How did you become involved in HOT?

When the earthquake hit Nepal in April 2015, a friend introduced me to HOT and the Tasking Manager. Cartography and field mapping was part of my studies so I thought I should give it a try. This soon proved to be the perfect way to combine my abilities with my strong motivation to support people suffering from the impact this natural disaster had on their lives. I was impressed by the numerous ways to get involved in HOT, ranging from remote mapping to working groups to getting active in one of the HOT communities all around the world. It was obvious to me that to become part of the HOT world would allow me to do something I have always looked for: offering my knowledge and skills to a humanitarian cause.

Could you tell us about your involvement in HOT, mapping and/or humanitarian response?

As a member of the Communications Working Group I focus on developing a consistent design for HOT to make it a recognizable humanitarian “brand”. This includes the correct use of logo, colors and fonts as well as using visuals and images to highlight HOT activities. I created icons for the website, designed flyers and the Activation Protocol, and created animations for the HOT Training Center. The next task will be the relaunch of hotosm.org and I am really looking forward to this challenge.

In addition to this work my involvement in HOT gave me the possibility to get active in the refugee crisis that currently takes place in Europe and South-Eastern Europe. Although this isn´t a HOT project it would not have been possible without the support and advice of HOT community members. Supported by local OSM mappers from Central Europe, the Balkans and Greece I started a mapping project, we located camps, collected information from UNHCR and volunteer organisations in the field and combined this to a map.The response from NGOs and volunteers was very positive, as a side effect it became a tool for for volunteer and supply management. I am currently transferring all the data to a Sahana database to allow the volunteer groups a better management system. My next challenge is a field mapping project in the Calais refugee camp in collaboration with an independent volunteer group.

What does HOT mean to you?

Most of all I feel very grateful to be a member of the worldwide HOT community. Getting to know so many people from all over the world, hearing about their professional and personal backgound, their plans and hopes enriches my life. For me, HOT is also a possibility to grow on a professional and personal level, exploring new technical tools and get involved in activities that weren´t part of my life before. In this regard I owe HOT a lot, and hopefully I will be able to support HOT in the future as much as it supports me in the present time.

Why do you want to be a voting member?

For me, becoming a voting member is an addititional way to get involved with HOT. It will allow me to see things from multiple perspectives and to get involved in decisions that directly influence HOTs future. I am very aware of the responsibility this membership demands and feel very honoured to be considered a person that has the knowledge and experience to meet these expectations.

As a voting member of HOT, what do you see as your most important responsibility?

My main responsibility as a voting member is to keep the community spririt alive and to make sure HOT is a community people can join regardless of age, origin, gender and prior experience with mapping. To me HOTs vivid and diverse community is very precious and unique. There is such a variety of ways to be involved with HOT, all kinds of knowledge and expertise are needed and all voices have the right to be heard. As a newbie, I was welcomed warmly by the HOT community and would like everybody to have the same experience in the future.

How do you plan to be involved in HOT as a voting member?

In addition to my current involvement with HOT as a mapper and a member of the Communications Working Group I will keep my eyes and ears wide open to what happens in the community: which questions arise, which needs are expressed, which discussions take place. I will react and respond to community issues much more and make sure all voices are heard. To me being a voting member means to step away from my individual needs and wishes and look at HOT from a broader perspective.

What do you see as HOTs greatest challenge and how do you plan to help HOT meet that challenge?

I think it´s time for HOT to get the attention and recognition it deserves! To me what makes HOT so special is the combination of community building, technical projects and humanitarian mapping. This has to be highlighted much more. It can be achieved by making public relations more effective, invest in fundraising, build strong partnerships and a professional use of communication channels. But it can only be substantial if there is a strong corporate identity, effective collaboration and respectful communication among all actors involved. I am looking forward to support HOT in this important process with my skills and experience.