the existing framework as well as
> core organizers in several cities.
> 
> Would it be good to set up a phone meeting to discuss this idea more?

Hi Gregg and Lukas!

I think that it would be splendid if PyStar and BPW worked together 
more. I think chatting on the phone would be great.

Three possible times, US/Eastern:

* Friday Nov 4, 4 PM

* Mon Nov 7, 1 PM

* Tue Nov 8, 6 PM

Jessica and I can make any of those! Lukas and Gregg, which work for 
you? (I'd say others are welcome, too; you are the people I consider it 
crucial to have on the call.)

Lukas and Gregg, you seemed to bring up different points so I'll respond 
quickly to both of them so that we're all on the same page.

Lukas, you asked about us collaborating with PyStar events, I think 
that's very likely what we'll do! This grant only covers a small number 
of workshops outside of Boston, so sadly it can't be a general source of 
money to fund outreach initiatives generally. The Python Software 
Foundation (and the Outreach and Education Committee) are likely good 
places to send grant proposals to fund similar events, though!

Gregg asked if PyStar might be willing to lend the PyStar name to our 
events. That would be interesting, and leads me to think about what it 
would be like to merge the two efforts.

So the rest of this email is my thoughts about merging (or not) PyStar 
and the Boston Python Workshop.

On merging
----------

First, it's totally okay for the world to have lots of active 
programming teaching efforts. Actually, it's a great thing to have lots 
of these efforts.

For BPW and PyStar, I do think that we have so much in common that we'd 
be better-served to work directly together!

In organizing the Boston Python Workshop, our goals are to diversify 
existing communities, and also to take advantage of existing 
communities' capacity for mentorship of newcomers. For the events we've 
put together, working with a local user group has been a driving force.

For the workshops we want to do with the grant, we want to retain that 
commitment to diversifying existing communities rather than creating 
islands of excitement that might die out for lack of membership. We 
think it's a key part of what has made our efforts successful in Boston.

On the topic of PyStar and BPW working together more closely -- when BPW 
goes on the road, we hope to give these workshops a name that applies to 
workshops with this commitment. To put things more concretely, I'm 
really happy to have been able to talk with Dana in Philadelphia about 
PyStar Philly, and I'm glad that now they're more of a part of the 
Philly Python User Group.

The materials about the on-the-road BPW should emphasize that sort of 
collaboration because it's part of our effort's DNA. We also think it's 
something great that PyStar can adopt generally. It means that attendees 
can benefit from the existing user group when the diversity-oriented 
volunteers want to take a break!

So one of the things I'd want to talk about is if PyStar would be 
willing to adopt that commitment.

Also, as OpenHatch turns into a non-profit of its own, BPW is becoming 
more closely a part of that. I think it will help with fundraising. I 
hope you have been pleased with the discussion and do-ocracy approach we 
take to our efforts, and I think it might be great to join our efforts 
on those terms.

What PyStar has already done is impressive. It is no small feat to put 
together teaching workshops, and the website makes it super clear how to 
run your own workshop. I'm honored to have been a part of the process 
that got things started.

My only other qualm with the PyStar name is that when I search for it on 
Google, the search engine thinks that I'm looking for computers running 
OS X made by Psystar.

So -- in terms of expanding BPW into something bigger, here are the key 
points for me in the workshops we organize:

* Emphasis on diversifying existing communities
* Free of cost
* Organizational home of OpenHatch

That's what we're going to do, and if it's something that makes sense to 
roll PyStar into, that'd be exciting to talk about. I'm looking forward 
to catching up and learning more about what's important to you folks!

-- Asheesh.