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

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

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.

Key Actions

Start Small

You don’t need to write a full page.

Type of Contribution	Example
Improve clarity	Rewrite a sentence to be easier to understand
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Update content	Fix outdated or unclear information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

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.

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?

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

Examples are highly valuable:

Sample emails
Checklists
Processes that worked well

Include context for when and why something works, when possible.

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 If...	Otherwise...
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.

When You’re Unsure

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

Common Pitfalls

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.

Litmus Test

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