Hey Optimists!
I’d like to open a thread for ideation on facilitating irl interactions for Delegates and Badgholders by supporting their attendance at conferences. I have been fortunate in attending ETHDenver, EthCC, mcon, and DevCon this year; these are generative wellsprings of current- and potential- superchain partners discussing real needs and successes, and imo Optimism proper should be well-represented.
I believe prioritizing high-impact voters, council and accountability contributors in the community, (especially those that have yet to experience hugging an Optimist at Uniday), be given priority should such a program develop. I understand opening any discussion that has budget impact and doesn’t comport with retro-funding (the stipend would have to enable making arrangements, so be given ahead) is likely to draw robust discussion, but I enthusiastically support a program of this type if done responsibly.
If you are a foundation, lab, superchain or beneficiary of OP retro that would like to sponsor attendees, drop in some thoughts on how many and what conferences you’d be inspired to help fill-out with aligned but perhaps undercapitalized contributors; speaking from experience, I will forever hold in my heart those that made it possible for me to experience all of you, in person. Hope to see you ALL in Denver soon!
With Optimism,
– mel.eth