Title: Fixed Terms for WordCamp Lead Organizers Author: Andrea Middleton Published: November 19, 2014 Last modified: July 5, 2019 --- [ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 7:08 pm _on_ November 19, 2014   # Fixed Terms for WordCamp Lead Organizers During the coworking days after WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). SF, a group of community volunteers gathered to discuss how to help grow the WordPress community in all corners of the globe. Discussion participants included Siobhan McKeown, Tina Kesova, Xavier Borderie, Marko Heijnen, Sam Sidler, Petya Raykovska, Mario Peshev, Dee Teal, Mayuko Moriyama, Shinichi Nishikawa, Catia Kitahara, Birgit Olzem, Andrew de la Serna, Brandon Dove, and possibly some others that I’ve forgotten— please speak up if you were there too! The group agreed that entrenched leadership is a major barrier to the goal of growing global communities as well as creating more connections to the WordPress project. When only one person organizes community events (meetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/)., WordCamps, or both) for many years, that can discourage other community members from getting more involved, especially if people don’t see a need or opportunity for leadership in the community. Official WordPress meetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). groups allow any member of the meetup to organize an event series within the group, which keeps group leadership dynamic and decentralized, but currently we don’t have any way to promote a similar shared leadership environment in WordCamp organizing. What to do? Fixed terms! The discussion group agreed that a 2 year (contiguous) term limit for WordCamp lead organizers is a good way to prevent or fix stagnation in WordCamp leadership. The idea is that after a lead organizer has organized WordCamp two years in a row, the community will be asked to propose a new person to take the WordCamp lead organizer role. Experienced organizers would be welcome to participate in the WordCamp organizing team if they wished; they could also take a well-deserved break or become event mentorsEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues./deputiesProgram Supporter Community Program Supporters (formerly Deputies) are a team of people worldwide who review WordCamp and Meetup applications, interview lead organizers, and keep things moving at WordCamp Central. Find more about program supporters in our [Program Supporter Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/community-deputy/). and share their wisdom and experience with organizers in other communities. Former lead organizers could take the lead role after a year off, but we wouldn’t want to see two people trading off the lead organizer role more than once or twice without seeing some new faces too. Now you might be asking yourself: why not just wait for experienced WordCamp organizers excuse themselves when they’re ready to take a break, if ever? Why make an arbitrary limit on how many WordCamps these really experienced people can organize in a row? It’s tricky, because we love our successful event organizers, and we want them to keep helping us lead the community. However, being a community leader entails more than just organizing an event. A good leader inspires and supports the next generation, stepping aside to let other people take the reins and mentoring those people to become good leaders themselves. Over time, the pool of people who can take leadership positions grows and strengthens the WordPress project overall. Having a term limit on WordCamp organizing builds this expectation into the WordCamp lead organizer role. By the second year that you lead a WordCamp, you should have identified potential leaders and be mentoring them during that WordCamp to take on the leadership role in the following year. Many WordPress communities have successfully passed the WordCamp lead organizer role from person to person, including Tokyo, LA, San Diego, Portland, Kansas City, St. Louis, Sao Paulo, Salt Lake City, Vancouver, Toronto, Seattle, and Nashville, so we know it can be done. If you have an opinion about this proposal, please comment in a reply on this post. Input on how to keep WordPress communities open and welcoming is just about my favorite thing, ever. ### Share this: * [ Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2014/11/19/fixed-terms-for-wordcamp-lead-organizers/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2014/11/19/fixed-terms-for-wordcamp-lead-organizers/?share=mastodon) * [ Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2014/11/19/fixed-terms-for-wordcamp-lead-organizers/?share=bluesky) * [ Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2014/11/19/fixed-terms-for-wordcamp-lead-organizers/?share=facebook) * [ X ](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2014/11/19/fixed-terms-for-wordcamp-lead-organizers/?share=x) * [ LinkedIn ](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2014/11/19/fixed-terms-for-wordcamp-lead-organizers/?share=linkedin) * [Login to Reply](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fcommunity%2F2014%2F11%2F19%2Ffixed-terms-for-wordcamp-lead-organizers%2F%23respond&locale=en_US) 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/479f05d4acc73915a43b24a1ee3f30477d4ee19bbec6a5a79906d396f2b2d2ad? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 2. [Samuel Sidler](https://profiles.wordpress.org/samuelsidler/) 7:12 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 3. I think this is a great idea and was happy to see a peaceful transition in Seattle this year. We should think through some details, like how to transition current entrenched organizers. Perhaps give them one more year before handing over the reigns? Something to consider. 4. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b98cc60e2f12d4573ab0dca7442b45137144bac0ffb28dac83fe6a72bd6ba007? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [chanthaboune](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/) 7:16 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * I agree that transition can be tough. I think a lot of our success has been that we have used collaboration tools throughout our planning (and left everything there afterward), but also that most of the time the previous organizers have been sort of re-introduced into the MeetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally- organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis( commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). planning team. That way they are still there and engaged if questions come up, but not so pivotal as they were before. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/57f1b845738ece929f0d32388334bc1870d3160f84482a059394653c3cf2f964? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Jeff](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffreyzinn/) 4:53 pm _on_ November 20, 2014 - I second this. For a transition to be successful, it is crucial that excellent and well organized documentation be passed on. Receipts, phone numbers, emails, invoices, access to accounts (email, social media, etc.), and so on. If possible an organizing group should always be trying to rotate up and out. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 7:17 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * Yes, I think it would be totally appropriate to ask repeat organizers who’ve been lead for more than 2 years in a row to have 2015 be the last year they lead (for at least a year or so), and ask them to prioritize mentoring new leaders in their community during the 2015 planning cycle so there can be a new lead organizer for 2016. 5. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7b21aae922d322c886765765d74a4181eb71106e6cb2377cd38c13bded206392? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 6. [Leo Baiano](https://profiles.wordpress.org/leobaiano/) 7:17 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 7. After 2 years of leadership does not appear anyone willing to take the responsibility of organizing the WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). remains the leader? It seems obvious that yes, after all it would not be cool to be a year without event because nobody took the post, but was wondering if you thought this case. 8. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 7:23 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * The group discussed that issue, and while we really want transitions to be smooth and have WordCamps keep being organized with no interruption, it’s realistic to assume that won’t happen every time. In observing leadership transitions in multiple WordPress communities, sometimes it takes a year without a WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). to motivate the rest of the community to step up and get more active. In the short run, that can be disappointing, but in the long run, I think it’s better for the local community and the project as a whole for us to make space — even if it’s a really big, gaping, ugly space — for new leaders. * If a local community truly only has one person who is willing to organize WordCamp, ever, then there’s either a deeper problem with the community or a problem with WordCamp organizing — either way that should be addressed. 🙂 9. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/390a731662a4ef44d7edcff8db1fac932d59d7ce2e7cc6bf62fa3df64da455e1? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 10. [MailPoet Staff](https://profiles.wordpress.org/wysija/) 7:26 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 11. The weird thing here, is that those kind of discussions weren’t held in the Summit day. Instead, they have been discussed on the other days. That’s the second time an important discussion have been made in these days (the other one being the translation/rosetta leads). This kind of topic should be properly announced beforehand, so that anyone interested could chime in. 12. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4b84726cd68dd569b3e481784a27d7e1951b45d281738e636516475a1a300e1c? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Rafael Ehlers](https://profiles.wordpress.org/rafaehlers/) 7:28 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * Damn, forgot what user was logged in 😛 * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4b84726cd68dd569b3e481784a27d7e1951b45d281738e636516475a1a300e1c? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Rafael Ehlers](https://profiles.wordpress.org/rafaehlers/) 7:31 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * Btw I totally agree with the idea, just was a bit uncomfortable with the way it was discussed. There are people there that doesn’t represent all WP communities. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 7:33 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * The summit day had limited time available, so it would have been impossible to discuss every topic important to the WordPress project that day. The suggestion of term limits was one that came up in a larger discussion, rather to my surprise, and the group was made up of active community team members which I think is pretty representational. * That said, this is why we’re posting on the community team site, so everyone can comment and we can have a wider-reaching discussion. 🙂 The intention here is to give the people who were not in that room a chance to voice their opinions and suggestions, so no one is left out. 13. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0fcb1f7d008dcd10f8c446b09dc7cd4612a7f1d21f8cedebac4852c105c28932? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 14. [Chris Daley](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chris-daley/) 7:27 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 15. I love this idea! In trying to reboot the Charlotte community one of the things I want to focus on is trying to create a mindset where the community as a whole‘ owns’ both the meetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/)./ WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). and the organizers are simply stewards for the events. A time limit in the lead role helps this along greatly. I know that’s how Dre and I both viewed WordCamp San Diego. 16. This policy is a wonderful tool to help with this and I am wondering if it could be applied to meetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). as well. Taking it a step further, I wonder if there is a way to clearing house of sorts for the various domains and handles that are associated with the events. 17. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 7:36 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * I don’t want to get too far off topic, but if you look at the [5 good-faith rules for official WordPress meetups](https://make.wordpress.org/community/meetups/), we specify that “MeetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). groups allow events to be organized by any reliable/trusted member of the community.” There’s a setting on meetup.com for that, I think. 🙂 - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0fcb1f7d008dcd10f8c446b09dc7cd4612a7f1d21f8cedebac4852c105c28932? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Chris Daley](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chris-daley/) 7:58 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 - Awesome. 🙂 New to the meetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). scene. 18. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b3570426dc554b821b457cc8807eea58efd745bc3b8f8a8c6a80a2641add6608? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 19. [vc27](https://profiles.wordpress.org/vc27/) 7:28 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 20. I love being a catalyst and that usually turns into being an organizer. However, new leaders bring new ideas, and new ways to inspire other. 21. I like this! 100% on board! Yes there may be few cities with out a WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). from year to year, but I believe it will be good in the long run. 22. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/873376107c21d7d985dbb1ffb33bd78dfea7c654d3bf80879cd71452e59f4d1f? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 23. [Dustin Filippini](https://profiles.wordpress.org/dustyf/) 7:37 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 24. Great idea to get more people involved and fresh ideas into local WordCamps. It can help the community grow sharing the leads on projects like this. I am looking forward to passing the torch in Milwaukee and helping the future WordCamps get organized from a different role. 25. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc3ca2ce53deee2eed5d1525e8537096fd49dc9cf128c0c7b05ca8351ee7bbbf? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 26. [Alexander Gounder](https://profiles.wordpress.org/gounder/) 7:39 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 27. We discussed exactly this in one of our last meetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). where we wanted to prepare others in organizing WC Mumbai, so that WordCamps keep happening in Mumbai and doesn’t stop because of us having other priorities in life. But will take it up again because this will be year 2 for us… 28. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2bb28470352c969615480bad9545226701104d2ca26a6f2015261d4b4866c5d4? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 29. [Guga Alves](https://profiles.wordpress.org/gugaalves/) 7:48 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 30. I think it might be a good idea, but can also kill some WordCamps. At least here in Brazil, I see some WordCamps only happen at the initiative of one person motivating the group, if this person do not involve everybody else, the event does not happen. We have serious difficulties to get places and sponsors here in Brazil, we have a market with completely different behavior, so sometimes the spokesperson of the event is the person who most have good relationships with the market and educational institutions. 31. I think the most important is to have a united group of people, imbued with the spirit of organizing the event on behalf of a community, not caring so much about with names of positions, but all sharing the responsibility and work, and making the event happen. I would also like one of the organizers of the WordCamps Brazil had been heard in this discussion, since we are a growing number of events here and this has generated a very good synergy between local communities and organizers of WordCamps in each city. 32. We have a very different scenario from most WordCamps that have followed, either in person or by testimony from friends who were at WordCamps outside my country( what i want to start doing in 2015). 33. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 8:05 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * > I would also like one of the organizers of the WordCamps Brazil had been > heard in this discussion * Catia Kitahara was in the discussion, and she is an experienced Brazilian WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). organizer — Sao Paulo in 2012, off the top of my head. 🙂 * > At least here in Brazil, I see some WordCamps only happen at the initiative > of one person motivating the group * That makes me wonder about how the local WordPress meetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). group is doing, if only one person in the whole community can motivate the group. It also tells me that the event is then possibly not reflective of the local community, but instead mostly a one-person show, which is not what we want for WordCamps in the first place. If there is only one person willing to work on organizing a community event, then either the event is too difficult/ intimidating to organize or the community doesn’t really want the event. 🙂 - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2bb28470352c969615480bad9545226701104d2ca26a6f2015261d4b4866c5d4? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Guga Alves](https://profiles.wordpress.org/gugaalves/) 8:24 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 - I disagree Andrea, - I said motivating, not being the owner of the event. Here in Rio, the meetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to- face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). are organized by the community, at least eight people had participated in the organization of past 3 meetups here. Leadership isn’t doing more and win the laurels alone, is making things happen without worrying about it. - We had over 15 people working voluntarily in organizing the WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). RJ and hopefully these new volunteers increasingly involved in the organization of future meetups and WordCamps, but someone has to do the role to motivate and lead the group forward. At least here, not everyone has the time available to give up their work and organize an event, companies here do not release employees to decide what you need in working hours, do not participate, poorly motivated employees to go, and the majority is employed here, no entrepreneur who makes his own agenda. Few have the freedom to be able to do an event, many of them only know get behind the computer working, have a sense of much smaller community here, which discourages those who do not have such a thought, but rather complicates things. Especially when a WordCamp is approved only shortly before the desired date. - i don’t care if I’m not going to be organizing the WordCamp here, because the event was organized by a group of people, not just for me because it is not so simple to make the event alone, but it demand much time devoted to it and the work is not always possible, but I fear for anyone in any year simply apply for organizing event. - Always when someone ask “When we will have the next meetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/).?” we answer “when you want it to be, you can make it happen too, the event is not mine, is ours”, but unfortunately most crosses arms and waits for the other to work. This is our reality. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 8:49 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * > Always when someone ask “When we will have the next meetupMeetup Meetup > groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to- > face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more > about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/).?” > we answer “when you want it to be, you can make it happen too, the > event is not mine, is ours”, but unfortunately most crosses arms and > waits for the other to work. This is our reality. * It’s really frustrating when this happens, and I hear this complaint from organizers all over the world. It can be a struggle to motivate people to take an active role in the community for sure. On one hand, you want to have lots of stuff happening so more people get involved. On the other hand, you want more people to get involved organizing so the group is open and you’re not doing everything because hopefully you also have a life outside of WordPress community organizing. 