PROCESS CHANGE: Monthly Community Hangout Calls

[prajjwalyd]

This proposal is based on one of the recommendations for enhancing the contributor experience in Knative, as outlined in the Contributor Experience Research 2024

Monthly Community Hangout Calls

• While formal working group meetings are essential for project progress, hangout calls offer a more relaxed setting for networking and socializing, fostering stronger community bonds.
• Organize interactive activities such as trivia, Q&A sessions, and games. These activities can be both fun and educational, encouraging more relaxed and informal interactions.
• These sessions provide an opportunity for individuals to share their experiences, tips, and tricks, enriching the community's collective knowledge base.

Why is it needed?

• Fostering Community Bonds: Interactive and informal activities are crucial for building a sense of community. They provide a space where contributors can get to know each other beyond the scope of their work, fostering a more supportive and collaborative environment.
• Enhancing Engagement: Monthly hangouts can keep contributors engaged and motivated. By offering a variety of activities and discussions, these sessions can cater to different interests and needs, making the community more dynamic and inclusive.
• Encouraging Casual Interactions: Formal meetings can sometimes be intimidating, especially for new contributors. Informal hangouts create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable participating and sharing their thoughts.
• Building Relationships: Strong relationships within the community lead to better teamwork and collaboration. When contributors feel connected and valued, they are more likely to remain active and committed to the project!

Implementation:

• Scheduling: Set a regular schedule (e.g., the last Friday of every month) for consistency. Use community polls to choose the most convenient time for the majority of contributors across different time zones.
• Promotion: Publicize the hangout sessions through multiple channels, including Slack, community forum, and social media, to ensure maximum participation.
• Duration: The calls should be sufficiently long, at least one hour, to allow for meaningful interaction and a variety of activities.
• Themed Activities: Each call can have a theme and pre-planned list of interactive activities.