Andrea Middleton 9:02 pm on May 18, 2017
Tags: contributor day ( 30 ), WCEU ( 19 )

Planning for WCEU Contributor Day

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. Europe is hosting a Contributor DayContributor Day Contributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of https://make.wordpress.org/ There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. https://2017.us.wordcamp.org/contributor-day/ https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/. on Thursday, June 15th (info here) — let’s start thinking of projects we can work on while we’re there!

Here are some ideas I had; please don’t take them as settled, because this is just my first brainstorming pass:

I think it might be good to host an in-person 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. orientation as well as (if possible), an in-person 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. training session.

Project ideas for experienced contributors:

work on the grants program
make a list of “active contributors” or whatever we’re calling the folks who might get the new contributor badge

Project ideas for new contributors who are involved in a local meetup group:

community meetup testimonial videos (multi-lingual)
meetup best practices list for: running meetings, finding speakers, etc — essentially in which the best practices list might be created by meetup attendees answering a survey with questions like “what topics interest you,” “what were your favorite 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. last year,” “what meeting times/dates are best for you” — essentially our year-end survey, with some additions?

New contributors who are 100% new to community and have no local WP group:

attend an in-person meetup organizer orientation
compile a list of local diversity in tech groups to help make a resource for local organizers who want to recruit diverse speaker lineups
testing the speaker application pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory https://wordpress.org/plugins/ or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party? maybe?

Like I said, this is totally just a first pass. 🙂 Please please please suggest project/task ideas in the comments below!

#contributor-day #wceu

Andrea Middleton 7:54 pm on May 22, 2017

Some additional details: Looking at the numbers, it looks like we have about 100 people whose first choice will be to help on community team efforts on that day. (wow!) Around 25 say they are completely new to contributing to the project and/or the community team, about 40 identify themselves as experienced contributors, and about 35 have some experience but not a lot.

Are there any community team projects that might particularly benefit from a large quantity of experienced European contributors? 🙂 @00sleepy @hlashbrooke @miss_jwo @emanuelblagonic @francina @savione (and anyone else I missed, please join in)

Here’s that summary of our 2017 team goals, for your reference and convenience: https://make.wordpress.org/community/2017/02/08/summary-community-team-2017-goals/ 🙂
- Francesca Marano 8:54 pm on May 22, 2017
  
  Wow! 100? WOW
  
  I think WCEUWCEU WordCamp Europe. The European flagship WordCamp event. would be perfect for a Vetting Sprint (like a bug scrub only for applications).
  Experienced 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. can advise each other on difficult application and teach new deputies how it’s done.
  There is a lot of sensitive data and some diplomacy is required for vetting and answering so I think this could be done in pairs and maybe have 3-4 couple work in the same room so they can consult without being indescrete.
  
  Another task that could benefit form a large number of partecipants is the review of the handbooks: last year in Vienna the team made good progress and I feel like having a bulk review once a year is a positive thing.
  
  Contributor DayContributor Day Contributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of https://make.wordpress.org/ There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. https://2017.us.wordcamp.org/contributor-day/ https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/. could also be a great time to divide the team in specialised sub-groups that take care of specific tasks and make it formal. CoreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. has a bunch of sub-teams, I think our team is big enough and has enough complexity to be more structured.
  - Andrea Middleton 3:15 pm on May 23, 2017
    
    If we’re facing a backlog of applications, a vetting sprint would absolutely be a great project!
    
    And yes, dividing into several sub-groups is exactly what I had in mind. 2-3 groups of experienced contributors, working on ongoing/long-range projects, and then 2-3 groups of newer contributors working on “introduction” projects.
    - Francesca Marano 4:47 pm on May 23, 2017
      
      I also meant dividing ourselves in sub-groups online. Start in Paris and continue our work in smaller teams.
      
