It seems to me that the most effective way to diversify the audience would be to diversify the program.

-Ross.

On Nov 27, 2012, at 10:46 AM, Devon <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> If the numbers are not what we want them to be, if the percentage has plateaued
> or regressed, then I don't think it's enough to be merely concerned, even
> if we're extremely concerned. There are actions we can take to make sure
> the numbers are exactly what we want them be, or very close. For instance,
> we can make it so that a male registration opens up for each female that
> registers. That may be difficult for Francis to make happen for this year,
> but we should consider making it a requirement for future organizers.
> 
> /dev
> 
> 
> On Tue, Nov 27, 2012 at 10:20 AM, Ross Singer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
>> On Nov 27, 2012, at 10:03 AM, Chad Nelson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> 
>>> Rosalyn,
>>> 
>>> If we are only 17% women, when we are subset of the broader Library
>>> community, which is majority women, then we are doing something wrong.
>> And
>>> that deeper question, what do we need to do to encourage more women to
>>> participate in the community, to make the community as a whole appealing
>>> and safe, is the question I am really asking.
>>> 
>> 
>> I'm not entirely sure I agree with this.  The issue is less about where
>> the number is now than where it's going (and how quickly).
>> 
>> Is our (completely hypothetical) 17% up from 2006 (or whenever), when
>> Code4lib started?  If so, then I'm less inclined to panic about the
>> statistics and just continue working towards making the community amenable
>> to more groups.
>> 
>> If it has plateaued or regressed, then, yes, we need to be extremely
>> concerned.
>> 
>> -Ross.
>> 
>>> Chad
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Tue, Nov 27, 2012 at 9:57 AM, Rosalyn Metz <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> I think first we would need to do a survey of how many women are in the
>>>> community.  if it turns out that this community is only 17% women then
>>>> we're on target.  who knows, maybe we're actually 10% women and we're
>> way
>>>> above target.  in which case the real question might be "how do we get
>> more
>>>> women in tech."
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On Tue, Nov 27, 2012 at 9:11 AM, Chad Nelson <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> Ooops. Hit the wrong key.
>>>>> 
>>>>> So, about our presenters...
>>>>> 
>>>>> Is it a problem that only 4 of our 33 presenters are women? Or that
>> only
>>>> 16
>>>>> of 95 proposers were women?
>>>>> 
>>>>> Is there something this community needs to do to encourage more women
>> to
>>>>> feel like they can and should speak / propose sessions?
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Sent from my GMail account.