Note to the reader: Facebook reminded me that I had a memory earlier last week from four years ago, 6/22/20. A friend shared a note I wrote to the community on leaving ESIP, which at that point was imminently happening on September 30, 2020. ESIP has since updated it’s website and the posts is no longer available on their site, so I’m adding it here to preserve this moment in time. The full mailchimp newsletter is here (working as of 6/24/24). Most of the links below still work, but we all know that as content ages, the links break. Mostly, what this makes me think about is owning and preserving content. This writing is something I want to persist. Perhaps more on that soon.
Dear ESIP,
This past week ESIP participated in the 1-day EarthCube Annual Meeting. It was great. They kept things simple with three sessions: (1) Plenary update, (2) Notebook panel moderated by Dan Katz, University of Illinois and (3) a Poster panel moderated by Bonnie Hurwitz, University of Arizona. In addition to the live content, we created a video looking back on our Data Help Desk work over the last year.
A key component of ESIP’s engagement with the EarthCube office is to build bridges between ESIP & EarthCube. One way we are doing that is through ESIP Meeting registration scholarships to EarthCube members. Not yet an EarthCube member? Join the EarthCube newsletter/member list here. We will start reviewing applications on 6/30 and keep open with rolling acceptance until ESIP reg closes.
Professional personal note from me: As you all know and was announced at the January Meeting and in my letter in the FY2019 Annual Report, I will be leaving ESIP at the end of our fiscal year on September 30, 2020. I have been receiving two questions regularly and wanted to share answers here with you.
1. Why are you leaving ESIP?
I am at the end of my second 3-year contract as ESIP’s Executive Director (ED) and before that I served four years as ESIP’s Information and Virtual Community Director. When I signed the second ED contract in October 2017, I had done some reflection and felt that it would likely be my last term. There is no drama here. ESIP needs new skills & energy from its leader and I need to explore what is out there beyond ESIP.
At the start of that contract in October 2017, I let the 2017 Board know it would be my last contract. Collectively, the Board, the staff and I have prepared for this transition over the last three years and I am so grateful for the support of all Board members who have served from 2017-present and the ESIP staff. We are dedicated to a smooth and productive transition.
ESIP is in great shape. I set several goals for this three-year contract:
(1) Continuing to professionalize ESIP as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, including building a reserve fund to ensure ESIP’s long-term sustainability
(2) Expanding our funding from NASA, NOAA & USGS and
(3) Developing the ESIP team to support the ESIP community, including developing the ESIP Lab with Annie Burgess and bringing on a great Community Director, Megan Carter.
I met these goals. The fact that I made this decision to leave three years ago has allowed me to lead boldly because the clock has been ticking. I have championed data management professionals by building the partnership with AGU, expanded international participation with the founding of the Earth and Environmental Science Information Partners (E2SIP) in Australia and most recently, I led our pivot in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic to virtual conferences and I am so excited for you all to participate in the ESIP Summer Virtual Meeting and see those results.
2. What are you going to do next?
You may not know that I have worked with ESIP since I was in graduate school, starting in July 2007. When I signed the 2nd contract, I knew I wanted to explore new adventures. I don’t know what’s next. I am not actively searching and I am keeping options open right now. I do know that I would like to champion Open Science, in the Earth science community and beyond, and continue to build communities and mentor community leaders. I am sad I won’t see you all at the meeting this Summer, but I hope to continue to cross-paths with many of you. I am planning to take some time off starting in October, as a sabbatical and I will be available to the new Executive Director, as needed, to ensure a smooth transition.
So long story, short – ESIP, organizationally, and I, personally, are both in great shape. There is no drama, it was just time for change. I love the ESIP team and community and am excited to see how ESIP and I thrive in our next chapters. You are part of that next chapter for ESIP. ESIP is everyone who contributes, as session convener, Community Fellow, Lab incubator project PI, cluster call attendee, FUNding Friday idea generator, meeting attendee or ESIP newsletter lurker. You make data matter and you make ESIP a powerful and productive community.
I expect you all to keep doing great things!
Next week, Tamara Ledley, ESIP President, will give a status report on the Executive Director search in the Monday Update.
Finally, thank you all for supporting me over so much of my professional life. I am who I am because of the ESIP community.
Erin
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Erin Robinson
ESIP Executive Director