The entire month of September was focused on our mentoring communities. Much of my time was spent onboarding new communities, supporting existing ones, and making sure that everyone had the resources they needed to participate successfully in Outreachy.
Onboarding is always a critical part of ensuring a smooth round, and this month I worked closely with several communities to guide them through the process. That included clarifying program expectations, answering questions about mentor roles, and walking them through the entire Outreachy program. These conversations were often one-on-one, which gave me the chance to address specific concerns and help communities feel confident moving forward.
I was also involved in the initial application review process. Initial application reviews is one of our most critical stages of the program and sets the tone for the rest of the program cycle. It is challenging work, and we’re very grateful to our volunteer application reviewers who dedicate their time to supporting Outreachy.
Beyond onboarding and review, I focused on supporting communities who are long-time participants of Outreachy. This meant responding to ongoing inquiries, helping coordinators/mentors navigate situations as they arose.
Looking ahead, October will shift toward the contribution stage. I expect much of my time to be devoted to supporting mentors as applicants begin contributing to projects and to continuing to assist communities through that busy period.
Tilda's Thoughts 