Community Infrastructure Assignment

[AbhilashKotha]

There are many things that we can start doing in terms of infrastructure to help the community. I am listing below the top two things that I think are important,

1. Setting up a developer documentation website

Plan of Action: We can create a separate website and have a dedicated section to have comprehensive developer documentation. This section will include installation guides, API references, and tutorials for contributors. We can organize regular documentation-related sessions to encourage community members to contribute to improving documentation.

As per the Open Source Guide by GitHub (https://opensource.guide/), well-maintained documentation is essential for attracting and retaining contributors. It makes it easier for newcomers to understand the project and lowers the barrier to entry for potential contributors. The website can be a very good example of what we are trying to do and also has very good suggestions for the same.

2. Implementing a Community Forum.

Plan of Action: Though we have a GitHub discussions forum currently, We can set up a community forum using a platform like Discourse or NodeBB, accessible from our project website. This forum will serve as a central hub for discussions, questions, and feedback from users and contributors alike. We can designate a community member to ensure a positive and respectful environment. Additionally, we can create separate sections for different topics like general discussions, technical support, and feature requests to keep discussions organized.

There are many places from where we can draw the inspiration but one such thing I noticed is from The Ubuntu community's discourse forum (https://discourse.ubuntu.com/). It is an excellent example of how such a forum can facilitate discussions and contribute to the growth of an open-source project.

[vivek50399]

Implementing a Comprehensive Community Recognition Program, I think this would be one of the Important priority for creating infrastructure to foster community around this project. This program will aim to recognize and appreciate contributions from all community members, irrespective of their roles, backgrounds, or the nature of their contributions. By valuing and celebrating diverse contributions, the community will be encouraged to stay engaged and actively participate in the project.

Plan of Action: Develop diverse recognition categories for various contributions. Use a mix of qualitative and quantitative assessment methods. Engage with members to understand their passions and interests. Provide timely recognition, involve the community, and consider peer awards for a stronger sense of belonging for Implementing a Comprehensive Community Recognition Program.

Link for Justification: open source meetup

[vivekanandareddy-ponugoti]

Implementing Regular Virtual Meetups:

Plan of Action: We can organize regular virtual meetups, such as webinars, workshops, or Q&A sessions, where community members can interact directly with the core developers, share their ideas, ask questions, and receive updates about the project's progress. These meetups can be hosted on platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams and announced through our project website and social media channels. Recording sessions for those unable to attend in real-time can also help broaden participation. Link for Justification: The importance of virtual meetups in fostering community engagement is emphasized in this article by The Community Roundtable: https://communityroundtable.com/what-we-do/research/the-value-of-virtual-events-and-meetups-for-community/

[praneethreddy9]

Implementing Mentorship Programmes:

Creating a healthy community necessitates welcoming immigrants and assisting them in successfully integrating. By establishing mentorship programmes, we can ensure that newcomers receive assistance and support from experienced community members, resulting in a more seamless onboarding process.

Plan of Action: Create a mentorship programme in which experienced contributors volunteer to guide and mentor beginners. Match mentors and mentees based on shared interests or skill sets. Set up regular check-ins and support channels for mentees to express questions and seek help.

Justification: The Drupal community's mentorship programme (https://www.drupal.org/community/mentoring) indicates the favourable influence of mentorship on community growth. It assists newcomers in developing confidence, making relationships, and contributing effectively to the project.

[rdonadula]

Community Discussion Forum Plan: Establish an online discussion forum where community members can ask questions, share insights, and engage in discussions related to the project. Platforms like Discourse or Reddit's community-specific subreddits can be considered. We'll appoint moderators from within the community to ensure a positive and informative environment. Justification: The Mozilla Developer Network's article on "Building Community Through Discussion Forums" https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/MDN/Contribute highlights how discussion forums provide a space for knowledge exchange and foster collaboration within a project's community.

[pavan6135]

Contributor Onboarding and Engagement

Plan of Action: Developing a comprehensive contributor onboarding process is essential to welcome new community members and engage them effectively. This process can include creating a designated section on the project website with clear instructions for getting started, setting up development environments, and finding beginner-friendly tasks. Additionally, creating a mentorship system where experienced contributors guide newcomers through their initial contributions can foster a sense of belonging and support.

Justification: The Mozilla Open Leadership Training Series emphasizes the importance of effective onboarding for new contributors. A well-structured onboarding process can help community members understand the project's goals, codebase, and workflow, leading to more meaningful contributions.

Mozilla Open Leadership Training Series

By implementing a comprehensive contributor onboarding process, we can ensure that new community members feel welcomed and equipped to contribute effectively to our project. This approach aligns with the principles of open source collaboration, where inclusivity and support are key to building a thriving community.