Description
Many Operations Issues related to Slack channel updates remain open. All of the open issues have either:
- received community buy-in, vote and consent but have not been implemented; or
- are now moot due to subsequent changes which have already been implemented.
Description
Following are the open GitHub Operations Functions related to channels/channel description which have been discussed, received community buy-in, were voted on and given consent:
Private Channels #222
Move Jobs opportunity to #job-seekers, and change jobs-and-vols to volunteer-opportunities #178
Restrict creation of private channels #153
Review default channel descriptions and contact #138
Problem
Existing channel descriptions:
- Create confusion among new members
- Do not reflect the values and culture of the community
- Are front-facing and linked to via the website, the Toolkit & are referenced in New Member Onboarding sessions
Examples:
- We have two channels for job opportunities #jobs-and-vols & #job-seekers
- Channel topic for #ask-the-team sets up a hierarchy. Cultural norms have more appropriately turned the channel into a general place where folks can ask questions. It says:
Talk with the board, staff, and project leaders about anything related to ProgCode’s mission or strategy.
- Channel description for #ask-the-team is off-topic. It says:
We are building a team to make ProgCode a strong and sustainable network.
- Channel description for #the-news-room is somewhat dictatorial and says:
Links to breaking news of interest to the community. NO CLICKBAIT ALLOWED! All articles posted by Dan have been at least partially fact-checked. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1coMHvuGf6x6Qn_73SEhOXi_QaoRBM__3Zj6_5TyrmWs/edit#heading=h.5t1m3888o
Benefit
Implementing channel description changes:
- Will reduce confusion in the Slack
- Will better reflect the community's culture and values inside and outside the Slack environment
- Might increase community participation and engagement by reducing intimidation due to existing dictatorial/oppressive language
Plan
- Rename #jobs-and-vols to #volunteer-requests
- Discuss whether #job-seekers is a community channel for people seeking work or a place to post job offers. If the latter, consider changing to #job-opportunities and updating the description
- Change channel topic for #ask-the-team to something reflective of the community culture of service
- Change channel description for #ask-the-team to something on topic
- Change channel description for #the-news-room to something reflective of the community culture of respect and collaboration
- Close Issues Review default channel descriptions and contact #138, Restrict creation of private channels #153, Move Jobs opportunity to #job-seekers, and change jobs-and-vols to volunteer-opportunities #178 & Private Channels #222
Decision Making
Since consent has already been given to the foregoing changes, this issue is intended to notify the community that the foregoing changes will be implemented immediately.