Stepping down from the IRC team

[Dave Walker]

Martin Meredith wrote:
> To whom it may concern,
>
> Over the last few months, my interactions with the rest of the team seem to be
> moving along the path where I no longer feel that I can be a part of the IRC
> team any longer.  The current attitude within the team feels to me to be an
> elitist one, and that every comment, every action is scrutinised and jumped upon
> if it's not the "one true path".
>
> I rarely talk anymore within the Ubuntu Ops channel, as anytime I have done,
> I'm made to feel as if I've done something wrong.
>
> I believe myself to be a good operator, and I tend to try and do things in a
> different way to the rest of the team, trying to mediate, rather than just to
> kick and ban.  However, I feel that I no longer have (and possibly never have had)
> the rest of the team behind my actions.
>
> For this, and the general disillusionment and disenchantment that I feel within
> the team, I respectfully step down from my position as operator.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Martin "Mez" Meredith
>
>   
Hi Mez,

I suspected I was the only one feeling this shift in the -ops teams
attitude. 

I am glad you've raised this issue in a an open manner, hopefully some
constructive and fruitful dialogue can happen out of this.  It is
unfortunate that you felt that this issue couldn't be resolved without
falling on your own sword.

The -ops team has been tainted with elitism of varying levels for a long
time.  It's currently the *only* place in the Ubuntu ecosphere where I
have witnessed a condescending, and what feels like an almost dislike of
people who have varying opinions, to that of the "one true path" that
Mez mentions.

There is certainly a clique within the team, and in itself isn't always
a bad thing IMO, as it can help with team bonding.  However, in this
instance there is certainly an inner-group that IMO wouldn't have their
actions scrutinised in the way Mez raises. 

It's vital this discussion avoids individual attacks, and also a
flamewar.  It's also important that this discussion is kept in the open,
it's evident that previously there has been discussions out of public,
and on this occasion i believe it should be kept open.

At UDS Prague, there was a very volatile discussion regarding the team -
and i can honestly say this was the only session at the whole summit
where I witnessed people talking in a somewhat aggressive manner towards
each other.  I'm sure i'm not the only one that feels that the current
team is somehow broken.

Kind Regards,
Dave Walker