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= Contributing to This Wiki =
== Purpose ==
== Purpose ==
This toolkit improves through contributions from volunteers like you.
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.
The goal is to make it easy to add useful content while keeping the wiki clear, practical, and organized.
---


== Guiding Principle ==
== Guiding Principle ==
Line 8: Line 12:


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 ==
== What Belongs in This Toolkit ==
This toolkit is designed to be practical, flexible, and easy to use.


Include:
Include:
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* Templates and examples   
* Templates and examples   
* Best practices and lessons learned   
* Best practices and lessons learned   
* Guidance that can be adapted across Local Groups   
* Guidance adaptable across Local Groups   


Avoid:
For what to avoid, see: [[Wiki danger zones|Wiki Danger Zones]]


* Copying full policies (link instead) 
''Litmus test: Would this help a volunteer succeed in the next month?''
* 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 ==


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


* Local Group officers   
* Local Group officers   
Line 38: Line 35:
* New volunteers with fresh perspective   
* New volunteers with fresh perspective   


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


== Key Actions ==
== Key Actions ==


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


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Type of Contribution !! Example
! Type of Contribution !! Example
|-
|-
| Improve clarity || Rewrite a sentence to be easier to understand  
| Improve clarity || Rewrite a sentence   
|-
|-
| Add a tip || Include a helpful suggestion from experience  
| Add a tip || Share a practical suggestion   
|-
|-
| Share a resource || Add a template, checklist, or example  
| Share a resource || Add a template or checklist   
|-
|-
| Update content || Fix outdated or unclear information   
| Update content || Fix outdated information   
|}
|}


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


* Find the most relevant existing page 
* Add to existing pages when possible   
* Add your content there when possible   
* Create new pages only when clearly needed
* Avoid creating new pages unless needed   
* Suggest subpages if content grows  


If a page feels too long, consider suggesting a subpage instead.
=== How to Write Good Content ===


=== Keep It Practical ===
* Keep it practical and actionable 
* Use clear headings and short sections 
* Break up long text into bullets or tables 
* Link instead of duplicating content 
* Offer options, not rigid rules 


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? 
=== 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.
=== Link Instead of Repeating ===
* Link to existing content instead of duplicating it 
* Maintain a single “source of truth” for each topic 
=== Share Real Examples ===
=== Share Real Examples ===
Examples are highly valuable:


* Sample emails   
* Sample emails   
* Checklists   
* Checklists   
* Processes that worked well  
* Processes that worked   
 
Include context for when and why something works, when possible.
 
=== Be Flexible, Not Prescriptive ===
 
Local Groups operate differently.


* Offer suggestions, not rules 
Context makes examples more useful.
* Avoid “this is the only way” language 
* Leave room for variation 


== Editing Guidelines ==
== Editing Guidelines ==


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


== When to Create a New Page ==
== When to Create a New Page ==
Line 119: Line 87:
! Create a New Page If... !! Otherwise...
! Create a New Page If... !! Otherwise...
|-
|-
| The topic is clearly distinct || Add to an existing page   
| Clearly distinct topic || Add to existing page   
|-
|-
| The content would make a page too long || Suggest or create a subpage   
| Makes a page too long || Suggest a subpage   
|-
|-
| It stands on its own as a useful resource || Expand existing content   
| Stands alone as a resource || Expand existing content   
|}
|}


Line 130: Line 98:
== When You’re Unsure ==
== When You’re Unsure ==


* Add a draft section and label it clearly  
* Add a draft section   
* Ask for feedback from others  
* Ask for feedback   
* Start small — it can always be expanded later 
* Start small   
 
== Common Pitfalls ==
 
* Adding long, unstructured text 
* Duplicating content across pages 
* Writing highly specific local information 
* Turning guidance into rigid rules 
* Overcomplicating simple ideas 
 
See also:
* [[Wiki danger zones|Wiki Danger Zones]]
 
== Tone and Approach ==
 
This toolkit should feel:
 
* Supportive, not critical 
* Practical, not theoretical 
* Clear, not overly detailed 
* Helpful, not overwhelming  


== Key Takeaway ==
== Key Takeaway ==
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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.''
''Small, clear, practical improvements are what make this toolkit valuable.''
 
=== Litmus Test ===
 
* Will this help a volunteer solve a problem in the next month?


== Related ==
== Related ==

Revision as of 14:44, 25 March 2026

Contributing to This Wiki

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.

---

Guiding Principle

Contribute in ways that help others succeed more easily.

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

What Belongs in This Toolkit

Include:

  • Step-by-step processes
  • Templates and examples
  • Best practices and lessons learned
  • Guidance adaptable across Local Groups

For what to avoid, see: Wiki Danger Zones

Litmus test: Would this help a volunteer succeed in the next month?

Who Can Contribute

Anyone with relevant experience or insight:

  • Local Group officers
  • Volunteers
  • Experienced members
  • New volunteers with fresh perspective

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

Key Actions

Start Small

Type of Contribution Example
Improve clarity Rewrite a sentence
Add a tip Share a practical suggestion
Share a resource Add a template or checklist
Update content Fix outdated information

Add Content in the Right Place

  • Add to existing pages when possible
  • Create new pages only when clearly needed
  • Suggest subpages if content grows

How to Write Good Content

  • Keep it practical and actionable
  • Use clear headings and short sections
  • Break up long text into bullets or tables
  • Link instead of duplicating content
  • Offer options, not rigid rules

Share Real Examples

  • Sample emails
  • Checklists
  • Processes that worked

Context makes examples more useful.

Editing Guidelines

  • Preserve useful content
  • Improve clarity rather than rewriting everything
  • Discuss large changes when possible
  • Keep tone practical, supportive, and neutral

When to Create a New Page

Create a New Page If... Otherwise...
Clearly distinct topic Add to existing page
Makes a page too long Suggest a subpage
Stands alone as a resource Expand existing content

If in doubt, start within an existing page.

When You’re Unsure

  • Add a draft section
  • Ask for feedback
  • Start small

Key Takeaway

You don’t need to contribute something perfect.

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

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