Dedicated Project Visits

The Founder's Ted Talk

last updated Aug 7, 2013

Introduction

Collaborators who are interested in coming to Factor e Farm in Maysville, Missouri to assist with designing, building and testing the 50 GVCS Machines can apply for a Dedicated Project Visit. Dedicated Project Visits are typically at least one month in duration, but shorter and longer time frames are acceptable. During the Dedicated Project Visit, Dedicated Project Visitors (DPVs) assist with the current development and testing initiatives, which are found in OSE's Master Schedule. However, on occasion, a DPV may request a Specialized Dedicated Project Visit where the DPV works on a GVCS product or OSE initiative that is not part of the Product Development Schedule.

Application and Participation Steps

These are the overall steps for a Dedicated Project Visit:

1. Initial Contact - Please contact OSE's Technical Community Manager: TechCommunity@opensourceecology.org . See Initial DPV Request for pertinent information to include in your inquiry, and any questions you may have as well.
2. Application - After initial contact, we request that applicants fill out the Application format from the next section. Once completed, please inform the Technical Community Manager so OSE staff can review your application.
3. DPV Interview - After reviewing the Application, OSE staff will conduct a short interview to discuss work experience/skills, problem solving skills/abilities/techniques, availability, project interests, and "behavioral" questions typical of a job interview. The interview should take 15-30 minutes.
4. Evaluation - DPV applications are evaluated based upon the following criteria: 1) Applicant's skills, expertise, and interests meet the needs of current OSE objectives; 2) Applicant's "fit" into a communal living environment, and 3) Applicant's ability to work both independently or on a team to meet specific goals/objectives.
5. On-Boarding - Once an offer for a DPV is accepted, a welcome email will be sent to the applicant to include being matched with a DPV sponsor who can answer questions about the DPV experience prior to your arrival. Additional information included in the welcome email can be found at Community Standards and Workshop Guidelines
6. Documentation - all DPV participants are required to follow the same guidelines for documentation as our staff. See Work Log Guidelines.

For remote collaboration, we have Remote Collaboration Standards.

DPV Application

Note that the goal of a Dedicated Project Visit is to produce tangible, significant results that contribute to the creation of the GVCS. We are looking for those who can work both independently and on teams; and who possess initiative and a strong work ethic.

Please post the DPV Application materials on our wiki by starting a wiki page - titled 'Your Name Dedicated Project Visit Application'. See the wiki editing Instructions if you have any questions. If you are not comfortable posting your contact information, just include your email. Please tag your page with the Category:Dedicated Project Visit Applications - see Instructions regarding Categories.

NOTE: If you are not familiar with wiki usage, please contact the Technical Community Manager (TechCommunity@opensourceecology.org) for support. Wiki usage is an important component of OSE collaboration--with a few short tutorials, you will be a whiz at wiki documentation, and the Technical Community Manager is here to help!

1. Name, location, contact info (phone, email, Skype).
2. Are you over the age of 18? (affirm yes or no)
3. When would you be available for a Dedicated Project Visit and for what duration?
4. Please attach a resume or provide a list of work / volunteer experience and education.
5. Please include a photo of yourself.
6. Please submit a 1-2 minute video introduction regarding your interest in applying. This is a video-of-interest (VOI) and it must include: (1) Name and country where you are located, (2) why you are interested in applying; (3) what you would like to contribute to our effort and relevant skill set that will help you do that; (4) what are you hoping to get out of your visit? Please upload this video to a public video sharing site such as YouTube or OpenPhoto.
7. Are you willing to publish all the results of your work openly according to the OSE Open IP Guidelines?
8. Do you have resources to support yourself while volunteering with us?
9. Do you have sample work that you could upload and/or share via email? (ie. projects, designs, technical writing, graphic designs, videos, etc).
10. Are there skills/expertise you hope to gain while a DPV at FeF?
11. Please provide three (3) references (professional or educational). Contact information for references can be uploaded with the application, resume, or emailed directly to the Technical Community Manager: TechCommunity@opensourceecology.org.
12. How did you hear about OSE and the DPV opportunity?
13. Do you have any other concerns or considerations? (May be emailed separately)

Specialized DPV Application

1. Please complete the steps for a DPV Application (above).
2. Please write a one-page proposal brief summarizing what you would like to do, how you would accomplish it, and what resources you would need to do so. Include a budget as necessary.
3. Develop a project plan to include: GVCS product or other OSE-related product/objective (ex: wind turbine prototype development, wiki development or permaculture study). List your goals and deliverables for your Dedicated Project Visit, to include weekly objectives and deliverables. Include the metrics by which you could assess the success of your work.
4. What would you like to get out of your Dedicated Project Visit?
5. Please include sample work of similar projects or scope of responsibility, if available.

Documentation

Documentation is the key to successful open source projects. All visitors to Factor e Farm are asked to bring a digital camera or smart phone with them to document their work. They may also be asked to blog about their progress at the beginning and end of their DPV.

Living and Working Environment

Factor e Farm is a developmental facility. Basic accommodations include shelter, twin beds, showers, flush toilets, kitchen, and washer/dryer. Participants are expected to follow Factor e Farm Guidelines and Factor e Farm Community Standards, and to cover their own food expenses. Pets are not allowed unless specifically negotiated.

Sample Dedicated Project Visit Applications

Scott Eisele Dedicated Project Visit

See Also

• Visit Factor e Farm