This is the home of the Make Community team for the WordPress open sourceOpen SourceOpen 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. project!
Here is where we have policy debates, project announcements, and assist community members in organizing events.
Everyone is welcome to comment on posts and participate in the discussions regardless of skill level or experience.
Get Involved
If you love WordPress and want to help us do these things, join in!
The cohort, which had 52 mentees supported by 28 mentorsEvent SupporterEvent 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., kicked off on February 19, 2024, and went on for six weeks to formally wrap up on March 29. Out of this group, 44 mentees leveled up their WordPress contribution knowledge and made impactful contributions to the WordPress project.
Please join me in congratulating all our mentees who have graduated from the program!
Our mentorship program took place in a dedicated slackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/. channel in the Make/WordPress Slack for six weeks. For the first two weeks, our mentees were oriented to the program through kick-off session, got to know their mentors, set contribution goals, and learned about the WordPress project through learn-up sessions. On Weeks 3 and 4, our mentees started contributing to the teams of their choice, which continued through Weeks 5 and 6, when they wrapped-up by setting a 30-60-90 day goal and graduated from the program! Many mentees took part in projects where they worked in small groups to make collective contributions. Throughout the process, our mentees also got an inside view of the WordPress 6.5 release process and the WordPress project itself, as many mentees contributed to WordPress CoreCoreCore is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. by joining the release parties.
Achievements from our Program
In six weeks, many of our mentees went out of the way to contribute to WordPress. Compared to our last cohort, we had many more contributions to WordPress, as our mentees not only onboarded to the project, but also spent a bulk of their time contributing. Here’s a (non-exhaustive) list of achievements from our cohort members:
👩💻Scores of Core Contributions (issues and patches)
🌎 WordPress 6.5 BetaBetaA 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. and RCRelease CandidateA beta version of software with the potential to be a final product, which is ready to release unless significant bugs emerge. release posts translated to local languages.
🌎 Thousands of strings translated to several languages
🎓 Translated Learn WordPress lessons
🇫🇷🇮🇹Translating WordPress documentation to local languages (Italian and French)
✍️ Extensive contributions to the WordPress User and Developer Documentation
💬 Running Team chats for multiple teams (Community, Training, Test)
📜 Writing summaries for multiple team chats (Community, Training, Test)
🎉 Active participation in WordPress 6.5 Beta, RC, dry-run, and main release parties.
♻️ Contribution to the Sustainability Team documentation
📺 Becoming a WordPress.tv moderator
📝 Leading contributor dayContributor DayContributor 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/. tables at a WordCampWordCampWordCamps 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.
⛺️ Organizing a WordCamp
📸 Contribute photos to the WordPress Photo Directory
👔🤝 Individually advocating and helping their company join Five for the Future!
🖥 Set up a local environment for WordCamp.org and started working on open issues for the WordCamp network.
🎟 Contributed to the MetaMetaMeta is a term that refers to the inside workings of a group. For us, this is the team that works on internal WordPress sites like WordCamp Central and Make WordPress. Team by submitting Meta tickets.
🧑🎨 Several contributions to the Community Theme project (both existing and new themes).
🛝 Contributions to the WordPress Playground Documentation
📚 Updates to the CLICLICommand Line Interface. Terminal (Bash) in Mac, Command Prompt in Windows, or WP-CLI for WordPress. handbook
🖨 Several contributions to GutenbergGutenbergThe Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface for WordPress. The editor improves the process and experience of creating new content, making writing rich content much simpler. It uses ‘blocks’ to add richness rather than shortcodes, custom HTML etc. https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/
💪 Active participation in team processes such as publishing blog posts in Make/Test
⚡️Supporting WordPress event reactivation
Another highlight of this cohort was that six of our graduating mentees were supported by an LGBTQ+ empowerment grant.
