The WordPress mission to democratize publishing is quite possibly realizing something more. The philosophy behind WordPress, and its Four Freedoms, may be realizing a Fifth Freedom:
– [ ] The freedom to experience a thriving community truly open to everyone through sharing of information about The WordPress Open Source Project at community events sponsored by WordPress enthusiasts [source].
The Four Freedoms have nurtured a community that practices the Code of Conduct outlined in Make WordPress that participants follow. Our community:
– [ ] Should be truly open for everyone
– [ ] Encourage participants to recognize and strengthen our relationships between what we do and the community at large
– [ ] Be considerate, exhibit restraint from demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior and speech, be mindful of our surroundings and fellow participants and participate in an authentic and active way.
– [ ] Agree that intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning behavior is unacceptable
– [ ] Agree there are consequences for this behavior
– [ ] Act by notifying organizers as soon as possible of unacceptable behavior so that consequences are enforced
Today, individuals around the world adhere to this Code of Conduct at community events known as WordPress Meetups and WordCamps.
A realization of a Fifth Freedom would transcend barriers that preclude the inclusion of individuals who want to participant in community event programming but can not/do not.
The WordPress community mirrors many societies that grapple with full participation of all groups beyond the dominant group. Underrepresented groups/minority groups are categorized by racial and ethnic characteristics, gender identity, LGBTQ identity, religion, national origin or are perceived to have divergent physical, cognitive, and emotional characteristics. At times, groups emerge that combine these characteristics and identities.
Underrepresented/minority groups in society frequently face disparities in income that limit their participation in personally valued activities beyond work activities that earn income. This is mirrored in the WordPress community when contributors forgo participation in community events due to income limitations. Participation in events requires a community member to personally pay for travel and lodging expenses or personally network for sponsorships to cover these expenses.
Transparently integrating travel and lodging sponsorships after a Call for Speakers submission selection would breakdown a notable barrier to inclusion that exists for many underrepresented/minority groups around the world – financial costs.
Sponsor Inclusion in Tech
Underrepresented/Minority Speaker Website Registration
– [ ] Join the Under Represented in Tech website
– [ ] Complete #WPDiversity – The Diverse Speaker Workshop
– [ ] Seek out mentorship by presenting at a WordPress Meetup after completing the #DiverseSpeaker Training Program
– [ ] Register on the Sponsor Inclusion in Tech website [under development] after completing all these steps to be entered into a blind sponsorship selection process.
– [ ] Participate in vetting process [verification you completed all steps for registration]
– [ ] Agree to the Code of Conduct
– [ ] Opt in to list your year of participation in a Sponsor Inclusion in Tech public facing document featuring Speakers and Sponsors.
Company/Organization Sponsorship through Website Registration
– [ ] Identify company procurement policies outlining how to sponsor an individual community member’s travel and/or lodging expense.
– [ ] Register on the Sponsor Inclusion in Tech website [under development]
– [ ] Agree to the Code of Conduct
– [ ] Complete the blind selection of a vetted speaker [a speaker who completed all steps for registration]
– [ ] Follow company procurement policies outlining how to pay for an individual community member’s travel and/or lodging expenses
– [ ] Once paired with with a vetted speaker [a speaker who completed all steps for registration], use a designated 3rd party system to pay for travel and lodging so that funding does not exchange hands between your company/organization and Sponsor Inclusion in Tech.
– [ ] Opt in to list your year of participation in a Sponsor Inclusion in Tech public facing document featuring Speakers and Sponsors.
Sponsor Inclusion in Tech is in conversation to launch its website on a sponsored hosting plan with several sponsorship opportunities to be assigned in the sequence of vetted speakers*
Sign-up for Sponsorship here:
Share Your Thoughts in a Comment below.
How will sponsorship impact your decision to apply to speak at a WordCamp?
How will this impact your Meetup community?
How will this impact your WordCamp?
What will this partnership support at your company/organization?
Another Freedom?
The WordPress Open Source Project mission to democratize publishing is quite possibly realizing beyond its Four Freedoms. The philosophy behind The WordPress Open Source Project, and its Four Freedoms, is developing a community that supports volunteer participation and business participation that should be truly open for everyone.
The Standard Set by the Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct can not be enforced without all participants of The WordPress Open Source Project adhering to it. True inclusivity can not be achieved without equity among all groups. The WordPress community has community organizers and the companies/organizations that sponsor their events, affinity groups, and the Community Team of The WordPress Open Source Project all doing the hard work to ensure inclusion of underrepresented/minority groups.
What I Know.
Did the co-founders Mike Little and Matt Mullenweg know that, together, they would create and sustain The WordPress Open Source Project? Did Mike know his presence speaks to how underrepresented/minority groups redefine open source software? Did Matt know he would be a fierce advocate of the Four Freedoms and nurture a Community Team that supports the hard work of community organizers, sponsors, and affinity groups stretching boundaries for diversity and full inclusion? Do community members know all the ways community involvement offers personal, professional, and business fulfillment? Or anticipate the financial costs to speak at WordCamps that require travel and lodging?
What I know is that partnering with Sponsor Inclusion in Tech can assist our Open Source Community, with its mission to democratize publishing, in reducing barriers to the full inclusion of underrepresented/minority speakers – speakers who want to participate in WordCamp programming. (April 10, 2022 @ 22:09:24)
Props
Props to @awarner20 @corymiller303 @lindseyanne @schutzsmith @thisisandrewpalmer @wpfangirl who provided inspiration, encouragement, or insight on how Sponsor Inclusion in Tech and companies/organizations can partner to assist in reducing barriers to the full inclusion of underrepresented/minority speakers who want to participate in WordCamp programming.
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