[News.eclipse.foundation] Re: [EDP] Mentors Council or Coaching Squad?

[Ed Merks <merks@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Bjorn,

I really hope that I can dispel the notion that I oppose the AC 
improving its mentoring role or that I oppose some other group taking on 
such responsibilities.  I don't recall anyone at the AC taking that 
position. There are more comments to that effect below...


Bjorn Freeman-Benson wrote:
> > > > Jeff McAffer wrote:
> > > > - In fact I was particularly keen on NOT creating a separate group 
> > > > but rather broadening/enhancing the scope of the AC to include 
> > > > propagation of the architectural vision of Eclipse through active 
> > > > mentoring and participation in reviews.
> >> Ed Merks wrote:
> > > I think this was a key point and perhaps a reason for 
> > > misunderstandings. The AC should already be performing this 
> > > important role, and if it's not doing that well, the problems should 
> > > be addressed directly.  If it's an issue of resource, then adding 
> > > more people to the group, rather than creating a new group, would 
> > > make sense.  If it's an issue of skills (there are lots of rules and 
> > > they change a lot), then "we" need to help mentor the mentors...
>
> Ed,
> Now I'm confused - I recall (and I copied into the minutes) that at 
> the last AC meeting you were against having the AC do this mentoring 
> role because mentoring was too process-oriented and not enough about 
> architecture. Perhaps you meant that the AC should do architecture 
> mentoring and that some other body should do process mentoring?
As I said, my reaction was: "Aren't we supposed to be doing this 
already? Is the AC being judged as doing its given role so poorly right 
now that there is a need to create a whole new group to fix the 
problem?"   I think the answers seem to be yes and yes at this point...
> If so, I disagree - I think it works much better to have universal 
> mentors rather than "a mentor for these issues and another mentor for 
> those issues and a third mentor for these other issues and ... etc".
I've personally found that good help is hard to come by.  So if there 
were three different folks I could go to for different kinds of help, as 
a beggar for help, I'd most pleased.  One stop shopping would be even 
better, but beggars can't be choosers.  So bring on the mentors I say.  
Add then to the council, create a new group, or do whatever is deemed 
appropriate. And if I'm personally doing a poor job of mentoring, help 
me do a better one.
> - Bjorn