🙂 With over 15 people on an organizing team, I think you’re probably in good shape for passing the lead role every two years, aren’t you? 🙂 * > We had over 15 people working voluntarily in organizing the WordCampWordCamp > WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything > related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress > community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned > throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). > RJ and hopefully these new volunteers increasingly involved in the > organization of future meetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized > groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis( > commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). > and WordCamps, but someone has to do the role to motivate and lead > the group forward * I totally agree the lead organizer should lead and motivate. Hopefully the events we’re all organizing are not so elaborate or complex that someone with a full-time job can’t take part as an organizer. If being a WordCamp lead organizer is so much work that only one or two people in the community could do it, then I would love to talk over ways to make the event easier to organize. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2bb28470352c969615480bad9545226701104d2ca26a6f2015261d4b4866c5d4? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Guga Alves](https://profiles.wordpress.org/gugaalves/) 9:15 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 - But I must say I agree with the transition. I was just worried about the continuity of events. Here, some people waits others to do everything, but we don’t want to own nothing. It has to be collaborative, everybody owns the events, the community is the owner of this and have to spread and bring more people to help. It’s a cycle, we have do make new leaders appears, it is essential to every collaborative community. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/47cd7962239f71e643b9b00f5eae21c1a4a33793fe2206946dbbabdc34ee93d7? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Valerio Souza](https://profiles.wordpress.org/valeriosza/) 10:38 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * I agree with [@guga](https://profiles.wordpress.org/guga/). Unfortunately here in Belo Horizonte not have an active and community helpers. But if one does not take the initiative to do MeetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). for example, they never happen. In other words, I believe that if this really happens, Belo Horizonte die again of the schedule of WordCamps. 🙁 - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 11:11 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 - Part of WordPress community organizing is spreading the culture of open sourceOpen Source Open Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL., and part of open source culture is that everyone participates and collaborates. In the case of a community in which very few members want to collaborate or participate in organizing community events, then the collaborative aspect of the WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). itself is also in danger. - In that case, I would ask the community leadership to take all the time they would have spent on WordCamp organizing this year and spend it on community development instead, recruiting more people to get involved in the local community as active participants rather than passive spectators. Organizing a WordCamp should be the *result* of having an active local community, not the alternative. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e1ebdc8c85b7d6484f5ad4984c6dc2a20f329e5bcb41b7da78ad70612072b80f? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - Anonymous User 6:52 am _on_ November 20, 2014 - Why not take the initiative as a tool of motivation then to build a vivid meetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). community? I have no idea, obviously, what community looks like in Belo Horizonte and why nobody would seem likely to try organizing, but maybe it makes sense to see it as something that can be worked on together? It’s certainly not like the whole point of this initiative was to bring down local WordCamps. 😉 It’s to strengthen them by avoiding dependencies to single individuals. I’m sure [@andreamiddleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) will be able to work something out with you guys that’ll work for you. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/47cd7962239f71e643b9b00f5eae21c1a4a33793fe2206946dbbabdc34ee93d7? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Valerio Souza](https://profiles.wordpress.org/valeriosza/) 1:51 pm _on_ November 20, 2014 - But people involved. We had a record audience at WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). and MeetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/).. But no one takes the initiative to make it happen. They do not want this responsibility, they just want to participate. 34. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/846d7a5465e8a3dbc89b56b75d63e8285504db5a889cb764c3bb6e351bbf9deb? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 35. [Kirk Wight](https://profiles.wordpress.org/kwight/) 7:59 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 36. Many (most?) WordCamps are organized by a small team working together. Does the above limit apply to just the “lead” (meaning teams could rotate the lead position while transitioning), or are co-organizers expected to step down after a couple of years too? Do we want to see a complete turnover of teams every two years? 37. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e9558a8cbad6b443a09c0ae7236166e3e81b2d1bf346d0f18a5104164d306c60? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Kasia](https://profiles.wordpress.org/bastetmilo/) 8:04 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * Although idea of changing leader is great, I have the same question as Kirk. Does that mean that after two years there should be whole new team? I’m “ stepping down” form organizing WordCamps in Poland after two years, but now leader will be one of my co-organizers, so it would be great if that is not a problem. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 8:11 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * The group was not suggesting that experienced organizers should leave the WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). organizing team, just that the lead organizer should change every couple of years. * Many communities have a group of active leaders, with many or most of those pitching in on WordCamp. What I hope is that making a space in the lead position every two years (or every year — lots of communities change yearly) will help keep a door open for new people to join that group of active leaders. Looking for complete turnover in the organizing team would be pretty challenging, and I think WordCamps benefit from having lots of ex-leads on the organizing team. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4be4f2e3a0138526574f88734843650411dd62196b51390e1b0e56445d3e03d1? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Flynn O'Connor](https://profiles.wordpress.org/thoronas/) 8:14 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 - That’s kind of what is happening in Vancouver. We had Joey leading the organization last year, I took on lead this year and we may have a new lead next year. We’re all part of the same team involved in the last 2 years, just different roles for each person each year. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/178b52632c91b8afdb0c9d567442b27f6f8751d9211383505581a60921ee31ac? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Brent Kobayashi](https://profiles.wordpress.org/brent-kobayashi/) 10: 58 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 - This is how it’s worked out in Toronto and it’s great. - We’ve rotated in lead organizer every 1-2 years (from the previous year co-organizers for continuity), pulled in additional co-organizers who will lead future generations. - In my experience, rotating in co-orgs (and lead orgs) of a big event is a great way to boost organizing involvement in the month-by-month meetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to- face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/).. Ultimately the goal of this policy/guideline :). 38. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/20516b73bfc7d2402ce03a0dd4590b9bc435149056a1e5f515977d24dc34b585? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 39. [dohman](https://profiles.wordpress.org/dohman/) 8:13 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 40. i’m moving into the lead now for wc mpls in 2015 after kiko was lead for two years. we discussed our lead changing each year, and i think that can be good also, as long as someone who has helped previous years can step in. i think a dynamic coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. group and lead will be good in the long term. 41. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/78e12b0e0fd945bd7d661af2b0ca95c1509d09a7a1f528ded21bbd604192c662? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 42. [Siobhan](https://profiles.wordpress.org/siobhan/) 8:15 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 43. I support this proposal 100%. Part of organising a WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). should be bringing on new leaders for the future. Also, I don’t want to lead the organisation WordCamp London for more than two years so this gives me an awesome get-out! 44. I’d love to see people who have organised WordCamps for a long time to take their experience and feed their knowledge back into the community. There’s so much knowledge out there and it would be fantastic to see better tools, mentorship, and documentation. 45. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/806814895466fbffe3a788a45451b3afa695570f8c2a6f6913db6aa5e2cb3178? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 46. [Mikel King](https://profiles.wordpress.org/vizkr/) 8:17 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 47. Definitely a great way to curb stagnation and foster community growth and involvement. Will there be an provision for waivers should there ever be a situation where no one new form the community steps forward to lead? 48. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 8:31 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * If a lot of people think the world will end if we have some “fallow years” in a few communities after 2015, then I could see making exception on a case- by-case basis, but I think if we use 2015 as a “training year” for new organizers, we could make these transitions really smoothly. * When you have an established local organizer who does a great job, there’s very little motivation for other community members to step up and get involved— especially if they’re afraid their expression of interest could come off as a criticism. If we make term limits a policy, we are creating a clear path to leadership in local communities, which hopefully will help flush out new potential leaders. * In the end though, I think having one year without WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). is less of a bummer than having one person who is so pivotal to the local community that if s/he leaves( or starts a business/has a baby/gets sick), the community dissolves. If WordCamp organizer term limits puts us on the road to every WordPress community being decentralized and open, then I personally think a “bye year” for WordCamp here and there is worth it. 49. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4766888911f84ffe981190a286670a07caf5eb144b0c3e26700f25bff33319c3? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 50. [Brandon Dove](https://profiles.wordpress.org/brandondove/) 8:39 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 51. First off, let me say that I 100% support this idea. 52. When I think of an entrenched leader, I think of someone who forcefully takes ownership and pushes others out for personal gain, not someone who is trying to help the community flourish. As it turns out, whether the intention for community health is there or not, long term leadership leaves big shoes to fill. 53. Having been co-organizer of WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). Orange County for the past five years, when this came up in a discussion I was part of, it made me really think about what it would look like if we stepped down from running the camp. What if we got hit by the proverbial bus, got sick, or wanted a break? Who would step up and take over? A good sign of a healthy community is that someone will step up and fill the void. The community should be bigger than any one person. 54. Luckily, when we announced that we were stepping down as lead organizers next year, a new face rose to the challenge. I’m so excited to see what he and his team comes up with, and who he brings on board. It has refilled my excitement for our local camp in a way that I could never have imagined. 55. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 8:46 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * Yeah, the word “entrenched” is probably more negative than we need it to be. 🙂 In most cases, like the case of Orange County, it’s not like anyone’s been trying to keep people out. It’s mostly that people are good at it, fill a need, great events, everyone’s happy, so why fix what ain’t broken? 🙂 Leave Britney WordCamps alone! * On the other hand, watch out for that bus! I’m happy to hear that someone stepped up in OC to keep carrying the torch, because a year without WCOC is like a year without sunshine! I’m also so grateful to put experienced organizers like you and Jeff to work with the broader community, so the whole project gets to benefit from all you’ve learned in five years of excellent WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). organizing. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6845456dbc9056f20a4cd50a6b95db78f2ae31df5c0601c613ee5b8939c41a82? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Jon Brown](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jb510/) 9:34 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * I think Brandon and Jeff should just alternate as “lead” organizers of WCOC forever… * Seriously though. I personally think the policy should be a little flexible and maybe be called: 2+1. ie. 2 in a row is the recommended limit, but a 3rd is possible if no one else steps up as lead. * Also for folks like Brandon and Jeff, probably need to clarify if they’re eligible to lead after taking a hiatus. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 10: 05 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 - I mentioned in the original post that “Former lead organizers could take the lead role after a year off, but we wouldn’t want to see two people trading off the lead organizer role more than once or twice without seeing some new faces too.” 🙂 - I like flexibility, but I also don’t like it. We aim to be responsive to unusual circumstances, but on the other hand, when how many times do you bend a rule before it’s just some idea someone had sometime? - There’s absolutely no intention to penalize successful/experienced organizers here, and having a stable group of local leaders is an asset to a community. That said, sometimes growing that group requires creating a leadership vacuum. - I really like this quote from Lao Tzu (other than the all-male pronouns): - > A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when > people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him….But of a good > leader who talks little when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they > will say, “We did it ourselves.” 56. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e1ebdc8c85b7d6484f5ad4984c6dc2a20f329e5bcb41b7da78ad70612072b80f? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 57. Anonymous User 8:40 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 58. +1 As a WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). organizer you’re probably looking out for new organizers in your community constantly anyhow, so fixed terms will give you just another selling point when trying to recruit. 😉 59. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c25c5eaaea26fdac6c4a75d16e3facd04470a2b20883e59ab10795bde40f70b2? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 60. [Morgan Kay](https://profiles.wordpress.org/gwendydd/) 9:06 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 61. I think this is a great idea. Another advantage to this is that I think it should theoretically encourage organizing committees to keep better records of what they do and how they do it. New leadership every 2 years means less reliance on institutional memory. 62. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4b84726cd68dd569b3e481784a27d7e1951b45d281738e636516475a1a300e1c? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 63. [Rafael Ehlers](https://profiles.wordpress.org/rafaehlers/) 10:18 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 64. BTW who are the people in charge to approve next WordCamps/organizers?! Is there a list or something?! 65. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 10:20 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 * We’re still working on that, but I should have a list ready by December 1. 🙂 66. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c5545907b74e7769b1db330c1bec48f2c94930e99e6f2f51eaff3b3df9ce2d8b? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 67. [Aditya Kane](https://profiles.wordpress.org/adityakane/) 11:42 pm _on_ November 19, 2014 68. Wow this is a great move. I fully support it. 69. I see a couple of issues that might crop out of fixed terms. But there are very obvious solutions I think. 70. 1. I think in the short-term – some sort of documented legacy needs to be set up for handover of the WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). from one organizer to another. Handover should be smooth but I doubt this will happen smoothly in certain cases. 71. This might be a short term issue but with more deputiesProgram Supporter Community Program Supporters (formerly Deputies) are a team of people worldwide who review WordCamp and Meetup applications, interview lead organizers, and keep things moving at WordCamp Central. Find more about program supporters in our [Program Supporter Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/community-deputy/). and more volunteers in the larger WordCamp community, a lot more personalized and continous attention could be given and should help incase the previous organizer was a tad ‘disorganized’ 😛 72. 2. The other issue is to keep previous lead organizers interested in the WordPress community. Yes, they might not be lead organizers anymore but open-source communities need good people leading it for more than just a couple of years. This is especially true in newer communities. 73. I think communities should encourage older lead WordCamp organizers to go ahead and work more in strengthening the local community – maybe unearth some cool speakers from local community. 74. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a0d09f4c225fa21e2ce02f66d4a38f8d4f80e5010bf9da259fb92efdd6159c46? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 75. [Junko Nukaga](https://profiles.wordpress.org/nukaga/) 1:30 am _on_ November 20, 2014 76. I think a very good idea. I am a lead organizer of WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). Kansai 2014. In Japan, there is WordCamp Tokyo, there continues while alternating the reader. “Kansai” is a composite of Kyoto Kobe Osaka (Shiga Wakayama), was held by leveraging the knowledge of WordCamp in each region. There are plans to carry out in the Kansai also next year. At that time I will change the leader. I can help the leader. WordCamp is also responsible for fostering a community leader. By the promise the change and continuity, WordPress community in the region will grow larger. However, I think that there is an area which the talent is not necessarily. In that case, what will you do to? It may be tough and lead to the rule. 77. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1dba75a903be8eb13bae6f961d81a99e5c76d5ca8c327a18bc25e96df2417b99? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 78. [Hugh Lashbrooke](https://profiles.wordpress.org/hlashbrooke/) 7:01 am _on_ November 20, 2014 79. Definite +1 for this from my side. I’ve identified a couple of guys who could already take on the lead organiser role in Cape Town, so keen to start transitioning to some new people down here. We’ve got some new and exciting plans for WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). and the community for 2015, so it would be great to have a Skype chat some time and talk through it all with you [@andreamiddleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/). 