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  1. InnerSource Commons
  2. Community
  3. 🧭 Choose Your Own InnerSource …

🧭 Choose Your Own InnerSource Adventure - Start Here

Welcome! We understand everyone comes to a new community with different goals and backgrounds. This is a great place to start!

👇 Select the option that best fits your background and interest level:

🗺️ I’m Simply an InnerSource Explorer (I’m curious about InnerSource but I’m not ready to engage)

👋 I Want to Get Involved (a little!) (I’m interested in potentially engaging, but I don’t have a lot of time)

🌱 I’m a Budding Participant (I’m interested in building loose connections and I have a little more time to engage)

🙋 I’m Ready to Contribute Meaningfully (I have time and skills and would like to make a difference)

🚀 I Want to Shape the Future (I’m here for the long haul)

🤝 I Want to Support the InnerSource Commons Foundation in Other Ways

🙌 I’m Not Sure Where to Start

🗺️ I’m Simply an InnerSource Explorer

You’re curious about InnerSource, but you’re not ready to engage with the community. Start here:

  • Follow Learning Path of videos: This is a series of 1-7 minute videos explaining the basic concepts of InnerSource and the roles of contributors.
  • [Read / Watch: What are Patterns?(https://github.com/InnerSourceCommons/InnerSourcePatterns?tab=readme-ov-file#what-are-innersource-patterns)]: This is a collection of resources that describe the use of patterns to solve common obstacles when implementing the InnerSource approach.
  • Read the Patterns FAQ and Glossary: These are very short documents to help build context around the concept of Patterns
  • Read About The InnerSource Patterns: This is a collection of actual patterns (solutions) that have been tested and developed.
  • Watch Community Call Presentations of interest: These are open to anyone to attend, and they are 25-30 minute presentations by InnerSource practitioners
  • Read / Watch Case Studies: This is a collection of white papers and videos describing how different companies are using InnerSource in their companies.
  • Follow InnerSource Commons on LinkedIn and X: Stay connected with the InnerSource Commons and our latest activities
  • Subscribe to InnerSource Commons Monthly newsletter: Catch up with the InnerSource Commons highlights from the last month

For more in-depth information, consider reading:

👋 I Want to Get Involved (A Little)

You’re interested in potentially engaging, but don’t have much time. Start small:

  • Learn about the InnerSource Commons Foundation
  • Join our Slack (you can ask any questions in the #get-help channel - it’s just for newcomers like you!)
  • Attend, speak at, or facilitate a Community Call
  • Learn about the Groups inside the InnerSource Commons
  • Begin to connect with areas that align most with your interests:

ISPO Working Group

Description: This working group is for those who are managing InnerSource projects, working in established ISPOs, or looking to start an ISPO in their company. They may have experience to share with others, or they may be looking for guidance and advice. This group meets biweekly in APAC and NA Time Zones and collaborates asynchronously on GitHub and Slack.

Patterns Working Group

Description: This working group is for those who are managing InnerSource projects and looking to solve or share solutions to specific obstacles that are often encountered. This group works asynchronously in GitHub and Slack.

Local Communities

Description: These groups are for anyone who would like to connect with other InnerSource enthusiasts within their region. These groups meet in person and connect with each other asynchronously on Slack.

Join Slack and your local channel:

🌱 I’m a Budding Participant

You are interested in building loose connections with the community and have a little more time to engage. Start here:

ISPO Working Group

Description: This working group is for those who are managing InnerSource projects, working in established ISPOs, or looking to start an ISPO in their company. They may have experience to share with others, or they may be looking for guidance and advice. This group meets biweekly in APAC and NA Time Zones and collaborates asynchronously on GitHub and Slack.

Patterns Working Group

Description: This working group is for those who are managing InnerSource projects and looking to solve or share solutions to specific obstacles that are often encountered. This group works asynchronously in GitHub and Slack.

Local Communities

Description: These groups are for anyone who would like to connect with other InnerSource enthusiasts within their region. These groups meet in person and connect with each other asynchronously on Slack.

Join Slack and your local channel:

🙋 I’m Ready to Contribute Meaningfully

You have time and skills and want to make a difference. Jump in:

ISPO Working Group

Description: This working group is for those who are managing InnerSource projects, working in established ISPOs, or looking to start an ISPO in their company. They may have experience to share with others, or they may be looking for guidance and advice. This group meets biweekly in APAC and NA Time Zones and collaborates asynchronously on GitHub and Slack.

After a few months:

Patterns Working Group

Description: This working group is for those who are managing InnerSource projects and looking to solve or share solutions to specific obstacles that are often encountered. This group works asynchronously in GitHub and Slack.

  • Join Slack and the #innersource-patterns working group channel
  • Read more about the Patterns Working Group
  • Read through Patterns that might be of interest
  • Share your thoughts on an InnerSource topic and spark discussion by opening an issue or connecting on Slack
  • Help us verify that a Pattern exists by confirming that you are using one of the patterns. List your company as a Known Instance or read more about what this means in this CONTRIBUTING.md
  • Be a patterns advocate by sharing our links and discussions with those in your network or company who may find interest

After a few months:

Local Communities

Description: These groups are for anyone who would like to connect with other InnerSource enthusiasts within their region. These groups meet in person and connect with each other asynchronously on Slack.

Join Slack and your local channel:

🚀 I Want to Shape the Future

You’re here for the long haul: eventually owning areas, shaping direction of InnerSource Commons:

  • You’ve done all (or most) of the above already
  • You’ve been a part of the community and established connections

Next Steps:

🤝 Other Ways to Support the InnerSource Commons Foundation

You would like to give back in other ways. Here are some ideas:

  • Become a financial sponsor
  • Educate others and be an advocate for InnerSource by submitting talks at conferences and writing articles

🙌 Not Sure Where to Start?

No worries! Let us guide you. You can do 1 of 2 things:

  1. Jump into the #get-help Slack channel and ask about next steps.
  2. Send a DM to the InnerSource Community Manager (@Elizabeth Barron) and they’ll be happy to help!