Title: Proposal: Creating a WordPress Contributor Mentorship Program Author: Hari Shanker R Published: February 6, 2023 Last modified: February 23, 2024 --- [ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 4:00 pm _on_ February 6, 2023 Tags: [5ftF ( 13 )](https://make.wordpress.org/project/tag/5ftf/), [Five for the Future ( 13 )](https://make.wordpress.org/project/tag/five-for-the-future/), [proposal ( 2 )](https://make.wordpress.org/project/tag/proposal/)    # Proposal: Creating a WordPress Contributor Mentorship Program In January 2023, I [published a blog post](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/01/09/request-for-feedback-how-can-we-improve-the-five-for-the-future-contributor-journey/) requesting feedback from the community on the contributor journey for the WordPress 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. project. There was [extensive feedback](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/01/09/request-for-feedback-how-can-we-improve-the-five-for-the-future-contributor-journey/#comment-237) from contributors around the world who identified gaps in the WordPress contribution flow. Upon analyzing the comments, two major action items stood out as potential solutions to fix these gaps:  * To improve the overall onboarding process in the WordPress project * To offer more mentorship opportunities in WordPress WordPress is an open source project that relies heavily on its community of volunteer contributors for its existence. Better onboarding and more mentorship opportunities will go a long way in fostering a vibrant community of committed volunteer contributors. By offering direct support for such contributors, we provide them with a unique learning opportunity that will help them grow as both leaders in the project and professionals in their fields while helping WordPress succeed.  **To achieve this goal, I propose a project-wide WordPress contributor mentorship program that aims to empower new and aspiring contributors by helping them succeed in (and with) the project through mentorship.** This initial concept was born out of past discussions with contributors and [feedback from the contributor journey blog post](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/01/09/request-for-feedback-how-can-we-improve-the-five-for-the-future-contributor-journey/#comment-237). Mentorship in WordPress is not a radically new idea –  it has been discussed several times in [past community summits](https://make.wordpress.org/summit/) and was [formally proposed a few years back (in the form of an onboarding team)](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2018/02/15/potential-addition-of-a-new-onboarding-team/). While the idea did not get a lot of traction in the past, feedback from contributors makes me feel that the time is right to launch such a program. I strongly feel that it will help us build the next generation of WordPress leaders we need to take our project forward through the future. This also ties to one of the [big-picture goals for WordPress in 2023](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/01/18/big-picture-goals-2023/), which is to _“Establish contributor and mentor programs.”_  There are so many moving parts to any mentorship program and several factors that should be considered in order to make it happen. For starters, what will mentorship look like in WordPress? What kind of support do new contributors need? What type of mentorship works best? How can such an idea create a long-term impact? So many questions! Clearly, the idea behind a contributor mentorship program is complex. It should be a cross-team effort and needs the broader support of our global community to make it happen.  **A dedicated working group will be needed for a project-wide WordPress contributor mentorship program. To that end, if this proposal moves forward, I’d love to revive the Contributor Working Group under the [Make/Community Team](https://make.wordpress.org/community/).** The working group was [founded in September 2020](https://make.wordpress.org/community/2020/09/14/contributor-working-group-call-for-volunteers/) and led by the amazing [@amethystanswers](https://profiles.wordpress.org/amethystanswers/). The group, with an original focus on improving the onboarding process, enhancing new contributor experience, and coordinating with Make/Teams, did a lot of good work such as [suggesting improved onboarding flows, and organizing online contributor day events](https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/wpcontributors/), even as the world struggled from the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope to build on the excellent contributions of the group and its members to kick off work on creating a contributor mentorship program for WordPress and finding ways to improve our onboarding flow. ## Request for Feedback * What are your thoughts on a Mentorship program for WordPress?  * Assuming this proposal gets support from the community, what would we need to make such a mentorship program successful? * What are your thoughts on restarting the contributor working group? * And finally – would you like to be a part of this working group to help build a mentorship program for WordPress?  