Having worked many years for a charity, I can state that these feelings are common to organizations that rely on volunteers. This community is certainly of a different nature, but unless there is a structure put in place to recognize, to reward, and/or to somehow compensate people for the work they do it simply won't happen. Assuming not everyone is in this altruistically, it seems that some means to address the issue of recognition for ideas, proposals, and accomplishments need be brought about.<snip>
And moreover, it is open source software development - and that is based on meritocracy.
So how do marketers recognize and accept new ideas? How do they recognize accomplishment?
Or better yet: How can we as a project do these things?
A good first step involves no "structure" at all. It is simply people (particularly leaders, but not only them) recognising and praising -- in public -- people's efforts and accomplishments.
Here are two important principles of good leadership: 1) Praise in public, criticise in private.
By all means, discuss pros and cons of issues on the list; that's one of the reasons the list is there. But also recognise and praise people for their ideas and accomplishments.
2) Say something positive about an idea before saying something negative about it.
Not everyone is primarily motivated by recognition, but I suspect that a very large number of the active people in OOo are, and it will never de-motivate anyone to be praised and recognised.
That's not all that needs to be done, but it's simple and easy and takes no organisation or approval whatsoever to put into action. It needs to be genuine, though.
Regards, Jean
--------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
