As a wholly volunteer-driven effort, Open Source Bridge is always looking for volunteers who are interested in helping us create a successful event for Open Source developers—and for Portland. If this sounds like something that interests you, a great first step is signing up for one or more of the discussion groups, below:
If you like what you hear and are interested in contributing additional effort, we’ll make sure you have something to do.
Rest assured, joining any of the discussion lists doesn’t obligate you as a volunteer… yet. We’re simply looking forward to having you as part of the conversation.
General discussion list
The general discussion list is for keeping up with the latest happenings, asking questions about general issues, volunteers who aren’t sure where they fit, or sharing information with the team at large.
Join the General discussion group.
Content
The content team is responsible for soliciting speakers, soliciting reviewers for talks, reviewing talk submissions, working with curators, wrangling the schedule and helping coordinate the unconference portion of the conference.
What types of volunteers are needed? The Content team needs folks who are ready to get their hands dirty with writing, contacting speakers, and contributing your ideas for fabulous content. Writers, readers, people willing to write email and complete varied tasks are all welcome.
Join the Content discussion group.
Finance
The Finance team is charged with handling all things money. Volunteers will help secure money from sponsors and other donors, keep track of where it’s spent, make sure it’s repaid to those who buy conference-related items, and above all, make sure there’s enough of it.
What types of volunteers are needed? The Finance team needs volunteers who are organized and detail-oriented people who aren’t afraid to crack the whip as needed. Previous accounting and/or conference organizing experience is highly desirable.
Join the Finance discussion group.
Logistics
The Logistics team is where the magic happens! These are the people who are volunteering to help virtually all the other teams with things “on the ground.” Whether it’s checking badges at the actual event or helping get the wifi working ahead of time, this is the group for “Swiss Army” people.
Logistics will work closely with Technology and Facilities to help get—and keep—things running smoothly.
What types of volunteers are needed? The Logistics team needs volunteers who are interested in being on the ground at the conference itself, helping make sure that everything goes off without a hitch. If you don’t like dealing with people and solving problems, this probably isn’t the group for you.
Join the Logistics discussion group.
Marketing
The Marketing team is the easiest job of them all. (See how I just used marketing there?) You get to watch all of the other teams do cool stuff and then help tell other people about that cool stuff. What could be better? This team will be managing communications surrounding the conference, before, during, and after.
What types of volunteers are needed? The Marketing team needs volunteers who like to create content and keep people informed. Graphic designers, Web designers, writers, bloggers, podcasters, video experts, Twitter users, media relations, event promotion types, advertising experts, … you know who you are. As an added bonus, this is one of the best volunteer groups to join if you’re from out of town.
Join the Marketing discussion group.
Technology
Interested in using your technology chops to help show that Portland is a leader in open source? The technology team is responsible for writing and supporting applications that provide the organization’s online presence, and running the servers these applications live on. They offer online services for the Marketing and Content teams, and assist the Logistics team with suggestions for wireless networking, audio-video, and computers on-site at the conference.
What types of volunteers are needed? The Technology Experience team needs volunteers interested in supporting applications, writing software, managing servers, etc. But, obviously, all types of technically-oriented folks are welcome.