PROCESS CHANGE: Personalized One-on-One Meetings for New Contributors

[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

Personalized One-on-One Meetings for New Contributors

• Provide new contributors with the option to have one-on-one meetings with trusted community members or maintainers. These meetings should be short and focused, offering personalized support and guidance tailored to the new contributor's needs.
• These initial interactions help establish trust and rapport, making new contributors feel valued and supported. This personal touch can make a significant difference in their comfort level and confidence.
• The goal of these one-on-one meetings is to provide initial support and gradually encourage new contributors to participate more publicly in the community. Over time, as they become more familiar and comfortable, they will be more inclined to engage with a broader group of contributors.

Why is it needed?

• Perception of Limited Community Interaction: New contributors often perceive the community as being comprised of only one or two individuals they are most comfortable with. By facilitating personalized meetings with these 'trusted' members, we can help new contributors expand their network within the community.
• Enhanced Comfort and Engagement: Personalized support helps newcomers feel more comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance. As they build confidence, they are more likely to engage publicly, fostering a more inclusive and active community.
• Expanding Networks: Encouraging interactions with multiple community members helps new contributors get to know more individuals, broadening their support network and enhancing their sense of belonging.

Implementation:

• A contributor reaches out to a maintainer they trust, possibly seeking help or explicitly requesting a one on one meeting.
• While not mandatory, maintainers may also arrange meetings with contributors who seek significant assistance through direct messages.
• Utilize scheduling tools like Calendly to coordinate convenient meeting times for both parties.
• During the initial meeting, maintainers should aim to understand the new contributor’s interests, goals, and immediate challenges. They may also provide an overview of the project and essential resources to facilitate their integration.
• If additional support is needed, schedule follow-up meetings to address further queries and monitor the contributor’s progress. Gradually encourage their participation in public channels and group meetings.
• Maintaining confidentiality throughout these interactions is crucial to ensure contributors feel comfortable sharing their concerns.

[prajjwalyd]

NOTE:
This proposal for personalized one-on-one meetings is a "nice to have" for the Knative community.
We understand that maintainers have a lot of work and might not always have time for this... Some interview participants explicitly asked for it, so we included it in the final report.

If this gets implemented, it's good to mention it to new contributors during their onboarding so they are aware of this 'option'. Also, these meetings are meant to be private between the contributor and the maintainer, so it's also hard to track how well it's working.