Speakers
Description
When people talk about open source, they usually think it is only commits, pull requests, and code brilliance. While the truth is, code isn’t the whole story. What really keeps open source alive are the ecosystems of care, culture, and community wrapped around it.
Behind every healthy project, there’s a README that introduces the project, Contribution guidelines that invites them in, Communities—local or global—that meets, helps and grows together. Documentation is no different than storytelling where Licensing reflects values and philosophy and diversity and inclusion become the actual foundation of resilience.
This talk challenges the idea that contribution = code. Drawing from real experiences in FOSS projects and community building, we’ll share how we can:
Write documentation that feels like an invitation, not an instruction manual.
Build and sustain local communities (LoCos) that strengthen advocacy and amplify diverse voices.
Design contribution pathways that act like bridges, not walls.
Breathe diversity and inclusion into the DNA of projects, not tack them on as extras.
Treat licensing and governance as tools that empower, not intimidate.
Learning Outcomes
Recognize non-code contributions as critical to FOSS sustainability.
Learn how inclusive documentation and guidelines lower barriers.
Understand strategies for building and supporting diverse local communities.
See licensing and governance as cultural as well as legal choices.
Leave with practical steps to nurture open source as an ecosystem of belonging