Welcome to the official blog of the community/outreach team for the WordPress open sourceOpen SourceOpen Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL. project!
This team oversees official events, mentorship programs, diversity initiatives, contributor outreach, and other ways of growing our community.
If you love WordPress and want to help us do these things, join in!
Getting Involved
We use this blog for policy debates, project announcements, and status reports. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to comment on posts and join the discussion.
You can learn about our current activities on the Team Projects page. These projects are suitable for everyone from newcomers to WordPress community elders.
You can use our contact form to volunteer for one of our projects.
Communication
We have Office HoursOffice HoursDefined times when the Global Community Team are in the #community-events Slack channel. If there is anything you would like to discuss – you do not need to inform them in advance.You are very welcome to drop into any of the Community Team Slack channels at any time. four times a week in the #community-events channel on Slack: Mondays & Wednesdays 22:00 UTC, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 UTC.
Events WidgetWidgetA WordPress Widget is a small block that performs a specific function. You can add these widgets in sidebars also known as widget-ready areas on your web page. WordPress widgets were originally created to provide a simple and easy-to-use way of giving design and structure control of the WordPress theme to the user.
Hello to all our DeputiesDeputyCommunity Deputies are a team of people all over the world who review WordCamp and Meetup applications, interview lead organizers, and generally keep things moving at WordCamp Central. Find more about deputies in our Community Deputy Handbook., WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. organizers, MeetupMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. wranglers, and WordPress Community builders! You were probably hard at work this weekend. Tell us what you got accomplished in our #weekly-update!
As you know, there’s a new version of WordPress coming soon. This update brings some exciting features your way. As we get closer to the major releaseMajor ReleaseA set of releases or versions having the same major version number may be collectively referred to as “X.Y” -- for example version 5.2.x to refer to versions 5.2, 5.2.1, and all other versions in the 5.2. (five dot two dot) branch of that software. Major Releases often are the introduction of new major features and functionality. of WordPress 5.9, we’d love the support of community members and meetupMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. organizers like you to spread the word!
As with all releases, WordPress 5.9 can benefit from your help in the following ways:
Plan release-focused meetupsMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. to share the latest features in 5.9 with your community.
Email your local meetup groups to inform members about the upcoming release.
Individually test 5.9 release features, share your feedback, blog about release features, and amplify them on social media.
Your testing and feedback of WordPress 5.9 Beta 2 (and the Release CandidateRelease CandidateA beta version of software with the potential to be a final product, which is ready to release unless significant bugs emerge. when we get there) is important and appreciated. Or you can use the Beta Testing Plugin and be the first to see all new features in action.
1. Experience the Power of Full Site Editing
WordPress 5.9 marks the first version of Full Site Editing in WordPress coreCoreCore is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress.. This version includes holistic support for block themes. You can find available blockBlockBlock is the abstract term used to describe units of markup that, composed together, form the content or layout of a webpage using the WordPress editor. The idea combines concepts of what in the past may have achieved with shortcodes, custom HTML, and embed discovery into a single consistent API and user experience. themes under the “full site editing” tag in the Theme repository.
Additionally, 5.9 comes with more than 30 theme blocks, such as the navigation editor, site logo, and site title, that allow you to build and customize all parts of your website.
The introduction of block themes is only the beginning. We plan to add more exciting features in future releases to build on this solid foundation.
What’s Exciting about Block Themes?
You can now personalize your entire website using blocks. Block themes are endlessly customizable—your imagination is your only limit. Once you’ve installed a block theme, you can modify it through the site editor and the styles interface. The components of block themes include its block templates, block template parts, and the custom styling offered through theme.jsonJSONJSON, or JavaScript Object Notation, is a minimal, readable format for structuring data. It is used primarily to transmit data between a server and web application, as an alternative to XML.. Learn more about block themes in our documentation.
Say Hello to Twenty Twenty-Two, the New Default Block Theme.
To usher in the next generation of themes, we’ve released the new default theme of WordPress 5.9–Twenty Twenty-Two. The inspiration behind its subtle design is the playful yet resilient nature of birds.
This default theme is among the first to be built with Full Site Editing at its heart, and it requires minimal CSSCSSCSS is an acronym for cascading style sheets. This is what controls the design or look and feel of a site.. By using the incredible power of patterns, you can customize this theme in countless ways without needing numerous skills.
2. Change the Look of Your Site With the New Styles Interface and theme.json Enhancements
If you liked theme.json, you would be happy to know that the new styles graphic interface provides greater global design control.