      We already have some initiatives that work like that, with specific sprints and chats: I think we could make it “official”.
      For examples we have people working on a microgrant program, CoCCode of Conduct “A code of conduct is a set of rules outlining the norms, rules, and responsibilities or proper practices of an individual party.” - Wikipedia and a pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory https://wordpress.org/plugins/ or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party for speaker applications but none of this is easy to find in our Community blog. I have no idea of how difficult and time-consuming it would be to work on the UXUX UX is an acronym for User Experience - the way the user uses the UI. Think ‘what they are doing’ and less about how they do it. and IA of our space, but I’d love to explore the possibilities 🙂
- Emanuel Blagonic 6:47 am on May 23, 2017
  
  Not sure if people will need it, but I was thinking about helping with the communication for WordCamps/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./Other events. There’s a lot of things that can be improved (talking from my experience and the errors we made), and I can cover everything from small events to large ones (been doing this for our Meetups in Croatia, smaller WordCamps and now WCEUWCEU WordCamp Europe. The European flagship WordCamp event.). This might be useful to other organisers (how to communicate things, reaching media, communicating for maximum reach etc.), and would probably go with the first goal “Increase WordPress events and Events attendance”. I’d also like to help with Microgrants. (or anything else on that matter) 🙂
  - Andrea Middleton 2:56 pm on May 23, 2017
    
    I’d also like to help with Microgrants. (or anything else on that matter) 🙂
    
    <3
  - Josepha 9:37 pm on May 24, 2017
    
    I would plus one the communication things you can share as well.
- Peter Nemcok 9:37 am on May 23, 2017
  
  I was thinking about creating a mentorship group and/or workshop to exchange our experience from mentoring WordCamps and maybe we can find and train some new 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. 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. during CD. We can also work on improvements of our documentation and mentorship checklist.
  - Emanuel Blagonic 9:42 am on May 23, 2017
    
    I’d be up for that too. 🙂
  - Andrea Middleton 3:11 pm on May 23, 2017
    
    I think adding documentation — or just even identifying what documentation we’d like to add — to the handbooks would be an excellent Contributor DayContributor Day Contributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of https://make.wordpress.org/ There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. https://2017.us.wordcamp.org/contributor-day/ https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/. project! We’ll also have a bunch of “marketing to the community” folks there, with @bridgetwillard helping organize them, so if we wanted to collaborate on a few pages of best practices/recommendations for “free and easy marketing for your 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.” and “free and easy marketing for your 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.,” I think that would be FANTASTIC.
    - Bridget Willard 4:07 pm on May 23, 2017
      
      That is a great idea.
  - Josepha 9:37 pm on May 24, 2017
    
    I love this idea!
Andrea Middleton 3:07 pm on May 23, 2017

If we’re going to work on the microgrants program, we’ll need some developers who are familiar with wordcamp.org. I think we’re close to being able to open the program in “betaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process.” — ie, open it with a form, a basic list of expectations, and some reviewing process roughly outlined. We could then handle 20ish applications to see what comes up, maybe between July-September, and use that “live testing” data to correct and refine expectations and processes for a “full launch” in 2018. So, developers and designers who’re interested in this grants program (full outline here), please raise your hands if you want to work on this at WCEUWCEU WordCamp Europe. The European flagship WordCamp event. Contributor DayContributor Day Contributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of https://make.wordpress.org/ There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. https://2017.us.wordcamp.org/contributor-day/ https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/. (or beyond)!
Kevin Cristiano 3:28 pm on May 23, 2017

I like what I’ve read.

Tasks I’d like to see (in addition to the above) if we have people for are:

Updating documentation for Organizers on how 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. Site works. We always have questions on this and as the site improves, the documentation does tend to lag behind.

Some documentations on the themes at WordCamp.org and what we’ve found to be their strengths and weaknesses. Many camps struggle with the themes and regret their choice later on . It’d be good to have some guidance available for them.
Jenny 10:05 pm on May 23, 2017
I think a big thing that can be done on the contributor dayContributor Day Contributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of https://make.wordpress.org/ There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. https://2017.us.wordcamp.org/contributor-day/ https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/. is better documentation for both WordCamps and 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. organisers.

This can be broken down to the following:
- People who have noticed missing information or have more to share and therefore can spend the day writing it up and publishing it.
- People who have never been 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. / Meetup organiser who can review the documentation and check fro any i10n lanuague or phrasing that needs changing as well as any missing information.
- People who can organise and arrange new & current information into a cohesive manner.
To help with this, a glossary / phrase help sheet would be handy so that there is consistancy across the way we name, describe and call things.
- Ulrich 6:58 pm on June 6, 2017
  Here are a few things that I found in the documentation that could be improved.
  - “Insurance. Does the venue provide event insurance? If not, WordCamp CentralWordCamp Central Website for all WordCamp activities globally. https://central.wordcamp.org includes a list of upcoming and past camp with links to each.’s blanket insurance policy will cover any event in the US and Canada.” The Insurance covers most countries. https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/wordcamp-organizer/first-steps/venue-and-date/
  - Sample Budgets – We have a new tool https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/wordcamp-organizer/first-steps/budget-and-finances/#sample-budgets
  - Google Forms shortcodeShortcode A shortcode is a placeholder used within a WordPress post, page, or widget to insert a form or function generated by a plugin in a specific location on your site. missing – https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/wordcamp-organizer/first-steps/web-presence/setting-up-your-wordcamp-theme/shortcode-embeds/#google-forms
  - The budget tool is not yet documented
  If I think of anything else I will mention it.
- Ulrich 8:47 pm on June 11, 2017
  
