Attendees:

Agenda:

• General check-in
• Discuss and recommend updated messaging about Fedora renewal. Steering met and would like to send out an earlier renewal message, and to contextualize the message with the current remote learning/research mode our institutions are using right now.

The message would still focus on Fedora 6 but would also incorporate the need and value of digital collections and digital repositories in light of the remote work/learning environment. 

For context:

Fedora renewal script (current)

Notes:

Update on budget - will be looking at worse case scenarios for the budget at the upcoming Steering and Leadership meetings. Suggestion for sending out invoices earlier than later possibly. Everything is up in the air. Determining what a reasonable budget is given the current the state of affairs. 

Renewal letter for Fedora - David shares with our group. Could we update the preamble to focus on the current situation. This is a good time to focus on the value of digital collections. Usage is higher for digital collections. Send the letter and ask if people would like an early invoice, or get commitments, or find out whether they aren't able to do a membership. And acknowledge we realize/understand the current circumstances and is a tough decision for some. 

Question about a combined email in the past from Duraspace - going forward with Lyrasis will there be separate invoices? Does it make more sense to send a combined letter?? 

Like the idea about asking for an invoice sooner than later... budget cuts haven't started to show up yet but campuses may be looking to reallocate things.

Let's put a few sentences at the beginning. Something about the value of Fedora in these times of remote working/teaching/learning and the need to maintain access and steward open access/digital collections and preservation. Acknowledge that this is a challenging time and that difficult decisions will need to be made. 

Renewal notice out within the next two weeks with an offer to do early invoicing. 

Question about the message about the importance of Fedora and similar systems in these times. Can we send out a message summarizing the resources that are out there in the community, which would also highlight value of the program. Archivespace did a message about mailing lists, how to get on Slack, etc. 

Pointing people to materials to train on Fedora and do more would be beneficial for people working remotely. We can point to the materials in adjacent communities. David can share a draft message to send out to the communities, is valuable to send something out. 

Events cancelled for immediate future - can we go to an online format in lieu of the regional/in-person meetings? Organize an online user event - wouldn't take too much to put together. Samvera virtual connect - there's documentation/best practices from them about how best to do this work. 

Could organize user event similar to a user group meeting with talks. Tying to Fedora 6 - a nice opportunity for such a meeting. Timeline for Fedora 6 - beta release this year... software won't be ready for a little while yet. Could be preparing people for getting ready. Possibly the DC region users group could continue to plan for a meeting that could be turned to virtual. User group in Germany might be another option. We won't know how things will look going forward, so some advanced planning around virtual events seems like a good idea. Also consider 'virtual coffee/happy hour" time - and also allowing for check-in time. 

Next Steps:

Updated letter for renewals - read/add comments now, and David will resend to the group when he updates the draft. Specially about striking right tone, using right language, etc.

Message to community about resources/support in the shift to online/remote work - David will draft and ask for input from us. Will include sections of the message on Samvera and Islandora as well.

Consider planning a virtual Fedora event - timing wise, could we have it timed with Fedora 6? Talk to folks at LYRASIS and Fedora leaders. Work with regional user groups in DC and Germany to see if this is of interest.