You can now completely customize the styles on your site, changing the look of different elements and blocks. Edit everything, from the typography and the colors of the button blocks, such as block-specific styles, to the layout on your site—all from the same interface without switching themes.
Moreover, 5.9 sees various improvements to theme.json, such as support for child themes, increased duotone support, and new settings and styles, to name a few.
3. Make Your Site Stand Out with a Multitude of Design Tools
With more design-focused tools, WordPress 5.9 provides you with the power to tailor your content precisely the way you want it; Size your featured imageFeatured imageA featured image is the main image used on your blog archive page and is pulled when the post or page is shared on social media. The image can be used to display in widget areas on your site or in a summary list of posts. a certain way, evenly space a menu, or modify your paragraph to a different size. Moreover, you can customize these design tools site-wide rather than each block individually with the styles interface.
From layout control, block gap, typography options, border support, and dimension controls to enhanced cropping tools and duotone filters—all these features are here to help you get your site just right.
4. Customize Your Site’s Navigation Using the New Navigation Block
Accessibility is at the center of the new Navigation block, with full keyboard navigation support and a responsive option with the ease of an on/off toggle.
The Navigation block enables you to control your menu’s design, location, and function from a single interface.
5. Leverage Patterns to Build Your Site Efficiently
Patterns will continue to be a gamechanger in helping you create your site. With patterns, you don’t have to build each site page from scratch—save your basic block groups and personalize the individual blocks to suit your needs!
In WordPress 5.9, you can create simple blocks containing images, lists, and paragraphs, or complex full-page layouts with overlapping content.
Browse from a library of existing reusable patterns or build your own. You can also share your creations by submitting your very own patterns to the pattern directory with open submissions.
The possibilities are limitless. Build a new mailing list call to action (CTA) with a few clicks or change entire site sections without switching themes. These enhancements simplify site creation, editing, and management, saving you plenty of time and effort.
6. Enjoy User Interface and Performance Improvements
Version 5.9 includes important enhancements to the user interface and platform performance.
With new updates such as rich URLURLA specific web address of a website or web page on the Internet, such as a website’s URL www.wordpress.org previews, refined settings modal, intuitive icons and animations, and the lazy rendering of search results and patterns, you can enjoy better responsiveness and user experience.
Try the improved publishing flow, List View (including a drag and drop capability with collapsible sections), and a new language switcher, among other updates. The List View has undergone improvements in performance and accessibilityAccessibilityAccessibility (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) as well.
Share Your Feedback about WordPress 5.9
Now that you know about the features in the pipeline, we hope you’re as excited as we are.
What do you like about this release? What have you planned for sharing WordPress 5.9 with your local meetup group? Are you organizing an outreach meetup, or would you be interested in scheduling a testing sprint? Let us know in the comments.
From number of countries: 3 Costa Rica, Mexico, and Nicaragua
Languages: Spanish and English. We had two live translators: One doing verbal translations live and the other doing text on the Zoom chat.
Testimonials
Thanks a lot for the super useful information that was shared in the event, I feel that now with the right tools I will be able to replicate this in my beloved country (Mexico) and bring more women into tech who also want to succeed in their careers by learning the right tools to communicate and be more confident about their skills.
— Maryl Gonzalez, Co-Founder @ The App Chefs, Guadalajara, Mexico
Thanks to Ericka and Jill for the great job that you have done. Thank you for all of the organization and community work you have put into this. It’s great to see you collecting the fruits of your work. It is extremely important for women to support women. I’m very happy to see this community of women together in person and help each other grow. This workshop initiative is a very important thing for us.
— Gabriela Salas
Allyship Program
Allyship for WordPress event organizers AMER/EMEA, November 17, 2021
We are running the new Allyship program in quarterly cohorts. This was the first workshop for the second cohort.
It was an interactive watch party of the “Creating a Welcoming and Diverse Space Part 1” on Learn WordPress. We paused the video for doing exercises in the workbook and having discussions.
Number who attended: 9 From number of cities: 9 From number of countries: 6 (Bangladesh, Canada, Luxembourg, South Africa, Sweden, and United States)
Self-reported increase in preparedness to help create more inclusive WordPress event after taking the workshop: 52%
Testimonials
“Diversity is something that needs to be shared more and discussed more. It helps people understand differences and embrace the true meaning of inclusivity. That is why I highly recommend this workshop to everyone to attend at least once and see how it can help your perspective towards bringing awareness to your WordPress community.”
