Ambassadors

Our Local Ambassadors

Local Ambassadors are connected to the Open Knowledge community in each of their cities.  They are the best people to talk to first if you want to get involved with Open Knowledge Australia:

Our Topic Ambassadors

Topic Ambassadors have a particular interest in some aspect of Open XYZ?  These people stay up to date on this topic globally and are the first port of call if you want to know more about one of these types of #OpenKnowledge. Our topic ambassadors include:

  • Craig Butt  #DataJournalism #OpenData
  • Darren Sharp #ShareEconomy
  • Jake Spicer #OpenAccess #OpenScholarship #Melbourne
  • Paul Szymkowiak @PaulZee #OpenMaker #OpenHardware #Melbourne
  • Steve Bennett @Stevage1 #OpenData #Maps #Melbourne

The Role of Local Ambassadors

Open Knowledge Australia’s Local Ambassadors are the premier volunteer role; they are the “face of open knowledge” for their local area, and are expected to demonstrate exemplar behaviour as per our code of conduct.  There is no minimum commitment we ask from local ambassadors as almost all of them are actively doing things on a week to week basis, i.e. you are recognised in the community for your activities.  Likely activities for a local ambassador include:

  • Run a monthly meetup, hackfest and/or breakfast to engage existing and new members.
  • Participate in one of the major events which Open Knowledge supports, such as #OKCon, #GovHack, #HealthHack, #OpenDataDay etc.
  • Write blog posts and take pictures of events and activities which push forward the cause of Open Knowledge.
  • Actively monitor the Open Knowledge Australia Twitter account, both re-tweeting and posting your own appropriate content alongside your fellow Open Knowledge Australia members.
  • Give presentations and speak on Open Knowledge at community events.

Local Ambassadors are creative in their community building and practice their own form of “do-ocracy”.

The Role of Topic Ambassadors

Topic Ambassadors for Open Knowledge Australia are similar to Local Ambassadors except that they declare a particular area of ‘open expertise’ (such as #OpenGovernment #OpenScience #Open).  By declaring yourself a Topic Ambassador you are expected to work with your Local Ambassador to put on events and activities that help push forward your local open expertise.  On average, a Topic Ambassador will spend a 3-12 hours per month volunteering their time. Likely activities for Topic Ambassadors include (but are not limited to):

  • Organise events and speakers which will help push forward the Open Knowledge expertise which you support.
  • Participate in one of the major events which Open Knowledge supports, such as #OkCon #GovHack, #HealthHack, #OpenDataDay, etc.
  • Write blog posts and take pictures of events and activities which push forward the cause of Open Knowledge.
  • Give presentations and speak on Open Knowledge at community events.