User:Sonkiki/Hackathons/Before you start

Planning a hackathon is a large undertaking, but it's also highly rewarding.



Do you have what it takes to plan an event?
These tough questions will help you decide if you really want it. outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event_planning_process

Organizer responsibilities and questions to ask yourself before you start
>> create a new page for this. I sense this could be the fabled "Get started" page.

Take from the propose a hackathon chapter: Hackathons/Proposing a hackathon

Responsibilities:

You best also have a look at the timeline (Link to the timeline) to get an overview of your responsibilities.

Want another format? There are all kinds of wikimedia tech events / mediawiki related events!

 * A list of all kinds of tech events and how to plan them: 3 Specific events

Ideally the Wikimedia Hackathon model can be replicated and adapted to different regions. Hackathons are welcome especially in Wikimedia and developer hubs like India, North America, Latin America, Greater China, Russia...

Wikimedia chapters are encouraged to play a key role organizing events in their territories, but the invitation is extended to all Wikimedia formal and informal groups. A team of three dedicated people playing well their cards can organize a successful hackathon.

Wikimedia organizations are strongly encouraged to support hackathons organized by others, sponsoring travel for technical contributors active in their communities.

If you are interested in funding and support for a smaller scale hackathon (15-40 people) that is also a possibility starting in July 2015. Please follow the same proposal steps and guidelines.

If you are interested in organizing a hackathon but have private questions or concerns please email rfarrand@wikimedia.org.

Typical Schedule
Day 0: Event organizers arrive and set up. Participants begin arriving in evening. Low key social event or organized group outings. Pre-registration and name badges

Day 1: Registration, All-hands/welcome/intro, Sessions start, hacking, mixer/social event, hack through the night option

Day 2: Sessions and hacking continue, hack through the night option, social event

Day 3: Sessions and hacking continue, wrap up, closing social event or dinner, some participants leave but most stay the night.

Day 4: Everyone heads home, organizers must still be onsite to help participants.