— Earl Cruz, Customer Success Manager, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
This workshop was super helpful for me. After the workshop, I left with so many ideas on how I can make my events more diverse and accessible.
— Farhan Sabir – Web Developer – Växjö, Sweden
Diverse Speakers Program
Diverse Speaker Workshop Southern to Southeast Asia, November 27, 2021
“How to Own Your Expertise & Start Speaking at WordPress Events”
Number who attended: 3 From number of cities: 3 From number of countries: 2 (Indonesia, and Zimbabwe)
Languages: English and Indonesian. Thank you to @devinmaeztri for translating back and forth for one of the attendees from Indonesia.
Self-reported increase in public speaking confidence after taking the workshop: 27%
Diverse Speaker Support Program
We have set up a brand-new SlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/. channel, diverse-speaker-support, in the Make WordPress Slack for past participants of our Diverse Speaker workshops to:
Network
Workshop talks with each other and with mentorsMentorSomeone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues.
Find out about WordPress speaking opportunities from WordPress MeetupsMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. and WordCamps
Number of past #WPDiversity Workshop participants who joined in November: 5
Thank you
A lot of people contribute to making these workshops successful. Thank you to each and every one!
If you are holding a WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. in 2022, or looking for more speakers for your WordPress MeetupMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. this coming year, we would like to help you get more great speakers. Please get in touch with @jillbinder on the WordPress Slack and we will arrange a #WPDiversity speakers workshop for you.
went over highlights from our November 2021 results (post coming soon)
celebrated our numbers and testimonials of 2021 (post coming soon)
talked about doing end-of-the-year self reviews
@webcommsat let us know about some upcoming changes to the Marketing team, and that it won’t affect the document that @katiejrichards is putting together about communication between Marketing and #WPDiversity.
This was our last meeting of the year. Next one on the second Wednesday of January 2022.
Hello to all our DeputiesDeputyCommunity Deputies are a team of people all over the world who review WordCamp and Meetup applications, interview lead organizers, and generally keep things moving at WordCamp Central. Find more about deputies in our Community Deputy Handbook., WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. organizers, MeetupMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. wranglers, and WordPress Community builders! You were probably hard at work this weekend. Tell us what you got accomplished in our #weekly-update!
The Community Team bi-weekly meeting is happening today. The meeting is meant for all contributors on the team and everyone who is interested in taking part in some of the things our team does. Feel free to join us, even if you are not currently active in the team!
Below is a preliminary agenda for the meeting. If you wish to add things you’d like bring to into discussion, comment below or reach out to team reps @sippis or @kcristiano. It does not need to be a blog post yet, the topic can be discussed during the meeting nevertheless. We use the same agenda for both meetings.
DeputyDeputyCommunity Deputies are a team of people all over the world who review WordCamp and Meetup applications, interview lead organizers, and generally keep things moving at WordCamp Central. Find more about deputies in our Community Deputy Handbook. / MentorMentorSomeone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. / Contributor check-ins
What have you been doing and how is it going? What you got accomplished after the last meeting? Are there any blockers? Can other team members help you in some way?
Opportunity to bring things into discussions that weren’t on the meeting agenda and if anyone has something they would like to share with the team. If you have a topic in mind before the meeting, please add it into the comments of this post.
Hope to see you on Thursday, either on Asia-Pacific / EMEA or Americas friendly version of the meeting!
Hello to all our DeputiesDeputyCommunity Deputies are a team of people all over the world who review WordCamp and Meetup applications, interview lead organizers, and generally keep things moving at WordCamp Central. Find more about deputies in our Community Deputy Handbook., WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. organizers, MeetupMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. wranglers, and WordPress Community builders! You were probably hard at work this weekend. Tell us what you got accomplished in our #weekly-update!
An attendee of the Empowering Women Speakers in India workshop in September 2021 spoke for the first time at a WordPress Bengaluru meetupMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. on Saturday.
Another attendee of one of our Diverse Speaker workshops in 2020 has become an avid speaker in 2021 and attributes our workshop as one of the things that helped her get there.
The Diverse Speaker channel had 19 past workshop attendees join in October. [I reported 17 in the meeting. Nineteen is the correct number.]
Allyship workshop last week: 9 participants from 6 countries. Increase in score coming soon.
@wpfangirl needs to start planning 2022 meetupsMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook., so is going to jump in the #diverse-speaker-support channel and see who is looking for opportunities.