80. On a related note – we want to get our meetup.com group started so that more people can start organising meetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). more effectively, but I’ve sent in 2 applications to you guys for it and heard no response yet – if you could get back to me on that then we can start getting things more open down here in Cape Town in terms of meetups 🙂 81. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dad360d6d33cc359ccc77beb0de91ea2ac1c3ccaf28550b1e2727d5f6127ad00? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 82. [Petya](https://profiles.wordpress.org/petya/) 10:09 am _on_ November 20, 2014 83. I love this idea. 84. People’s concerns about no one from the local community stepping up are understandable. Although leaders of the local communities should be able to recognise and encourage a potential next leads. 85. The easiest way to do it – look for them among your volunteers. They already are a part of the team, they already stepped up. Perhaps they’ll need help. That’s why we’re there, right? The trick is to get them inspired. Make epic events and people will want to be a part of them. 86. It’s what happened to me and what turned me from a volunteer to organiser – both in Sofia and for WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). Europe. 87. In Sofia we already have people who we have asked to become more involved. We’ll invite them to be a part of the team for WordCamp Sofia 2015 and this is the first step to them becoming the next lead organisers. 88. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6a4ad2dfc0d1259f1be5804e002f41d21f87c4e06d9bcd0eec1327489983d620? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 89. [Wil](https://profiles.wordpress.org/limecanvas/) 11:03 am _on_ November 20, 2014 90. I think this is a great idea and will really help re engage the WordCamps and bring some new ideas to it as well as giving others some great event organising experience . 91. As for not having a WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). every year, I don’t really think this is an issue. 92. We had a year and a half break in Sydney since the previous one and I think the time allowed for new tech, features, ideas and concepts to be developed into some great presentations, rather than doing “a similar thing” year after year. 93. Plus people were hungry to attend. 94. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2349fe153237a398b058cefe15910aff3acea2c67da2f8bb6ee587a3cdb31347? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 95. [Xavier Borderie](https://profiles.wordpress.org/xibe/) 2:36 pm _on_ November 20, 2014 96. We are more or less in the process of doing just that for WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). Paris 2015. 97. I’ve been the lead organizer since the first barcamp in 2008, and have also led all conference-style WordCamps since 2011, with two other co-organizers from WPFR. Since WCParis 2014 and also WCEU14, we have a seen a really surge in interest in the event and the community, chiefly among our speakers but also participants, many of whom have taken upon themselves to create a local events (see: tentative WordCamps in Nantes & Lyon, the Paris/IdF region monthly meetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/)., podcast shows, etc.). 98. Thanks to that, the WCParis staff has grown from 3 members to 13, most of which were speakers from last year. One of them is co-leader with me, and I am thus this year both a co-leader and a mentorEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. of sort for the 2015 team (most of them having never organized an event before, and just wanted to participate more). It’s going well so far, as far as I can tell (had to be less present until now due to the organization of the Paris Web, work travels and the Summit). 99. Anyway, enough about me. We’ll have great team for the 2015 WCParis, and hopefully most of them will keep contributing to the event, or even start doing local events in their hometowns 🙂 100. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f8ae629de05ed8729124b26d77905a81327b63b3bd8ef691f01972ce84078759? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 101. [diegorojas](https://profiles.wordpress.org/diegorojas/) 4:57 pm _on_ November 20, 2014 102. This is a good and promising news. We here at São Paulo community, even though the context, are doing this from the beginning, and in the process, I believe that we strengthen the local community, and not otherwise. 103. Even with the reality of Brazil being difficult, I do not think is so special, we are an under developed country with an under-developed culture of entrepreneurship and would be no different on open sourceOpen Source Open Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL. communities. There are other similar contexts around the world. 104. If there are difficulties in a new local community organizers to arise, this community needs to revise and re evaluate their efforts to change that reality. I fully agree that a city be a year without WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/)., it will be motivating for other leaders appear. In the long run it will be beneficial for sure. 105. Here in Brazil we need to better educate people who are approaching the WordPress on the responsibilities that must exist with the community and its events. We have to find locally, or even nationally, how to expande the knowledge and attitude of people on free culture and open source culture. 106. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/57f1b845738ece929f0d32388334bc1870d3160f84482a059394653c3cf2f964? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 107. [Jeff](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffreyzinn/) 5:07 pm _on_ November 20, 2014 108. I definitely agree with this as a policy, but question if it should be a rule. It seems like there will need to be exceptions. 109. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5c3f2d93d1a7622578bf02f19b91bce32e642cf2962e04ab559fbc0ae333359? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Andrea Middleton](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreamiddleton/) 5:11 pm _on_ November 20, 2014 * Interesting — do you have any examples in mind for times that we’d want to make exceptions? - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/57f1b845738ece929f0d32388334bc1870d3160f84482a059394653c3cf2f964? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Jeff](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffreyzinn/) 5:18 pm _on_ November 20, 2014 - Of course not! This is more my gut reaction to the idea. I think my worry is that if this is a hard rule, but one time an exception needs to be made it sets a bad precedent. But if this a policy that is strongly encouraged, when the exception needs to be made, it can be. