In March 2021, Josepha introduced the proposal of a WordPress Project Contributor Handbook. This handbook was intended to be an overarching resource and place for policies, best practices, guides and other foundational content related to open-source and the global WordPress project.
Imagine it as a comprehensive map that will guide every contributor through our beloved WordPress landscape.
As the founder and spearhead of the DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) working group, I’m excited to update you on an exciting development: we’ve committed ourselves to a revamp of the Contributor Handbook into the next iteration. This handbook – like every other handbook – is a living document and needs to grow alongside the project and its community.
The Value of a Unified Guide
The new Contributor Handbook aims to be the quintessential resource for everyone in our community. It will provide a bird’s-eye view of where to find key information and how different aspects of our community interconnect. From community engagement rules to technical guidelines, this handbook will cover it all, making your journey as a WordPress contributor clearer and more structured.
Scope
The Contributor Handbook currently includes pages on AccessibilityAccessibility Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility), Privacy Policy, a DEI Statement, the Community Code of Conduct, and Incident Response Team. Pages or parts of documentation that require legal consideration, like the Privacy Policy, will not be included in the scope of this work. Wherever required, the intention is to collaborate with teams that are most familiar with the page, for example, the Community Code of Conduct with the Incident Response Team.
Collaboration Across Teams
Enhancing the handbook is a collaborative effort involving several key teams:
- Community Team: Focusing on integrating community interaction norms and event guidelines.
- Documentation Team: Ensuring that the handbook is comprehensive and easy to navigate.
- Project Leadership: Offering strategic guidance to align the handbook with broader WordPress objectives.
This cross-team collaboration ensures that the handbook serves as a holistic guide to the WordPress ecosystem, tailored to meet the needs of all contributors, new and seasoned alike.
Progress and Acknowledgments
Thank you to @chanthaboune and @angelasjin for the first iteration of the Contributor Handbook, and for suggestions provided by @jeffpaul, @tobifjellner, @dd32, @juliacanzani, @poena, @sereedmedia, @joedolson, @ryelle.
Also thanks to @milana_cap, @j9magayanes, @TantienHime, and @CoachBirgit for their foundational work moving the needle forward at the CloudFest Hackathon. Their efforts led to the creation of a GitHubGitHub GitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged be the repository owner. https://github.com/ repository, which is now officially part of the WordPress organization, thanks to @dd32 and @leogopal. This repository is the new home for our ongoing development and collaboration on the handbook.
Call to Action: We Need Your Voice!
Your involvement is crucial as we refine and enhance the handbook:
- Review and Feedback: Dive into the Contributor Handbook GitHub repository to explore the drafts and contribute your suggestions.
- Join the Discussion: Comment below to discuss how the handbook can better serve as your go-to resource.
Conclusion
Our goal is to not just create a handbook, but to foster a living document that evolves with our community. Your involvement will help mold it into a dynamic resource that reflects the needs and knowledge of all WordPress contributors. Together, let’s build a resource that not only guides, but also inspires and unites us in our shared mission.
Next Steps
- Keep an eye on this blog and our GitHub repositories WordPress/DEIB-Issue-Tracker and Contributor-Handbook for updates and draft reviews.
- Join the conversation in our upcoming DEIB working group meetings every other week Friday in #DEIB-working-group, where we’ll discuss the handbook’s progress and gather more feedback.
We’re committed to making the Contributor Handbook a fundamental tool for everyone in our community. Let’s work together to create a resource that not only informs, but also empowers.
Props to @angelasjin for reviewing and contributing to this announcement post