  Oh, as the templates need to updated on https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/wordcamp-organizer/first-steps/helpful-documents-and-templates/
  
  Specifically 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. Budget Templates and WordCamp Planning Milestones.
  - Andrea Middleton 7:43 am on June 12, 2017
    
    Oh yes, excellent point.
Josepha 9:40 pm on May 24, 2017
Would some cross-team collaboration be welcome? If so, what do people think about:
- translating major parts of the handbook
- discussion of how to use the +make.wordpress.org/training materials at 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. (or WordPress 101 days at WordCamps)
Thomas Bruehl 1:26 am on May 28, 2017

What I’ve seen on the last german contributor days is, that the new people who’re joining are mostly interested in getting their own 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. up and running or want to get involved in organizing the next 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.. So I think we should do some Q&A around meetup and WordCamp Organizing where 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. or experienced organizers help them getting started and gave an introduction to all the information we’ve online.

Translating parts of the handbook, or even have some localized information would be nice, cause there are always some country specific things on WordCamps.

And it would be nice to work on a Team Page, were we have a list of all the people involved and for which tasks they’re “responsible”, so it is easier to find the right one on a specific problem to ask for.

Also eventually it would be helpful to make some country specific groups, in example I know the people around WordCamp Retreat Soltau wan’t to work on their event.

So enough for my 2 ct. 😉
Mark 2:03 pm on May 30, 2017

With regards to a session for new 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. and 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. organisers… would we have the time (and space) to allow for a session for existing WordCamp & Meetup organisers?
This could allow the organisers that are able to attend to share topic ideas, suggestions for 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. etc., this would allow us all to assist the smaller local communities. And if some more experienced organisers can join us, perhaps they can share some ideas that helped them grow their local communities.
I believe this years WCLondon had something similar.
Hugh Lashbrooke 10:14 am on June 1, 2017

An additional project for the WCEUWCEU WordCamp Europe. The European flagship WordCamp event. Contributor DayContributor Day Contributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of https://make.wordpress.org/ There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. https://2017.us.wordcamp.org/contributor-day/ https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/. will be to define the submitted words/terms for creating our Community Team glossary. More details here: https://make.wordpress.org/community/2017/06/01/updating-the-community-team-glossary/
Emanuel Blagonic 9:14 am on June 6, 2017

One thing to discuss during WCEUWCEU WordCamp Europe. The European flagship WordCamp event. CD – using our own #wceu channels for promoting local Camps (local = European)… we didn’t have a consistent policy regarding that this year, when we were asked to retweet or promote something we did, but a lot of local Camps doesn’t consider (or see) the benefits of this kind of promotion. I’d like to propose (and I’ll work with @petya who did an amazing job past years) this as one of the topics for CD. (this came up in Petya and me talking about it today and I think it’s an idea we should talk with local organisers on WCEU CD)
Hugh Lashbrooke 6:44 am on June 9, 2017
After much discussion and planning, we have narrowed down the goals for the Community Team at WCEUWCEU WordCamp Europe. The European flagship WordCamp event. Contributor DayContributor Day Contributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of https://make.wordpress.org/ There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. https://2017.us.wordcamp.org/contributor-day/ https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/. to the following:
- Making significant progress (completing?) the Microgrants program.
- A group 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. Orientation for new meetup groups.
- Completing 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. Training with a few new 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..
- Documenting all the things: Diversity, Team Page, Budget Tool, i18n check, Glossary/Terms page, Meetup best practices list (and any other things we think of).
These have now been submitted to the WCEU team.

In addition to that, we will also make time for Community Team participants to attend one of the following talks/workshops:
- Event Accessibility: Inclusive Events for All Humans by @ryelle.
- Learn How to Contribute Code to the Meta Team by @iandunn & @coreymckrill.
They are both happening at the same time in different rooms, so participants can choose which one they will attend.

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Planning for WCEU Contributor Day

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