Since we put out the call for more help (and more help with a time commitment, we have had a great response. We’re still responding to people (so if you volunteered but aren’t in this post, don’t worry you’re next!), but would like to start training new folks this week if possible. Here’s where we are at.

Donated by employers:

• Aditya Kane will now be contributing 40 hours a month or about 10 hours per week as part of his regular job with rtCamp.
• Jenny Wong will be contributing 8 hours per week courtesy of Human Made.
• Andy Christian will now be contributing 5 hours per week from Automattic.
• Drew Jaynes will contribute 2 hrs per week. He’s now contributed part-time to community work from 10up, but will be balancing docs and other stuff to start, so the 2 hours is dedicated to this team specifically.

Committing their personal time:

• Birgit Pauli-Haack will contribute 2 hours per week.
• Alexander Gounder will contribute 2 hours per week.
• Rich Robinkoff will contribute 2-4 hours per week.
• Peter Nemcok will contribute 2 hours per week.

The training/ramp-up plan:
1. Get everyone set up in supportpress and as authors on this blog.
2. Screencast a typical supportpress triage, and write up instructions on how to tag things, using predefined replies, etc. Have new volunteers review.
3. Instead of trying to span the entire world in time zones with more group training, pair up each new volunteer with an experienced deputyProgram 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. to have them shadow (via screenshare type hangout) for a bit, then reverse and have the deputy shadow them as they take a stab at supportpress triage.
4. Once comfortable with supportpress triage, follow same process with vetting organizer applications.
5. Once comfortable with vetting, train on additional tasks as appropriate (conducting organizer orientation hangouts, sending WC/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. swag, helping with things like budget reviews, doing site reviews, approving organizers, etc.) depending on interests, greatest area of value, and greatest need.
6. Have the new volunteers (who by now should be fairly seasoned) start training the next crop of volunteers. 🙂

New volunteers listed above: we’ll be setting up your access this week and posting some basic instructions for you to look over, and then one of the current 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. will reach out to set up a time with you to get your training going (Deputies: we’ll go over what to cover before you start with them).

• Drew Jaynes will be trained by Brandon Dove.
• Rich Robinkoff will be trained by Kevin Cristiano.
• Birgit Pauli-Haack will be trained by Andrea Middleton.
• Alexander Gounder will be trained by Aditya Kane.
• Andy Christian will be trained by Jen Mylo.
• Jenny Wong will get a crash course in setting up 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. from Petya at WCEUWCEU WordCamp Europe. The European flagship WordCamp event., and then will be trained by Josepha Haden.
• Peter Nemcok will be trained by Josepha after WCEU as well.

Also: Existing deputies have been supporting WC organizers and applications but not meetups, so Josepha and I will be training them all on getting people into the meetup program as well.

For people who were interested in volunteering (who commented on a recent post to that effect) but couldn’t make one of the two orientations, we’ll be setting up another round in a week or so. We still want you! 🙂 Just need to add people gradually so we don’t overburden the current deputies with training responsibilities. Thanks for your patience. 🙂

#deputies, #community-management, #volunteers