Continuing the Discussion

To those who attended Tuesday’s discussion on OpenGoddard’s future: Thank You!

Here’s what we talked about. Let’s keep this discussion going!

Key Points

OpenGoddard’s key strength is in how it brings together dynamic people from diverse backgrounds on Center. Many said they benefit simply from exchanging ideas with others.

OpenGoddard’s other strength is it’s “not on the org chart”. As an unofficial group, it has freedom to try unique ideas. Similarly, it shouldn’t do what others at Goddard are already paid to do.

There used to be a culture at Goddard that encouraged people to “stay after 5pm”, strengthening the community through social events and shared interests. OpenGoddard’s projects or events, or mere existence, may serve to restore part of that culture.

General direction for new projects and events: create opportunities for people to meet, interact, and learn about other parts of the Center.

Potential New Projects

Organize ‘on-campus field trips’ to facilities like the NSSDC. Meet at a facility, meet the staff, get a guided tour, and ask questions. Facilities would fund and organize the events; OpenGoddard could develop a basic event format, encourage facilities to host them, and then help promote them, singly or as a series.

Support ‘community-building’ activities: The Public Affairs office plans to release a ’space-book’ site (social network for Goddard employees) this spring. The TV production group, meanwhile, would like to record Goddard employees on video sharing why they work at GSFC. One-minute stories could be shared internally or on “space-book” profile pages; longer pieces could appear on YouTube. OpenGoddard could organize a ‘kickoff’ event for one or both activities: introduce employees to social networking, encourage them to tape their one-minute videos, and let them mingle in real life.

‘Lightning talk’ events: Let Goddard employees introduce themselves in their native language: PowerPoint! Employees present their current or past work, personal background/interests, or an interesting idea in five minutes or less.

Write a concise definition of OpenGoddard: whether we call it a “Mission statement”, “elevator speech”, or “haiku”, describe what OpenGoddard is and does in sixty seconds / fifty words or less.