Announcing ProtoSchool's new local leadership model

[terichadbourne]

Based on the results of our Local Leadership Survey, which polled both present and potential community leaders, we're happy to announce an improved local leadership model for ProtoSchool. The new model reduces the workload on folks who've been leading chapters under the old model while making it easier than ever for newcomers to start hosting ProtoSchool workshops.

The new events page launched today marks a strategic move from a chapter-based community model to an event-based model to create a more scalable system that encourages ProtoSchool content to be presented either one-off or embedded in a variety of existing educational groups, with a lower barrier to entry for event leaders. We'll no longer limit the number of groups in a city that can host ProtoSchool content. We expect these changes to lead to an increase in the number of ProtoSchool workshops hosted and the number of learners discovering our content through a variety of community groups around the globe.

If you're looking to host ProtoSchool workshops, you no longer need to apply to start a chapter. Simply review our event guidelines and submit your qualifying event for inclusion on our website.

Local leaders may incorporate ProtoSchool workshops based on our tutorials into the curriculum of an existing educational group or may host a one-off ProtoSchool workshop at a conference or campus event. There's no commitment to hosting multiple events over time, although we expect that including our content in longstanding Meetups will continue to be the most common approach. (Learn more about the many models of event leadership that can incorporate ProtoSchool workshops.)

With this move away from the chapter model, the ProtoSchool name now refers only to events that meet these guidelines and teach our tutorial content, regardless of who hosts them. It will no longer be used to apply to the groups hosting those events (formerly known as ProtoSchool chapters).

If you've never led a ProtoSchool workshop, the process of getting started is easier than ever! Please visit our readme for full details on how to get started and subscribe to our newsletter for updates for local event leaders.

If you've been leading a ProtoSchool chapter under the old model, please review the readme for a full look at the new event-based model, then check out out our more detailed transition guide for more more context on what's changing and how we expect it to lighten your workload and align with your current approach to sharing our content. Please take special note of the sections on the deprecation of chapter repos (you have a decision to make by April 30) and the new newsletter, which will replace the GitHub group list we've been using to reach you (@ProtoSchool/chapter-organizers).

A note on COVID-19
Due to COVID-19, now may not be the right time to host a ProtoSchool workshop in your community, and we fully expect that our event listings will remain light for the next few months as we all prioritize health and safety. Please exercise an abundance of caution and refer to guidance from the World Health Organization and your local health authorities before scheduling any gatherings. We'll be here to support you with our content when your local community is ready.

Thanks to all who participated in the Local Leadership Survey that guided us to this new community model, and to all those who've hosted ProtoSchool workshops to date. We're excited to have your continued support in growing the ProtoSchool community around the globe.

[nuke-web3]

Very exciting to see this moving forward! Thanks @terichadbourne for leading this initiative. So glad to be part of the ProtoSchool community!

[terichadbourne]

Hello @ProtoSchool/chapter-organizers!

Just a quick follow-up on where we stand in implementing our new local leadership model. You've each been tagged in issues in your own chapter repos highlighting relevant reading materials and next steps. Thanks to everyone who's already responded, either in the issue or via email, with a decision about whether you'd like us to archive or transfer your repo. If you've not yet done so, please take some time this weekend to respond. We'll be archiving and transferring chapter repos as directed next week, and will archive your repo if we haven't heard from you by Monday.

Today we removed the chapters page from our website and are now redirecting visitors to our new events page, where they can find upcoming workshops and learn more about the groups like yours that are hosting them. To add your upcoming workshops (including virtual ones) to our website, please complete this workshop submission form.

We look forward to continuing to work with you to build the ProtoSchool community in the months ahead through our more flexible local leadership model. Future updates for local leaders will be delivered via email; please subscribe to our newsletter today!

[terichadbourne]

Update: All chapter repos have now been archived or transferred as requested by local leaders (archived if no response was received). Please reach out via email with questions.