Contributing to This Wiki - Revision history

BethWeiss at 01:17, 4 June 2026

2026-06-04T01:17:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:17, 4 June 2026
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	The Local Group Toolkit is currently in a pilot phase.		The Local Group Toolkit is currently in a pilot phase.

	~~A future contribution process will allow members to suggest:~~		During the pilot, content is maintained by the Toolkit team.

	* Updates to existing pages		The pilot includes evaluating how content is created, reviewed, maintained, and potentially contributed by members.
	* New topics and content
	* Examples, ~~templates~~, and ~~samples~~
	* Additional resources and best practices

	~~Until that process is available, content is maintained~~ by ~~the Toolkit team~~.

BethWeiss: /* Contributing Content */

2026-06-04T00:59:46Z

Contributing Content

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:59, 4 June 2026
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	~~== Contributing Content ==~~

	The Local Group Toolkit is currently in a pilot phase.		The Local Group Toolkit is currently in a pilot phase.

BethWeiss at 00:59, 4 June 2026

2026-06-04T00:59:29Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= Contributing to This Wiki =
+== Contributing Content ==
-== Purpose ==
+The Local Group Toolkit is currently in a pilot phase.
-The goal is to make it easy to add useful content while keeping the wiki clear, practical, and organized.
+A future contribution process will allow members to suggest:
-== Guiding Principle ==
+* Updates to existing pages
-Contribute in ways that help others succeed more easily.
+* New topics and content
-Small, practical improvements are more valuable than large, complex additions.
+Until that process is available, content is maintained by the Toolkit team.

BethWeiss: /* Purpose */

2026-04-08T23:35:21Z

Purpose

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:35, 8 April 2026
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	The goal is to make it easy to add useful content while keeping the wiki clear, practical, and organized.		The goal is to make it easy to add useful content while keeping the wiki clear, practical, and organized.

	~~---~~

	== Guiding Principle ==		== Guiding Principle ==

BethWeiss: restructured

2026-03-25T14:44:08Z

restructured

Show changes

BethWeiss: /* Guiding Principle */ Added what belongs

2026-03-25T14:40:33Z

Guiding Principle: Added what belongs

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:40, 25 March 2026
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	Small, practical improvements are more valuable than large, complex additions.		Small, practical improvements are more valuable than large, complex additions.
			== What Belongs in This Toolkit ==

			This toolkit is designed to be practical, flexible, and easy to use.

			Include:

			* Step-by-step processes
			* Templates and examples
			* Best practices and lessons learned
			* Guidance that can be adapted across Local Groups

			Avoid:

			* Copying full policies (link instead)
			* Describing only one “correct” way to do something
			* Overly detailed or rarely used processes
			* Content that assumes prior knowledge

			When in doubt, ask:
			''Would this help a new volunteer succeed more quickly?''

	== Who Can Contribute ==		== Who Can Contribute ==

BethWeiss: Restructured

2026-03-25T14:08:05Z

Restructured

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:08, 25 March 2026
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	The goal is to make it easy to add useful content while keeping the wiki clear, practical, and organized.		The goal is to make it easy to add useful content while keeping the wiki clear, practical, and organized.

			== Guiding Principle ==
			Contribute in ways that help others succeed more easily.

			Small, practical improvements are more valuable than large, complex additions.

	== Who Can Contribute ==		== Who Can Contribute ==

	Anyone with relevant experience or insight can contribute:		Anyone with relevant experience or insight can contribute:

	* Local Group officers		* Local Group officers
	* Volunteers		* Volunteers
Line 13:		Line 20:
	If something would have helped you, it will likely help someone else.		If something would have helped you, it will likely help someone else.

	== ~~How to Contribute~~ ==		== Key Actions ==

			=== Start Small ===

	~~=== 1. Start Small ===~~
	You don’t need to write a full page.		You don’t need to write a full page.

	~~Good contributions include:~~		{\| class="wikitable"
	* Improving a sentence ~~for clarity~~		! Type of Contribution !! Example
	* Adding a helpful ~~tip~~		\|-
	* Sharing a template or example		\| Improve clarity \|\| Rewrite a sentence to be easier to understand
	* Fixing outdated information		\|-
			\| Add a tip \|\| Include a helpful suggestion from experience
			\|-
			\| Share a resource \|\| Add a template, checklist, or example
			\|-
			\| Update content \|\| Fix outdated or unclear information
			\|}

			=== Add Content in the Right Place ===

	~~=== 2. Add Content in the Right Place ===~~
	* Find the most relevant existing page		* Find the most relevant existing page
	* Add your content there when possible		* Add your content there when possible
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	If a page feels too long, consider suggesting a subpage instead.		If a page feels too long, consider suggesting a subpage instead.

	=== 3. Keep It Practical ===		=== Keep It Practical ===

	Focus on content that helps someone take action.		Focus on content that helps someone take action.

	Ask yourself:		Ask yourself:

	* Does this help someone do their role?		* Does this help someone do their role?
	* Is it clear and easy to follow?		* Is it clear and easy to follow?
	* Can other groups use this?		* Can other groups use this?

	=== 4. Use Clear, Simple Formatting ===		=== Use Clear, Simple Formatting ===

	* Use headings to organize content		* Use headings to organize content
	* Use bullet points for readability		* Use bullet points for readability
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	Make it easy to scan.		Make it easy to scan.

	=== 5. Link Instead of Repeating ===		=== Link Instead of Repeating ===
	~~If related content already exists:~~
	* Link to it instead of duplicating it		* Link to existing content instead of duplicating it
	* ~~Keep one~~ “source of truth” ~~per~~ topic		* Maintain a single “source of truth” for each topic
			=== Share Real Examples ===

	~~=== 6. Share Real Examples ===~~
	Examples are highly valuable:		Examples are highly valuable:

	* Sample emails		* Sample emails
	* Checklists		* Checklists
	* Processes that worked well		* Processes that worked well

	~~If possible, include~~ context for when and why something works.		Include context for when and why something works, when possible.

