On the 26th of July, I attended my very first Sustain Summit in Lagos, Nigeria. Sustain Summit is a one-day conversation for Open Source Software Sustainers. The event is focused on discussions about sustainability in open source. It covers the sustainability of resources and the sustainability of its people.
Omotola extended an invitation to me. She recommended me as a co-facilitator for one of the sessions. The topic was “Interactive Case Studies Sessions: Open Source Programs and Specialized Projects“. This session was focused on discussing the impacts of programs like GSOC, GSOD, Outreachy, Hactoberfest, etc. as a way of increasing contributions. It also explored how sustainability relates to academic and specialized projects that have different needs and users.
This was my first time attending the Sustain Summit, so I was already nervous. Adding the fact that I would be a facilitator added another layer of nerves. Thankfully, the organizers of the event had a very comprehensive guide on what is expected of a facilitator and how to run a session. Omotola was also so helpful in describing the event and how the sessions usually go.
There are about 8–9 groups and about 10–12 persons in each group. Facilitators are expected to discuss their topics with each group for 10 minutes. Facilitators are supposed to be attentive listeners and able to refocus the group when they’re going out of scope. Omotola was my co-facilitator. She took the lead in the first few sessions, and then I used that as a guide for the rest of the sessions.
One of the things that made me very hapy was that Omotola and I didn’t need to introduce Outreachy to the group participants. Everyone was very familiar with Outreachy and the work we do. The participants talked about the unique value programs like Outreachy, GSOC e.t.c bring and why they attract new contributors. Mentorship, Incentives, Contributor onboarding, hands-on experience with real-world projects were some of the points that were brought up.
The second half of our discussion was about sustaining more academic focused projects or specialized projects that require niche skills. How can we ensure that the contributions gained through these programs translate into long-term sustainability for academic and specialized projects?
A lot of amazing points were discussed. One point was keeping good documentation on the project. Another was removing key person dependency by mentoring other contributors to take on more roles and passing knowledge. They also suggested offering incentives. Additionally, creating more awareness about the project was discussed so that more contributors can join the community.
A common thread throughout our conversations with various groups was the importance of Recognition. Contributors appreciate acknowledgement for their valuable contributions to the project. Simple yet meaningful gestures can go a long way in showing contributors that their work is valued. Some of the examples mentioned were:
- Listing contributors’ names in documentation, README files or project releases
- Showcasing their contributions on community channels or social media platforms
For OS contributors, recognition surpasses other incentives in significance. It serves as tangible proof that their efforts matter. Additionally, being appreciated and recognized is a key motivator for contributors to continue their involvement and dedication to the project.
Overall, I found it to be an enlightening discussion about Open Source Sustainability. I missed out on the other sessions because I was a facilitator. I look forward to reading the report on this year’s Sustain Summit to learn more. Till next time!
Tilda's Thoughts 