Please share your feedback in the comments by F̶e̶b̶r̶u̶a̶r̶y̶ ̶2̶0̶,̶ ̶2̶0̶2̶3̶ February 27, 2023. _The following folks contributed to or reviewed this post: [@angelasjin](https://profiles.wordpress.org/angelasjin/) [@cbringmann](https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/) [@tacoverdo](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tacoverdo/) [@unintended8](https://profiles.wordpress.org/unintended8/) [@peiraisotta](https://profiles.wordpress.org/peiraisotta/)_ [#5ftf](https://make.wordpress.org/project/tag/5ftf/), [#five-for-the-future](https://make.wordpress.org/project/tag/five-for-the-future/), [#proposal](https://make.wordpress.org/project/tag/proposal/) ### Share this: * [ Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/02/06/proposal-creating-a-wordpress-contributor-mentorship-program/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/02/06/proposal-creating-a-wordpress-contributor-mentorship-program/?share=mastodon) * [ Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/02/06/proposal-creating-a-wordpress-contributor-mentorship-program/?share=bluesky) * [ X ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/02/06/proposal-creating-a-wordpress-contributor-mentorship-program/?share=x) * [ Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/02/06/proposal-creating-a-wordpress-contributor-mentorship-program/?share=facebook) * [ LinkedIn ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/02/06/proposal-creating-a-wordpress-contributor-mentorship-program/?share=linkedin) * [Login to Reply](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fproject%2F2023%2F02%2F06%2Fproposal-creating-a-wordpress-contributor-mentorship-program%2F%23respond&locale=en_US) 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc299e7661427be01b68a46d2ebb55bdd5635e548b6f9ea12dec2930c5d4a858? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 2. [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 5:34 pm _on_ February 6, 2023 3. +make.wordpress.org/community/ 4. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3e78f487b817bc4d2e346731d508a3ec0595bd644ca0be7ea1d968a86e929206? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 5. [Dan Knauss](https://profiles.wordpress.org/dpknauss/) 6:29 pm _on_ February 6, 2023 6. 1. Sounds great! 2. Success probably means significant buy-in and mentors-mentees seeing a process through to some specific and time-based goals — without overwhelming the available mentors. A mentee-mentor selection and pairing process might help make good matches and set expectations. 3. Restarting the contributor working group — also a good idea. 4. Yes. 👋🏻 7. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d48e0f742e0182e0f377c1087a76c42abff4bf25a55a4f25b66c8ffd7fe869ce? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 8. [Brad Williams](https://profiles.wordpress.org/williamsba1/) 8:26 pm _on_ February 6, 2023 9. One suggestion is to include companies in the group to help mentor other companies on contributing to WordPress. 10. My company, WebDevStudios, has contributed to WordPress through our Five for the Future involvement since the start back in 2014. We have even mentored other companies on how they can incorporate [#5FTF](https://make.wordpress.org/project/tag/5ftf/) into their own processes and get involved as a group! 11. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc299e7661427be01b68a46d2ebb55bdd5635e548b6f9ea12dec2930c5d4a858? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 4:51 pm _on_ February 28, 2023 * Excellent idea, [@williamsba1](https://profiles.wordpress.org/williamsba1/)! You are highlighting a problem that was identified while examining the [Five for the Future contributor journey](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/01/09/request-for-feedback-how-can-we-improve-the-five-for-the-future-contributor-journey/). Mentorship for contributing companies is extremely valuable to solve issues faced by relatively new companies, and I agree that it would be immensely valuable to build connections between contributing companies. * While the proposed mentorship program is aimed more at supporting new volunteer contributors, I can see how sponsored contributors (through 5ftF) could be mentors for the program. With that said, I would love to explore ways for companies to support each other and see value in the kind of mentorship you’re proposing. If you don’t mind, I would love to chat with you sometime to discuss 5FTF! 12. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/318e2ba7152912344dd6979d1c5511b81e911cb0010eefd9ea2693ebf119083a? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 13. [Pooja Derashri](https://profiles.wordpress.org/webtechpooja/) 6:48 am _on_ February 7, 2023 14. Firstly, Thanks for this proposal. 15. 1. It looks like an amazing idea, and I support this initiative. 2. To make this program successful, I think we should collaborate with every Make team and can create an echo system for new contributors and existing contributors. So their journey of contributions to the Five for the future program will go smoothly. Mentors can connect the dots about where and how to contribute through the mentorship program. 3. Restarting the contributor working group is a nice way to achieve the goal we are aiming for. 4. Yes, I would be glad to be a part of this. 16. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/890bd890338f9b6a17143a65ac10a20410e135583d95106bb09f20d91f66afe2? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 17. [tobifjellner (Tor-Bjorn Fjellner)](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tobifjellner/) 1:44 pm _on_ February 10, 2023 18. +make.wordpress.org/polyglots/ 19. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b97bf3c15798d1fc6470de85f1cea115a22d810679ba5f97e4632ac5245ed156? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 20. [Megan](https://profiles.wordpress.org/megabyterose/) 2:43 pm _on_ February 10, 2023 21. I love the idea! 🙂 22. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/20c07799fa8ca0c13c6b9497e8aaa6685827731bf688aac8cb7640fcbbbcb70c? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 23. [david wolfpaw](https://profiles.wordpress.org/wolfpaw/) 12:01 pm _on_ February 11, 2023 24. I am a big fan of this idea. 25. For selfish reasons, I would love more experienced contributors to walk me through the current setup for contributing to specific teams. It can often feel unintentionally opaque, with the number of places to connect and a perceived lack of a step-by- step guide to getting started. 26. On the other side, I would like something like this as an opportunity to get re- involved in contributing to WordPress, and would be interested in joining discussions on identifying the needs of a mentorship team and offering support in meeting those needs. 27. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc299e7661427be01b68a46d2ebb55bdd5635e548b6f9ea12dec2930c5d4a858? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 4:52 pm _on_ February 28, 2023 * Thank you for your excellent feedback, [@wolfpaw](https://profiles.wordpress.org/wolfpaw/). I love the idea of getting veteran contributors reinvolved in WordPress through the mentorship program! That sounds like an excellent way to re-engage folks. I also see how this program could be beneficial for many new contributors, in view of the upcoming challenges in connection with global economic scenario! 28. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/113c5f9278504b2e6d55fce1f8412914ed6328ff34c3b9e099493e36d2f875b7? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 29. [Gennady Kovshenin](https://profiles.wordpress.org/soulseekah/) 2:43 pm _on_ February 16, 2023 30. 1. Sounds like a great idea. 2. Good communication, a system of accountability, diligence and discipline. 3. Yes. 4. Absolutely. 31. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8e997e7b6570ba04b872e29f736ce77a396a6b024e434de7c82530456a253e65? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 32. [Courtney P.K.](https://profiles.wordpress.org/courtneypk/) 1:22 am _on_ February 18, 2023 33. Thanks for all your efforts with this proposal so far! ⭐ 34. a. I’m all for this proposal and think a mentorship program is very needed. b. A well-documented process is needed, and a roster of mentors dedicated to the program at launch. c. Restarting the working group makes the most sense to me, and building upon the work that has already been done. d. Yes, depending on bandwidth. 🙂 35. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc299e7661427be01b68a46d2ebb55bdd5635e548b6f9ea12dec2930c5d4a858? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 4:53 pm _on_ February 28, 2023 * Really appreciate this feedback from you, [@courtneypk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/courtneypk/) and thank you for stressing the importance of a well-documented process and on creating a roster of mentors! 36. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d298e84cd1f4ef3c06c8c5446b3b2623f607844b0f356fccaba3951e448e6155? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 37. [Christina Workman](https://profiles.wordpress.org/amethystanswers/) 5:50 pm _on_ February 19, 2023 38. It will come as no surprise that I think this is a great idea! 39. Some things I think are important to consider for a contributor mentorship program to be successful: 40. * buy-in and support from all teams * ensuring we have mentors available to help those who have no clue where to begin as well as those who are interested in a specific team but would benefit from some guidance * a better entry point on the Make website for new contributors (just as we’ve heard from 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/](https://make.wordpress.org/) There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. [https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/](https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/) attendees how overwhelming it can be to walk into the room and not know what to do or where to go, the Make site has a similar feel: no starting point to get help or general info before joining a virtual table of strangers) * clear goals and documentation * ensuring the best kind of mentorship is created for different needs: while I can see value in a formal paired mentor-mentee relationship for some contributors, when it comes to onboarding and growing the contributor community I think a more relaxed, general approach would yield greater results. * a dedicated SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform [https://slack.com/](https://slack.com/). The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at [https://make.wordpress.org/chat/](https://make.wordpress.org/chat/) channel for potential and current mentees (aka contributors) to ask questions and find more info, both about the mentorship program and about contributing 41. +1 for starting up the working group again 42. I’m interested in participating but may need to be async more often than not. 43. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc299e7661427be01b68a46d2ebb55bdd5635e548b6f9ea12dec2930c5d4a858? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 4:55 pm _on_ February 28, 2023 * I’ll be honest, I’m touched by this comment, [@amethystanswers](https://profiles.wordpress.org/amethystanswers/)! As the OG lead of the contributor working group, your feedback means a lot to me. All the points you have shared are valid, especially along the lines of multiple types of mentorship, a dedicated communication channel, and an entry point. This feedback will go a long way in building our program! Thank you, also for expressing your interest in participating – your asynchronous participation will be invaluable! 44. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc299e7661427be01b68a46d2ebb55bdd5635e548b6f9ea12dec2930c5d4a858? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 45. [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 12:50 am _on_ February 20, 2023 46. Thank you so much for your excellent feedback on this proposal, everyone! ⭐️ Given the importance and value of a big project like this, I’m going to keep it open for comments for one more week, until February 27th, to get more feedback before we proceed further. 47. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc299e7661427be01b68a46d2ebb55bdd5635e548b6f9ea12dec2930c5d4a858? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 48. [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 4:46 pm _on_ February 28, 2023 49. A big thanks to [@dpknauss](https://profiles.wordpress.org/dpknauss/), [@williamsba1](https://profiles.wordpress.org/williamsba1/), [@webtechpooja](https://profiles.wordpress.org/webtechpooja/), [@megabyterose](https://profiles.wordpress.org/megabyterose/), [@tobifjellner](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tobifjellner/), [@wolfpaw](https://profiles.wordpress.org/wolfpaw/), [@soulseekah](https://profiles.wordpress.org/soulseekah/), [@courtneypk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/courtneypk/), and [@amethystanswers](https://profiles.wordpress.org/amethystanswers/) for your excitement about the proposal and your valuable feedback on the same! In your comments, all of you have highlighted the need for a WordPress contributor mentorship program and supported restarting the Contributor Working group as a vehicle for building the same. Many of you even expressed interest in joining this working group as well! I have to admit, I am _beyond_ excited and humbled by your enthusiasm and passion. 50. Below, I’m sharing a high-level overview of the additional feedback you all have shared on how a successful mentorship program should look like: 51. * It should get buy-in from mentors and mentees * A mentorship process that is connected to specific time-based goals without overwhelming mentors. * Ensure that the program follows accountability, diligence, and discipline * Create a mentor-mentee selection and pairing process for the mentorship program * Get buy-in on the program with Make/Teams and to build connections with them. * Have experienced contributors as mentors who guide contributors through the set up for contributing to make/teams. * Mentorship could be an opportunity for experienced contributors to re-involve with WordPress and get involved in discussions on identifying the needs of a mentorship team. * Excellent communication throughout mentorship * Mentorship as a way to guide new contributors coming into the program. * Clear goals and extensive documentation for the program. * Building different kinds of mentorship aimed at different needs * Creating a safe space, like a dedicated SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform [https://slack.com/](https://slack.com/). The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at [https://make.wordpress.org/chat/](https://make.wordpress.org/chat/) channel in the Make/Slack to connect mentors and mentees. 52. These are all excellent comments, which will go a long way as we build the foundation for our mentorship program, _together_. 53. As the next step, I’m going to publish a follow-up post on the Make/Community blog by early next week, to formally kick-off the working group, in order to start working on the mentorship program. I would like to warmly welcome all of you to the working group, and would greatly appreciate your support in this exciting mentorship program. I will keep you all in the loopLoop The Loop is PHP code used by WordPress to display posts. Using The Loop, WordPress processes each post to be displayed on the current page, and formats it according to how it matches specified criteria within The Loop tags. Any HTML or PHP code in the Loop will be processed on each post. [https://codex.wordpress.org/The_Loop](https://codex.wordpress.org/The_Loop) about all the upcoming updates. 54. Once again, thank you so much, for all that you do for WordPress and for your ongoing support to our favorite 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. project! 55. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/890bd890338f9b6a17143a65ac10a20410e135583d95106bb09f20d91f66afe2? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [tobifjellner (Tor-Bjorn Fjellner)](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tobifjellner/) 4:57 pm _on_ February 28, 2023 * Would “discoverability about contributing in general”? (I.e. linking to discussions around some kind of wp-admin widgetWidget A WordPress Widget is a small block that performs a specific function. You can add these widgets in sidebars also known as widget-ready areas on your web page. WordPress widgets were originally created to provide a simple and easy-to-use way of giving design and structure control of the WordPress theme to the user. with content that can be tweaked depending on chosen language and “location” in the events widget? - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc299e7661427be01b68a46d2ebb55bdd5635e548b6f9ea12dec2930c5d4a858? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 5:00 pm _on_ February 28, 2023 - Oooh, interesting! This needs a larger conversation, but I see where you’re coming from, [@tobifjellner](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tobifjellner/). This could go a long way in bringing external contributors to WP! - While the working group will focus on mentorship in the initial days, I do see merits in this idea, and would support any way to make important discussions more visible – especially if it brings Make/conversations more visible! * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/890bd890338f9b6a17143a65ac10a20410e135583d95106bb09f20d91f66afe2? