My highlight for this month would be the virtual celebrations. The organizers have been planning it for a while, and it’s great to see their hard work pay off. The Outreachy team is fantastic and an amazing model of how a great team works.
We had three celebrations on Friday, October 20th, and Saturday, October 21st, to accommodate different time zones, and it was a fantastic choice.
The first celebration began with our Community Manager, Omotola, welcoming everyone and introducing the organizers. I appreciate Omotola’s ability to bring positive and lively energy to any room.
Next, Karen delivered the opening speech on “Outreachy: The journey so far.” I listened to Karen’s speech three times in each celebration and learned something new each time. It’s always amazing to hear Karen talk about how Outreachy started and how it has evolved. I was particularly intrigued by the GNOME pants award – a practical award you can wear. So cool!
One of my favorite segments were the Breakout Rooms. We had two breakout rooms for each celebration, with 5–6 participants in each room. Listening to Outreachy alums, mentors, and coordinators (past and present) discuss their experiences and what they’ve gained from the program was amazing. During the 40 minutes in our breakout rooms, we shared our Outreachy journey, life after, and lessons learned. In everyone’s story, you can find a common thread of how life-changing the program was and still is for them.
We also had a success story segment where Outreachy alums talked about their journeys and achievements. Listening to the alums talk about how they found Outreachy and what it means for them was really inspiring. The Outreachy impact goes beyond just learning skills; it’s also about the confidence you gain from being a part of an amazing community that genuinely cares about your growth.
The last segment was Anna and me talking about becoming Outreachy mentors and advocates. Anna shared their Outreachy journey and how they promoted the program at their college by giving out fliers. Listening to Anna is always a delight. I also talked about my journey from being an applicant to an intern and then a mentor. I emphasized the small ways I had started advocating for Outreachy before officially becoming a mentor.
Afterward, we all said our goodbyes and thank-yous. Thanks to the entire Outreachy team for the wonderful celebration, and a big thank you to the Outreachy community for showing up and showing out.
One more thing: I’ve learned some interesting Outreachy facts thanks to Karen’s messages in the meeting chat. Anytime, anywhere, I’m up for an unplanned Outreachy trivia game.
Tilda's Thoughts 