[Ambassadors] Mentors, Sponsors, etc...

[Leam Hall]

As a new member to the Ambassadors mailing list, may I offer the 
"Outsider moving in" view?

In both business and military careers I have seen measurable advantage 
in providing a new group member a "sponsor". Small problems that can 
overwhelm the newbie are quickly resolved because the sponsor knows 
where to find the answer. Joining a group and integrating in can be 
emotionally exhausting for those of us who are introverts. It is very 
important to have a 1:1 person we can discuss with and talk to when the 
1:700 overwhelms us.

Beyond the "how much do I know about Fedora" question you might want to 
know what I *feel* about it before you send me off to represent it! If 
an Ambassador is to be a person with some field experience then they 
probably come with a few opinions as well. Maybe some baggage, too. The 
FA program might want to ensure the potential representatives are in 
fact representing Fedora well.

There is also a significant advantage in having a Mentor actually find 
out what I know, or do with my time. For example, if I do some volunteer 
work it might spark some conversations about how I can introduce Fedora 
to the non-profit. Or the ham radio group. Or the sports group that 
needs some scoring software help. Or the adoption service that could use 
a webserver group.

A Mentor might even be useful to find out what latent talents I'd love 
to develop and hook me up with someone who can help my progress. That 
way the other person gets an apprentice, Fedora gets a welcome worker, 
and I get some personal growth.

While having some small conversations with David and Joerg neither of 
them have proposed a requirement to join that really bothers me. The 
clarity of the process could be improved and Joerg has responded well in 
that. David has made himself available for local events and put forth a 
good image for Fedora. In both cases there has been a social exchange 
based on equality. They listen to me, I listen to them, and I have come 
to trust their opinions based on the interactions we've had. Both Joerg 
and David have earned my respect and now are free to provide critique if 
I need to evaluate some personal behavior before representing Fedora to 
the world.

If there is a process to go through before becoming a full privileged 
Ambassador, I have no problems doing so. Call me a Diplomat, an 
Ambassador in Training, or just a flunkey; it doesn't matter. But show 
me by your willingness to invest in me that I'm important and that by 
association Fedora is important. You will then get a clear view of what 
I can provide and have a motivated worker on your team.

Leam