@heyearl made the great suggestion that we share our team’s links and resources with new volunteers so that they can have a go to list of where to follow our activities
We have workshops for people from underrepresented communities in WordPress in November 2021 and December, 2021. Please join us and please help us spread the word!
If you are a MeetupMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. or WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. organizer, please invite your community to either of these events to help you have a larger speaker pool — especially speakers from underrepresented groups.
How to Own Your Expertise & Start Speaking at WordPress Events #WPDiversity
Does the thought of speaking at one of our WordPress MeetupsMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. or WordCamps intrigue you? Do you identify as a person from a marginalized and underrepresented group (in terms of gender, race, class, caste, sexuality, ability, age, etc.) who is thinking about speaking at a WordPress Meetup or WordCamp in the Philippines, India, Indonesia, or other nearby timezone? Do you think you don’t know or have anything worth speaking about?
This workshop is for you!
This interactive watch party workshop will be held in English.
We are holding the same workshop for two areas:
Southeast to Southern Asia
Saturday, November 27, 2021 0700H-0830H UTC / 1500H-1630 GMT+8 / 1230H-1400H IST
State of the WordState of the WordThis is the annual report given by Matt Mullenweg, founder of WordPress at WordCamp US. It looks at what we’ve done, what we’re doing, and the future of WordPress. https://wordpress.tv/tag/state-of-the-word/. used to be an in person event at WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. US and was limited to attendees at the camp. But due to the pandemic, the event will be streamed online this year. As a result, millions of WordPress fans worldwide have the opportunity to join the event live, interact with each other, and even ask Matt questions directly.
An online State of the Word also offers an excellent opportunity for MeetupMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. organizers to revitalize their meetup groups and spread the buzz by bringing people together for State of the Word.
We encourage Meetup organizers worldwide to (safely) host a State of the Word 2021 watch party for your meetup groups—read this handbook to learn more.
Why should you host a watch party?
Organizing a watch party will be a perfect way to bring your group members together and to build excitement after two difficult pandemic years, especially if your group has not had a chance to meet in a while. In addition, it will be an excellent opportunity to build engagement amongst your community members after a complex year.
By broadcasting it to your group members, you are encouraging them to stay updated on the latest happenings in the WordPress world. What’s more, your community members also get a chance to interact with WordPress lovers worldwide and ask their questions directly to Matt Mullenweg!
How can you organize a State of the Word watch party for your meetup group?
If State of the Word is happening at an odd hour in your timezone, you can still organize a watch party by organizing a replay of live stream at a date/time that is convenient for your group.
Online State of the Word Watch Party
The simplest way to organize an online watch party is to schedule an online event for your WordPress Meetup group following these instructionsand add the State of the Word YouTube streaming link (available shortly on wordpress.orgWordPress.orgThe community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org/) directly on your Meetup.com page. For a more interactive event, you can schedule an online event meeting using tools like Zoom and use it to broadcast the State of the Word stream, with the help of screen sharing. Doing so will allow your meetup attendees to interact with each other over video, audio, and chat as they listen to State of the Word. Learn more about how to organize an online State of the Word watch party.
If your region allows in person events and meets the guidelines for in person WordPress events (if vaccines/testing are freely available), you can organize an in person watch party (for fully vaccinated; recently tested; or recently recovered folks) as well! All you need is a venue that has a large TV screen (that can stream YouTube) or a projector with a decent audio system.
If you are organizing an in person watch party,fill out this formso that we can ship you some swag for your meetup group to celebrate! Deadline: November 30, 2021
Help us promote State of the Word!
Even if you are unable to organize a watch party for State of the Word, help us promote State of the Word by emailing your attendees about the event (if you are a Meetup organizer). Here are some email templates that could be useful!
Join a State of the Word Watch Party near you!
We have compiled a list of State of the Word Watch Parties around the world. If you don’t see a watch party in your region listed here, check this page on Meetup.com to see if your local WordPress group is organizing one. If not, why don’t you consider organizing a watch party on your own? 🙂
We’ve put together a few resources to help you schedule your watch party:
Here’s a nifty handbook to help you schedule your online or in person meetup.
Have questions for Matt? Email them to us at: [email protected] OR simply ask your question in the livechat during the live stream.
Finally, don’t forget to share on social media about your watch party events using the hashtag #StateOfTheWord!
Is your group planning a State of the Word watch party? Let us know in the comments or simply drop an email to [email protected] to let us know. We are happy to help you in any way we can, and we cannot wait to see what you come up with on December 14!