Hi Vipul!

We discussed this at today's Mindshare meeting [https://meetbot.fedoraproject.org/fedora-mindshare/2022-02-10/mindshare.2022-02-10-20.00.html]... we had some questions (and I had some further ones in writing this up):

1. You state that FMS is intended to be an unconference, but based on the budget request it comes across more like a professional development conference. These are two very different types of events. Can you help us understand what kind of event you're aiming for? If it is an unconference, what is the focus of the breakouts meant to be?

2. It appears the main goals of the event are to allow mentors to network with each other, and to reward mentors for having mentored, is that right? How would the agenda reflect that? If it's a two day event, how many hours each day? How do you see those hours being arranged? How would you account for different timezones?

3. For $100 per attendee, total $2k ask, it seems like you anticipate 20 attendees... but to bring a $1k keynote for 20 people [is this a 20-person event?], when a $1k keynote could easily apply to a much larger audience is something to consider. Whereas, the training might be constrained by an upper bound of attendees, in contrast.

4. Are there specific keynoters / workshop trainers you have in mind or are evaluating?

5. What specific topics do you have in mind for the training? Are there specific skills or needs mentors have identified wanting to develop?

6. Generally, is there any specific issues-to-address or areas for growth being targeted by the event? Have we heard specific feedback from mentees / mentors about areas of need this event could be tailored to help address through targeted training etc? How do we know this event made a positive impact afterwards in Fedora's overall quality of mentoring / mentoring efforts? For example: are we looking to improve the quality of mentoring? Are we looking to increase the quantity of mentorships? Are we looking to recruit more mentees? Etc. What specific end goals do you have in mind?

7. How will the attendee / invitee list be determined?

8. Does the request for swag include shipping? Would it be ok to use pre-existing swag inventory to augment say a single high-quality mentor summit branded item (like a backpack?) in a swag pack?

I think that about covers it, and hope this is good food for thought.

Hi Vipul!
\o :)

1. You state that FMS is intended to be an unconference, but based on the budget request it comes across more like a professional development conference. These are two very different types of events. Can you help us understand what kind of event you're aiming for? If it is an unconference, what is the focus of the breakouts meant to be?

The goal is to offer a place for mentors to brainstorm ideas to make mentorship efforts sustainable. The reason of un-conference because we are not expecting a lot of participants, and other than the workshop and a couple of talks, most sessions are to be panel discussions/open sessions sort of format. We also want to make it a worthwhile for participant to attend the event, thus offering some learning option. Also, I am not too hooked on the word "un-conference". If this is confusing, I am totally okay to replace with something like meetup or even conference.

1. It appears the main goals of the event are to allow mentors to network with each other, and to reward mentors for having mentored, is that right?

Yes, but also becoming part of mentorship as an effort in the project instead of just during the program timeline.

How would the agenda reflect that?

We expect to have mix of different events. As mentioned above, we are hoping to cram in a workshop, a couple of talks, and some discussion/brainstorming sessions. Reward will be exclusive (hate this word but just something unique as incentive) swag + opportunity to learn from a professional workshop.

If it's a two day event, how many hours each day?

Yes, it's a 2 day event because we don't want to have more than 3-4 hours event in a day. I am expecting 7-8 hours of total time (3/4 on each days).

How do you see those hours being arranged? How would you account for different timezones?

"Timezones are hard™" but the best solution seem to be just like most of the other Fedora event we do. Early US/Afternoon UTC/Evening APAC (think 2-5 UTC -- just an example). See this comment https://pagure.io/mentor-summit/mentor-summit/issue/2#comment-775208

1. For $100 per attendee, total $2k ask, it seems like you anticipate 20 attendees... but to bring a $1k keynote for 20 people [is this a 20-person event?], when a $1k keynote could easily apply to a much larger audience is something to consider. Whereas, the training might be constrained by an upper bound of attendees, in contrast.

Yes, I understand the problem here (about keynote).. I am hoping we don't have to use that part of budget (and if I can utilize internal Red Hat OSPO resources) but as none of the budget needs to be handed or transferred to anyone account, all unused budget would remain in the mindshare. If we find that we don't need to get the keynote speaker, we won't be touching this part.. but if in case we do find a great mentor focused keynote speaker, we won't be able to ask for more budget as we go. So this is an upper bound - "we may need it" part of budget.
And yes, training would be bound by number of participant -- thus want to finalize the budget we have so we can cap the number of participant and then open to community for "participation application of sort"

1. Are there specific keynoters / workshop trainers you have in mind or are evaluating?

We are looking for recommendations. Would love to know if you have one :)

1. What specific topics do you have in mind for the training? Are there specific skills or needs mentors have identified wanting to develop?

There are no specific topic in mind yet (don't want to restrict anything yet) but it must be around mentorship. One idea I thought of was "Giving and receiving feedback". There are also some good Red Hat internal trainings we can explore. What I want to develop is contributors sustainability (Interns) and how mentors can support without the program feeling over commitment. Another topic I would like to address is to having correct scoping of projects

1. Generally, is there any specific issues-to-address or areas for growth being targeted by the event? Have we heard specific feedback from mentees / mentors about areas of need this event could be tailored to help address through targeted training etc? How do we know this event made a positive impact afterwards in Fedora's overall quality of mentoring / mentoring efforts? For example: are we looking to improve the quality of mentoring? Are we looking to increase the quantity of mentorships? Are we looking to recruit more mentees? Etc. What specific end goals do you have in mind?

In past we have had troubles getting projects and mentors. When we do find some, they feel it's a lot of work and often not so rewarding for mentors. It's also been difficult to scope the projects properly. We are looking to learn and understand how we can increase mentorship efforts in the Fedora Project.
Specific goals: Have more mentors interested in participating in mentored projects.

1. How will the attendee / invitee list be determined?

Thankfully, as the event is online, it will be open for all. What's not open for all is the places where $$$ get involved.
1. Workshop:
This depends on budget, the cost of training. If we have a fixed amount for training and no participant count limit, we will keep it open for all. If we do have a limit or participant, then Quoting from the original ticket
"We will invite mentors who were part of the mentored-project programs first, and left seats can be given to other community members with either first come first serve basis, or as per mindshare voting."
2. Swag:
We want to "reward" mentors who participated in the mentored projects.

1. Does the request for swag include shipping?

No, as there doesn't seem any easy way to estimate costs of shipment to them without having address.. and this cost is also bared by Logistics team in Red Hat (and not mindshare)

Would it be ok to use pre-existing swag inventory to augment say a single high-quality mentor summit branded item (like a backpack?) in a swag pack?

Sure! but what we do need to focus is the reward factor of having something different. If mindshare committee wishes to include more items, that's definitely welcomed :)

I think that about covers it, and hope this is good food for thought.

Loved them, I hope I was able to answer!
If not, please do point them again and I would try to break down in better language :)

Fedora Mentor Summit was on April 1st and 2nd
Closing this ticket as stale