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f8ae629de05ed8729124b26d77905a81327b63b3bd8ef691f01972ce84078759? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [diegorojas](https://profiles.wordpress.org/diegorojas/) 5:24 pm _on_ November 20, 2014 * I understood that this would be a policy and not a rule. Andrea, could you make it clearer? - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/92f845d36a0ecc3fc615d597a956e0b67ef00c79d2972f14ea00b9a4739aaff6? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Pamela Wood Browne](https://profiles.wordpress.org/pwbrowne/) 12:17 am _on_ November 21, 2014 - Maybe “Best Practices” is a good way to handle it. Whether or not Best Practices are followed can be part of what is considered in whether or not meetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis( commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). and WordCamps are eligible for funding. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f8ae629de05ed8729124b26d77905a81327b63b3bd8ef691f01972ce84078759? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [diegorojas](https://profiles.wordpress.org/diegorojas/) 10:30 am _on_ November 21, 2014 - Tks Pamela. I Will use as best practices 🙂 - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/92f845d36a0ecc3fc615d597a956e0b67ef00c79d2972f14ea00b9a4739aaff6? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Pamela Wood Browne](https://profiles.wordpress.org/pwbrowne/) 3:58 pm _on_ November 21, 2014 - No sure if my reply about policy vs. rule landed in the right spot. I was wondering if the term limits could be part of “Best Practices” that should be followed and would be one element used in evaluating meetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/)./ WordCamps allowing some flexibility. 110. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/92f845d36a0ecc3fc615d597a956e0b67ef00c79d2972f14ea00b9a4739aaff6? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 111. [Pamela Wood Browne](https://profiles.wordpress.org/pwbrowne/) 12:13 am _on_ November 21, 2014 112. I think limited terms is a good practice and I’ve run into the problem that develops without them in other volunteer organizations. I wonder though if it will be difficult to get people to commit in advance to being the organizer for the following year. 113. Would it work to have the lead organizer shift into an advisory role in the 3rd year to make it easier for someone to commit to being a first time organizer that year? Hopefully the new lead would have been involved in some way the previous year. 114. (Although we’re talking about organizing our first WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). and we’ll all be brand new! It would be great to get mentored by the organizers of a nearby WordCamp – wishing I’d signed up as a volunteer for one this year!) 115. Pingback: [WordPressコミュニティチームではこんなことが起こっている！ | まよねーずブログ](http://blog.mayuko.me/community-team-mtg-summary/) 116. Pingback: [2015 WordCamp kickoff meeting Monday Jan 12th 2015 from 7pm 8pm - Nashville WordPress Community](http://wpnashville.com/community/2014/12/17/2015-wordcamp-kickoff-meeting-monday-jan-12th-2015-from-7pm-8pm/) 117. Pingback: [WordCamp Meeting: 01-12-15: Agenda - Nashville WordPress Community](http://wpnashville.com/community/2014/12/31/wordcamp-meeting-01-12-15-agenda/) 118. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a3d65dbb7c58b7892c698cf0dc222f33f6cd231c13196f29a067dedd4d7e529c? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 119. [Bernhard Kau](https://profiles.wordpress.org/kau-boy/) 5:47 pm _on_ January 14, 2015 120. I somehow missed this post but I totally agree with this great idea. Having taking the lead of the major German WordPress event in Berlin with a great team in 2012 and 2013, we were happy to hand over to a great team in Hamburg. This year we will have the WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). in Cologne. So for Germany we already have a quite easy rotation in lead as the event will usually not be in the same city every year (2013 was an exception). 121. Being the lead for the WordPress MeetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our [Meetup Organizer Handbook](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/). Berlin for over a year now (talking it over from a single lead who did it only for one year), I would really like to hand the lead over to someone else. Not because I want to take a break of the meetup or the community, but because I want to encourage our local community to take more responsobility as a whole for the meetup. It’s usually me driving things, like when and where to meet, starting polls about the next meetup’s topic, organizing the next workshop (which doesn’t have a fixed recurring date as the meetup). 122. But I can also understand that handing over the lead for a city-specific WordCamp with a rather small active community might be more complicated, as it will probably be with a local meetup community. Maybe I should just try to see how it works, by telling my community to hand over at the end of the year 🙂 123. P.S. And I totally agree with Pamela, that a lead should not step out completely, but be there as an advisor for the current leads. This is what we have done when the Hamburg team was planning there WordCamp and this year, the Hamburg team is giving advice to the Cologne team. 124. Pingback: [WordCamp を作る: チームについて from London | まよねーずブログ](http://blog.mayuko.me/the-making-of-a-wordcamp-the-team-wordcamp-london/) 125. Pingback: [I translated the article from WordCamp London | まよねーずブログ](http://blog.mayuko.me/en/i-translated-the-article-from-wordcamp-london/) 126. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ab92096567b15de41478c7bde082a1b0ae4c5114b06e79ce8e909d9831f3748d? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 127. [Kharis Sulistiyono](https://profiles.wordpress.org/kharisblank/) 11:21 pm _on_ November 1, 2022 128. I support this idea 100%. Each community member will have equal opportunity to become future WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/). leader. But each person may have different level of capacity. That said I am wondering whether this fixed term could affect the WordCamp format or guideline in the future to help everyone easier to organize the WC event? ### Leave a Reply 󠀁[Cancel reply](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2014/11/19/fixed-terms-for-wordcamp-lead-organizers/?output_format=md#respond)󠁿 You must be [logged in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fcommunity%2F2014%2F11%2F19%2Ffixed-terms-for-wordcamp-lead-organizers%2F&locale=en_US) to post a comment. # Post navigation [← I’ve removed the Returning Organizer Application from http…](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2014/11/18/ive-removed-the-returning-organizer-application-from-http/) [Team Chat Agenda Feedback on the WC orgs… →](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2014/11/20/team-chat-agenda-feedback-on-the-wc-orgs/)