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [tobifjellner (Tor-Bjorn Fjellner)](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tobifjellner/) 5:02 pm _on_ February 28, 2023 * Hmm. Perhaps we need mentors for mentors 🙂 I want a channel in SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform [https://slack.com/](https://slack.com/). The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at [https://make.wordpress.org/chat/](https://make.wordpress.org/chat/) as a starting point. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc299e7661427be01b68a46d2ebb55bdd5635e548b6f9ea12dec2930c5d4a858? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 5: 13 pm _on_ February 28, 2023 - Ha, Slackchannelception! 🙂 56. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ae4a4e54f58de7f040c1caef738bb56f5ccaf16b0eed9b2304df92826609d3ca? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 57. [Mike Schroder](https://profiles.wordpress.org/kirasong/) 7:32 am _on_ March 1, 2023 58. I realize I’m submitting this after the deadline for feedback, but I thought I’d leave a comment regardless! 59. I’m really excited about a formalized mentorship program, and would love to help. This is one of the areas of contribution that I find most rewarding. 60. I’ll look out for further posts about this, but also feel free to reach out. 61. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc299e7661427be01b68a46d2ebb55bdd5635e548b6f9ea12dec2930c5d4a858? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 7:36 am _on_ March 1, 2023 * Really appreciate your interest and feedback, @kirasong! Even though the deadline for feedback on this proposal has passed, I’ve intentionally kept it open so that folks could share their thoughts. * I’m so glad to know that you are excited about this program, and I personally feel that you’ll make a great mentor with your vast contribution experience. As mentioned in the closing comment, I’m working on the next steps in building the mentorship program, and will definitely keep you posted. * Thanks once again, for your support for this proposal, and above all – for all that you do for WordPress! 62. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e7b27b178ff5a141aa26976d2f17272a6483508f92d4fc6a210bcf8df560921f? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 63. [Courtney Robertson](https://profiles.wordpress.org/courane01/) 7:28 pm _on_ March 15, 2023 64. Count me in (despite very late to comment) as this aligns well with a learning pathway for contributors via Learn WordPress courses 65. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc299e7661427be01b68a46d2ebb55bdd5635e548b6f9ea12dec2930c5d4a858? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 7:05 am _on_ June 16, 2023 * We have already chatted about this multiple times over and you’re already making fantastic contributions to the working group! But I just wanted to take this opportunity to warmly welcome you to the contributor working group, [@courane01](https://profiles.wordpress.org/courane01/)! 66. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4ed3f58698361e6948ef11e738c0d5a44e2253c289ac076eceddc1d416a6f4de? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 67. [KafleG](https://profiles.wordpress.org/kafleg/) 4:46 am _on_ June 6, 2023 68. I came here to comment after listening to the podcast from [@chanthaboune](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/) about the [power of WordPress mentorship](https://wordpress.org/news/2023/06/episode-57-the-power-of-wordpress-mentorship/). 69. And I believe that, **Better late than never** 😉 70. The mentorship program is an excellent idea and was introduced to the [WordPress themes team](https://wptavern.com/wordpress-theme-review-team-to-launch-mentoring-program) a long time ago. And it was last for a couple of years and I was also able to learn from the mentors in my early phase of themes review. It was really helpful. See this [post](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2014/09/05/call-for-theme-review-mentors/). 71. But these days, we are not able to get reviewers who want to add some meaningful or impactful contributions. There might be various reasons or we are not able to show them the benefits of long-term contributions. 72. So, this mentorship program should add impactful contributors and try to add some long-time contributors. Otherwise, we’ll keep looking for mentors/contributors all the time. 73. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc299e7661427be01b68a46d2ebb55bdd5635e548b6f9ea12dec2930c5d4a858? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Hari Shanker R](https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/) 7:04 am _on_ June 16, 2023 * As always, super-excited to have you with us, [@kafleg](https://profiles.wordpress.org/kafleg/)! I totally did not know about the fact that themes team had mentorship, so this is indeed exciting! I understand that the themes team is not getting a ton of reviewers who are able to make impactful contributions, and I realize the concern that you’re raising. My hope through this program is that we get a pipeline of contributors who stay for the long term, who in turn can mentor and bring new contributors as well. ### Leave a Reply 󠀁[Cancel reply](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/02/06/proposal-creating-a-wordpress-contributor-mentorship-program/?output_format=md#respond)󠁿 You must be [logged in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fproject%2F2023%2F02%2F06%2Fproposal-creating-a-wordpress-contributor-mentorship-program%2F&locale=en_US) to post a comment. # Post navigation [← Discussion: Ending the Eternal September](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/01/27/discussion-ending-the-eternal-september/) [Building Blocks: The Evolution of WordPress 2013-2023 →](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2023/04/13/wordpress-at-20-in-print/)