			=== Be Flexible, Not Prescriptive ===

	~~=== 7. Be Flexible, Not Prescriptive ===~~
	Local Groups operate differently.		Local Groups operate differently.

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	== When to Create a New Page ==		== When to Create a New Page ==

	Create a ~~new page only if:~~		{\| class="wikitable"
	* The topic is clearly distinct		! Create a New Page If... !! Otherwise...
	* The content would make ~~an existing~~ page too long		\|-
	* It ~~can stand~~ on its own as a useful resource		\| The topic is clearly distinct \|\| Add to an existing page
			\|-
			\| The content would make a page too long \|\| Suggest or create a subpage
			\|-
			\| It stands on its own as a useful resource \|\| Expand existing content
			\|}

	If in doubt, start within an existing page.		If in doubt, start within an existing page.

	== When You’re Unsure ==		== When You’re Unsure ==

	~~If you’re not sure how to contribute:~~

	* Add a draft section and label it clearly		* Add a draft section and label it clearly
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	* Start small — it can always be expanded later		* Start small — it can always be expanded later

	== Common Pitfalls ~~to Avoid~~ ==		== Common Pitfalls ==

	* Adding long, unstructured text		* Adding long, unstructured text
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	* Turning guidance into rigid rules		* Turning guidance into rigid rules
	* Overcomplicating simple ideas		* Overcomplicating simple ideas

			See also:
			* [[Wiki danger zones\|Wiki Danger Zones]]

	== Tone and Approach ==		== Tone and Approach ==
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	You don’t need to contribute something perfect.		You don’t need to contribute something perfect.

			''Small, clear, practical improvements are what make this toolkit valuable over time.''

	=== Litmus Test ===		=== Litmus Test ===

	* Will this help a volunteer solve a problem in the next month?		* Will this help a volunteer solve a problem in the next month?

	~~Small, clear, practical improvements are what make this toolkit valuable over time.~~

	== Related ==		== Related ==

	* [[~~Main Page\|~~Local Group Toolkit]]		* [[Local Group Toolkit]]
			* [[Wiki danger zones\|Wiki Danger Zones]]

BethWeiss: /* Key Takeaway */ Added litmus test and related

2026-03-25T13:21:41Z

Key Takeaway: Added litmus test and related

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:21, 25 March 2026
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	You don’t need to contribute something perfect.		You don’t need to contribute something perfect.

			=== Litmus Test ===

			* Will this help a volunteer solve a problem in the next month?

	Small, clear, practical improvements are what make this toolkit valuable over time.		Small, clear, practical improvements are what make this toolkit valuable over time.

			== Related ==

			* [[Main Page\|Local Group Toolkit]]

BethWeiss: Created

2026-03-25T00:07:57Z

Created

New page

== Purpose ==
This toolkit improves through contributions from volunteers like you.

The goal is to make it easy to add useful content while keeping the wiki clear, practical, and organized.

== Who Can Contribute ==
Anyone with relevant experience or insight can contribute:
* Local Group officers
* Volunteers
* Experienced members
* New volunteers with fresh perspective

If something would have helped you, it will likely help someone else.

== How to Contribute ==

=== 1. Start Small ===
You don’t need to write a full page.

Good contributions include:
* Improving a sentence for clarity
* Adding a helpful tip
* Sharing a template or example
* Fixing outdated information

=== 2. Add Content in the Right Place ===
* Find the most relevant existing page
* Add your content there when possible
* Avoid creating new pages unless needed

If a page feels too long, consider suggesting a subpage instead.

=== 3. Keep It Practical ===
Focus on content that helps someone take action.

Ask yourself:
* Does this help someone do their role?
* Is it clear and easy to follow?
* Can other groups use this?

=== 4. Use Clear, Simple Formatting ===
* Use headings to organize content
* Use bullet points for readability
* Keep paragraphs short
* Avoid large blocks of text

Make it easy to scan.

=== 5. Link Instead of Repeating ===
If related content already exists:
* Link to it instead of duplicating it
* Keep one “source of truth” per topic

=== 6. Share Real Examples ===
Examples are highly valuable:
* Sample emails
* Checklists
* Processes that worked well

If possible, include context for when and why something works.

=== 7. Be Flexible, Not Prescriptive ===
Local Groups operate differently.

* Offer suggestions, not rules
* Avoid “this is the only way” language
* Leave room for variation

== Editing Guidelines ==

* Preserve useful existing content when possible
* Improve clarity rather than rewriting everything
* If making large changes, consider discussing first
* Keep tone consistent: practical, supportive, and neutral

== When to Create a New Page ==

Create a new page only if:
* The topic is clearly distinct
* The content would make an existing page too long
* It can stand on its own as a useful resource

If in doubt, start within an existing page.

== When You’re Unsure ==

If you’re not sure how to contribute:

* Add a draft section and label it clearly
* Ask for feedback from others
* Start small — it can always be expanded later

== Common Pitfalls to Avoid ==

* Adding long, unstructured text
* Duplicating content across pages
* Writing highly specific local information
* Turning guidance into rigid rules
* Overcomplicating simple ideas

== Tone and Approach ==

This toolkit should feel:

* Supportive, not critical
* Practical, not theoretical
* Clear, not overly detailed
* Helpful, not overwhelming

== Key Takeaway ==

You don’t need to contribute something perfect.

Small, clear, practical improvements are what make this toolkit valuable over time.