Some reflections on 2015 and what’s ahead for 2016

[Chase Southard]

Some reflections on 2015 and what’s ahead for 2016. 

Given the general goal to teach something, learn something and make new friends, I think 2015 was a success. We had to cancel Code Across last year due to massive snowfall, but that’s OK as our National Day of Civic Hacking event was lots of fun. This year, I suggest  we plan to participate in both events plus host another local or regional event in the fall. 

Last year our focus on health and human services has been quite successful. We are very close to launching our Get Help Lex application built in cooperation with Substance Abuse and Violence Intervention Program at LFUCG. A big THANK YOU to all those in OpenLexington and LexLadiesCode who have helped with this project. If you want to learn what it’s all about and how you can get involved with this effort please visit: https://github.com/openlexington/finda 

From my perspective, we could be better at our self-governance. I’m all for the self-directed, laissez faire, do what makes you happy management style, but sometimes it seems that plan of action is not always the best. Perhaps, the other areas that need improvement like communication, onboarding, and outreach will benefit from new thinking at the core team level. Likewise, I need to be better at delegation and concentrated effort. I’m happy to continue as an organizer despite some burnout, because I know what we’ve got here is pretty great.  Having said that, if you’d like to participate on the core team (Captain, Delivery Lead, Community Organizer and Storyteller) please let me know. If you’re currently on the core team and you’d switch up your role or mode please do so.

This new year is not without challenges, however, we will no longer receive an operating budget from Code for America. Instead, we will have to raise our own funds using CfA as our fiscal sponsor. That means that expenses for major events, hack nights, infrastructure and so on will need to come from donors. This is going to be a new and huge challenge for us. If you know of possible corporate donations for events and/or continued operating expenses please let me know. 

This is also not without opportunity. I see increased cooperation with like-minded local/regional groups like our sister brigade in Louisville the Civic Data Alliance,  LexLadiesCode, Run Jump Dev, Collexion, Javascript Users Group, and many others. 

Current action items:

• Start on 2016 Strategic Plan (including budget)
  
• Restart regular hack nights. Blocked by available free meeting space. 
  
• Assemble information for fund raising
  
• Revamp Website (including better onboarding and how to give money)
  
• CodeAcross event planning
  

All the best for an excellent new year