Outreach Team

Want to get involved in work at OSDV?

We've got a range of tasks and roles for helping get out the word about OSDV, what we're doing, and what we can offer now. Read for a summary and list of work you could help with.

Summary

The work results of OSDV -- re-inventing how America votes with technology we can trust -- belongs to you as one of our members and supporters. That re-invention is a unique American property, held in the public trust by the OSDV and freely available to all. Its your stuff. And the more citizens we can encourage to join the Cause of OSDV, the more that we can accomplish toward delivering trustworthy voting systems for future elections.

We've all complained about problems with the current voting systems, and now doing real work to fix it. No single individual can have all the answers, but we know if we put a bunch of smart people together, they're going to figure it out. That has been done with Firefox, LINUX, and many more -- and now, with your encouragement, efforts, and support, we're all going to have the same impact on voting technology.

Sure, part of that is the work of the developer community, but aside from the techies' work, there is also a lot to do for the rest of us. The most important help needed is in telling the world about the Open Source Digital Voting Foundation and its projects.

Programs, Tasks, and Roles:

Here are some of the ways you could help us:

• Trust the Vote: This is our primary outreach program. The current project in TTV is a "Cause" on Facebook, where OSDV Supporters can join the Cause and help us encourage others to do the same. Expanding membership in the cause is a key goal, and of couse so is expanding the membership who donate to the cause
• Blog the Vote: Many of you discuss, entertain (and more importantly) inform communities, friends, and casual readers about things that matter to you. And how America votes matters to you as much as us. Whether you totally agree with everything we're trying to do, or only parts of it, your comments, opinions, and support are important. That's right, we so believe in the work of OSDV that we are not concerned about having differing opinions. We're more interested in the discussion. And we hope you can catalyze the conversation, either in your own venue, those of others, or in the OSDV Blog.
• Events & Gatherings Managers: From time to time, the OSDV Foundation will host events and community gatherings to educate the public about the process of voting and the challenges of voting technology, as well as conduct focus groups and gather public input. The OSDV needs volunteers and occasionally part-time paid positions to help us organize and produce these events around the country. The OSDV provides the resources, but needs your intellectual and physical capabilities to make them happen.
• Fund Raising: There's plenty of scope for the efforts of folks who enjoy fund-raising as well, ranging from grass-roots efforts to grants large and small. While much of the project-based work of OSDV can be funded with grants from large philanthropic organizations, the foundation's day-to-day operations (like keeping the web site up, paying the rent, and developing our core engineering team) all depend on individual donations. That form of community outreach - all over America - needs your help wherever you live.
• Outeach Co-ordinators: We also need folks who can co-ordinate the work of others as we develop more outreach programs do a more activities in each program. One example is a new program for grass-roots fund-raising efforts, including some with performance awards and incentives.

Those are just some of the ways you could help us! Please contact us to learn more and discuss your interest in helping get the work done.