Contributions to WordPress 6.5
The biggest win of the program remains to be its impact on WordPress 6.5. To summarize:
🌟 Among our mentors and mentees, our program offered eight (8) first-time core contributorsCore ContributorsCore contributors are those who have worked on a release of WordPress, by creating the functions or finding and patching bugs. These contributions are done through Trac. https://core.trac.wordpress.org. to the project!
Big congratulations and many thanks to all contributors!
Learning Materials from the Mentorship Program
For folks who are curious about the Mentorship Program, we are sharing some of the learning materials that our mentees used and were created during the program.
This program was a true community effort, with WordPress Contributor Working Group members working hand-in-hand to make this pilot program a reality. We faced many challenges, but we all worked together to ensure a smooth contributor experience for our mentees.
Mentors
As a heavily mentorEvent SupporterEvent 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.-driven program, our mentors are the cornerstone behind the success of this cohort. Mentors went out of their way to support their paired mentees by helping them step up their contributions. I can safely attribute the success of our program to the exceptional support and commitment offered by our vibrant group of mentors.
Our mentors and mentees did not miss any chance to connect with each other. We hung out with each other informal group calls and had a lot of fun! Some of us also met in-person a few times at WordCamp Asia and WordCamp Torrelodones!
What next?
Even though the mentorship program has formally concluded, our mentees’ WordPress contributor journey has only started. Many of our mentees have prepared 30-60-90 day plans and plan to active contribute to WordPress. Quite a few of our mentees have also expressed interest in participating in the WordPress 6.6 release process. We have a total of 19 participants from our program who would like to join the 6.6 release team so far, with 14 applications coming from mentees! Many mentees have formally ensconced their commitment to WordPress contributions by pledging to contribute through part of Five for the Future, with at least one mentee securing sponsorship from their employer to do so during the program!
Going forward the success of our program depends on how engaged our mentees are. We are working on a post-event survey for our mentees and mentors, and the survey results will shed more light into how the program went. Working group members aim to check in with mentees later this year to see how they are doing with their contributor journey, to also find out more about their contribution journey and offer any support that they need.
Even as we celebrate the success of the contributor mentorship program, the Contributor Working Group still has miles to go. We will continue our monthly chats, and start working on the next iteration of the mentorship program alongside WordPress 6.7, in November.The working group also aims to start working on other tasks to improve the overall WordPress contributor experience, focusing on improving programs such as Five for the Future.
Join us for the next mentorship chat on April 18th in #community-team, if you would like to be a part of the working group and support us in making the WordPress contributor experience the best it can be!
Interested in being a part of the next cohort of the WordPress Contributor Mentorship Program as a mentor or mentee? Leave a comment on this blog post expressing your interest!
Reading about the program so far, what are your thoughts on this mentorship program? Do you have any thoughts, suggestions, feelings, ideas, or feedback for us? Please share your thoughts in the comments!
+make.wordpress.orgWordPress.orgThe community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org//project
We are thrilled to share the exciting news about the launch of the second cohort of the WordPress Contributor Mentorship program, starting next week, Monday, February 19th! This program offers a special chance for those enthusiastic about WordPress to immerse themselves in the project and make impactful contributions.
Who Are the Mentees?
This cohort is made up of over 50 diverse contributors, each either matched with a mentorEvent SupporterEvent 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 part of a task-focused project under the guidance of multiple mentorsEvent SupporterEvent 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.. These participants were chosen from a pool of 76 applicants from around the globe. All those who submitted an application should have an email waiting for them with the application results.
Program Breakdown
This cohort will span over a six-week period:
Weeks 1 and 2 (February 19 – March 3): Kick-off session, initial mentor/mentee check-in, setting contribution goals, and online workshops.
Weeks 3 and 4 (March 4 – March 17): Focus on onboarding mentees to their chosen Make/WordPress teams, with support from team representatives, to make their initial contributions.
Weeks 5 and 6 (March 18 – March 29): Wrap up, set a 30-60-90-day goal, and a graduation session.
