Open Web & Community

Drupal's got a social conscience! Now recognized as a Digital Public Good (DPG), Drupal empowers you to build impactful projects that address social challenges and empower communities. This session explores how you can leverage Drupal's features and DPG status to build impactful projects that tackle real-world issues like education, citizen engagement, and environmental sustainability. We'll delve into how Drupal can empower communities and showcase how this expertise can widen your horizons, both in terms of your skillset and potential client base.

In this session, you will:
- Grasp the DPG landscape: Explore the core principles of Digital Public Goods and how Drupal aligns with this mission.
- Unlock social impact potential: Discover the advantages of using Drupal for social projects – affordability, long-term support, and scalability.
- Master Drupal's social toolkit: Delve into features that fuel social interaction and collaboration.
- Build for the future: Discuss best practices for security, content moderation, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

By the end, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to:
- Contribute to positive social change: Leverage Drupal's DPG potential to build projects that empower communities and address social challenges.
- Widen your client base: Attract new customers and projects with your expertise in building impactful social platforms with Drupal.
- Expand your skillset: Master a new and rewarding area of Drupal development, enhancing your professional profile.

In this session, we will demystify the Drupal contribution process, providing developers with the knowledge and tools they need to contribute effectively. Whether you're new to contributing or looking to deepen your involvement, this session will guide you through every step of the way. We will cover how to set up your local environment, find and evaluate issues, contribute code and documentation, and submit your work for review. Additionally, we will discuss best practices, community standards, and ways to ensure your contributions are valuable and recognized.

Session Objectives:

• Understand the various ways to contribute to Drupal, including code, documentation, and community support.
• Learn how to set up a local environment to contribute efficiently.
• Discover how to find and select issues that match your skill level.
• Gain insights into the process of creating and submitting patches or merge requests.
• Explore best practices for contributing to Drupal and engaging with the community.

Problem Statement: 

The Drupal community thrives on collaboration, openness, and innovation. However, ensuring these values are consistently upheld requires strong leadership and active advocacy. Many community members, especially new contributors, may struggle to find their voice or understand how they can contribute effectively.

How I Overcame: 

This session will explore the role of leadership in fostering a strong, inclusive community within Drupal. I will share my experiences in advocating for open web principles and leading by example to inspire others to contribute. By promoting mentorship, collaboration, and open dialogue, I have helped empower others to take ownership of their contributions and drive the community forward.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the importance of leadership in sustaining an open-source community.
• Learn strategies to inspire and empower community members to take active roles.
• Understand the role of advocacy in promoting open web principles.
• Explore ways to mentor and guide new contributors to Drupal.

Target Attendees:

• Drupal Community Members
• Open Source Advocates
• Project Managers and Team Leads
• Developers and Designers passionate about community engagement
• Anyone interested in contributing to Drupal