In 2020, WordPress events adapted to online formats, including do_action events and Open-source workshops. It took some time to figure out how to do so, but the community held 5 do_action hackathons and a handful of open-source workshops in 2020! In moving charity hackathons and introduction to open-source workshops online, community organizers not only brought their WordPress community closer together, but they were also able to make a positive impact on their local or regional community in an exceptionally-difficult year.
Seeing this impact, the Community team would like to help more organizers host even more of these online charity hackathons (do_action events) and Introduction to Open Source workshops in 2021. This post shares some ideas around how the Community team could support do_action and Introduction to Open Source organizers…
do_action events
Based on feedback from the community, do_action events so far have been quite impactful in how they bring participants together to help non-profits establish an online presence – something all the more significant in 2021. Here are some ideas on how the community can support do_action events:
- Improve the online do_action event documentation: The documentation on online do_action events can be expanded to include tips on remote collaboration, using collaboration tools, remote project management etc.
- Outreach for do_action events: This is something the Community team is equipped to do, with mentions in the Make blogs, Meetup newsletters, and news posts. The Marketing team could also be very helpful with this effort.
- Mentorship: Deputies and WordCamp mentors could mentor do_action organizers.
- Technology changes to the doaction.org website such as:
- Adding doaction.org to Google Workspace / G Suite (so that organizers can use custom emails)
- Modifying the do action event date section to accommodate multiple days.
- Moving the do_action application to doaction.org
P.S. If you would like to organize a do_action event, please send in your application through this form.
Introduction to Open-source workshops
Introduction to Open Source workshops help spread knowledge and understanding of the open web and open source. They have also been instrumental in onboarding new contributors to WordPress. With the Learn WordPress workshops on Introduction to Open-source, meetup groups could host a watch party of the recorded workshop, or organize a discussion group. Here are some ideas for organizing Introduction to Open-source workshops in 2021:
- Community members could host Introduction to Open-source workshop discussion groups in the Learn WordPress meetup group.
- Lesson plans for the Introduction to Open-source workshops are available! Any meetup group can plan their own open-source workshop based on the lesson plans.
- Meetup groups across the world are also encouraged to organize an Introduction to WordPress discussion group (based on the Learn WordPress workshop on Introduction to Open-source) as part of their meetup (it does not need any prior approval).
Organizers can feature these workshops and discussion groups in the WordPress foundation blogs by reaching out to the community team. Since Open-source workshops are online, there is no cost involved in organizing them, but organizers can always request paid zoom accounts for their event.
Proposed Goals
Because charity hackathons and Introduction to Open Source Workshops benefit WordPress communities and beyond, I’d like to propose some goals around hosting these events:
- There were 4 do_action events in 2020. Let’s aim for at least 8 events in 2021!
- Organize at least 12 discussion groups based on the Introduction to Open-source workshop in 2021, held in the Learn WordPress meetup group.
Request for Feedback
I would love to hear suggestions and feedback community deputies and members!
- Do you have any suggestions, changes, or additions to the proposed goals?
- Can you share any ideas that you may have on improving do_action events and Introduction to WordPress workshops?
- Do you have ideas for any new events that can be organized by the WordPress Foundation in 2021?
- Would you be interested in helping to implement suggestions for supporting organizers of these events??
Please share your thoughts in the comments by January 25, 2021 (Monday).
Thank you once again for all you do to support the WordPress community in these tough times!
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The following people contributed to this document: @andreamiddleton @angelasjin