After these six weeks, mentees will gain a solid understanding of the WordPress project, contribute to their chosen Make/Teams, and prepare for continued involvement. Following the pilot cohort’s success, this cohort’s timing is again aligned with the WordPress 6.5 release, providing mentees with a firsthand look at the release process of WordPress.
Our Mentors
The success of this program is largely due to our dedicated mentors who provide one-on-one support, guiding mentees through their WordPress journey.
MetaMetaMeta is a term that refers to the inside workings of a group. For us, this is the team that works on internal WordPress sites like WordCamp Central and Make WordPress.
In the spirit of openness and collaboration, we invite the WordPress community to follow our cohort’s progress. While not everyone can be assigned a specific mentor, those interested are welcome to join the #contributor-mentorship channel on Make/WordPress SlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/.. Here, you can engage in public sessions and stay informed about the developments of the WordPress 6.5 release and the broader contributor community.
This program couldn’t happen without the tireless efforts of our mentors, the Contributor Working Group, and all involved in organizing and supporting this initiative. Your dedication to fostering growth and learning within the WordPress community is invaluable. Let’s make this cohort a success together to enhance mentorship within the WordPress project and empower more contributors!
As on February 7th, 2024 23:59 PT (07:59 UTC), MentorEvent SupporterEvent 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. and Mentee applications for the WordPress Contributor Mentorship Program have closed. Thank you so much for the overwhelming response to the call for mentorsEvent SupporterEvent 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. and mentees. We will reach out to all applicants that had applied, regarding next steps.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the second WordPress Contributor Mentorship Program cohort for the first quarter of 2024! This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for experienced WordPress contributors and those looking to get involved for the first time.
Program Goals
Our program aims to connect seasoned WordPress experts with newcomers to the community. Mentees will gain invaluable hands-on experience contributing to WordPress, while mentors share their expertise and enhance their leadership skills.
Who Can Join?
Mentees
Whether you are new to WordPress or looking to enhance your skills in a specific area, this program offers a unique chance to learn from experienced contributors in the community.
Never contributed? You’re invited to apply!Experience is not required, but we are looking for someone ready to dive into the program when we start the cohort in mid-February. Your chance of being selected will increase if the following criteria are met by the end of the application period (February 7, 2024):
You’ve set up WordPress.orgWordPress.orgThe community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org/ and SlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/. accounts (here’s how)
* Some ways to achieve this are to visit the Contributor Orientation Tool to find your first contribution opportunity or take one of the Contributing to WordPress courses. A profile badge counts as an activity as well. If you have any questions, please leave a comment on this post – which actually will show up as an activity on your profile, too 😀
[Edit on January 29]A third-party grant is available for up to four mentees who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. For more information, visit this post.
Mentors
If you have experience in WordPress development, design, marketing, community engagement, or any other WordPress-related area and wish to guide new contributors, this is your chance to make a significant impact.
This time, there’s also the option to propose a small project for folks to work on! If you have something you’d like to complete while guiding a group of 4-6 mentees, you’d be a perfect fit for this program. Read more about an optional project-based mentorship.
Edit on January 15: In the previous cohort, the mentorship relation was 1:1 between mentors and mentees. If you are interested in supporting multiple mentees, please indicate your interest in the last comment box of the application form.
Application Process & Cohort Timeline
To participate, please fill out the relevant form: Mentor and mentee applications are now closed.
The timeline for this cohort is:
Application Opens: Friday, January 12, 2024
Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Cohort Selection Announcement: Third week of February 2024
Program Duration: February 19 to March 29, 2024 (6 weeks)
Benefits
For Mentees: Personalized guidance, skill development, and networking opportunities within the WordPress community.
For Mentors: A chance to give back to the community, enhance your leadership skills, and connect with emerging contributors.
I hope many of you participate in this exciting journey of learning and collaboration!
I feel excited and proud to announce that the Inaugural Cohort of the Experimental WordPress Contributor Mentorship program is formally launching today (July 12th)!
Organized by the Contributor Working Group of the WordPress Community Team, the mentorship program pilot is a four-week event between July 12th and August 9th, 2023. Participants (mentees) will asynchronously work together in a cohort with a group of mentorsEvent SupporterEvent 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. to build a strong foundation in the WordPress project and make initial contributions to the contributor team of their choice. This will be made possible through cohort-based and personalized 1:1 mentorship, guided courses, and live online workshops. A brief overview of the program can be found in the flowchart below:
Originally formed in 2021, and relaunched in 2023, the Contributor Working Group of the Community Team aims to improve the contributor experience of the WordPress project. Currently, the group is focusing exclusively on building this mentorship program as an experiment, before embarking on other projects.
The inaugural cohort contains a diverse group of 13 contributors from all over the world, who are assigned to a mentorEvent SupporterEvent 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. each, with a focus on contributor team interest, geographic/language alignment. These folks were chosen from around 50 applications we received from aspiring contributors all over the world. We also have seven Make Teams participating in our initial cohort to onboard team members into their teams.
The Plan of Action
Our group has a four week program, with our week officially kicking off today (July 12th).
Week 1 and Week 2 (July 12th through July 25th) During this week, mentees will be oriented to the project. They will learn about the project through mentorship, some pre-designed courses, and certain workshops which we will be hosting. Mentees will also work with their mentors to get a broad guidance about the program, and also decide the teams that they wish to contribute to.
Week 3 and Week 4 (July 26th through August 9th) By now, mentees will have received an overview of the project, and in the coming weeks, the focus will be on onboarding them to the Make/WordPress team of their choice. Mentees can attend onboarding workshops organized by team representatives, and get support from team representatives to make contributions to the teams of their choice.
By the end of the four-week period, mentees will have picked up a good overview of the WordPress project, and will have made some initial contributions to the Make/Teams of their choice. Ideally they will be set up for success and will get a chance to continue contributing to the WordPress project as per their bandwidth and availability. The USP of this cohort is that it aligns with the WordPress 6.3 release, which will offer mentees to get an inside view of how a WordPress release gets out in the wild.
This program is a cross team effort, and I would like to take a moment to thank and credit everyone involved in making this project a reality!
Mentors
Our Mentors offer 1:1 support to each contributor in our cohort. These mentors check-in with mentees each week to offer them support and guidance on the program and to answer any questions that they may have about the same, while offering them guidance and direction on our program. Here’s a list of mentors in our current cohort, with each mentor being assigned to one participant/mentee.
As part of our mentorship program, our participants will get onboarded to the Make/Teams of their choice. We have the following folks representing multiple teams, who will help our contributors get onboarded to the project. Our inaugural cohort will only have a limited set of teams – you will find below a list of teams and team representatives who will help onboard contributors to the respective teams over the course of the mentorship program.
Team
Team Mentors
CoreCoreCore is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress.
Finally, our facilitators do all the heavy lifting of running and managing the program. I would like to take a moment to celebrate all their hard work and heavy lifting in making the program happen!
In the true spirit of WordPress and open sourceOpen SourceOpen 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., all our work will happen out in the wild! As an experiment, we are sharing an option for all community members to follow along our cohort! While our group is not in a position to assign mentors to everyone, the activities and tasks of our cohort will be shared in the newly-formed #contributor-mentorship channel of the Make/WordPress SlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/., where interested folks can join most of our contributing sessions and onboarding sessions which will also be shared widely with our community.
Once again, big thanks to everyone involved for their hard work in building this program from ground up. This program is an experiment—our hope is to learn as much as possible from the same to improve mentorship in the WordPress project and to support and empower more contributors. If you have any feedback on the same, we would love to hear from you – you can either share the same as comments in this post, or reach out to one of the working group members or myself privately in the Make/WordPress Slack!
Watch out for more updates from the contributor working group, and our wrap-up post celebrating our cohort once the mentorship concludes!