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⭐ OverviewThe Distinguished Contributor Program aims to recognize, celebrate, and empower top contributors in the Open edX ecosystem who go above and beyond in their roles. This could include technical contributors, business development advocates, partner organizations, and community leaders. |
Why do we need this?
Motivation and Recognition: A formal acknowledgment of extraordinary contributions serves as a powerful motivator for ongoing engagement and excellence.
Community Role Models: Highlighting exemplary contributors sets a benchmark and inspires others to step up, fostering a culture of active participation and high-quality contributions.
Retention and Engagement: Providing an elevated recognition status ensures long-term engagement and helps retain talent within the community.
Alignment with Organizational Goals: By rewarding contributions that align with Open edX’s strategic goals (product innovation, adoption, revenue growth), the program ensures focused efforts.
Program Objectives
Recognize individuals and organizations making exceptional contributions.
Provide incentives to drive deeper engagement with Open edX’s priorities.
Build a stronger, motivated community focused on collaboration and innovation.
Establish ambassadors for the Open edX platform who drive adoption and advocacy.
OKRs (Objectives & Key Results)
Increase Open edX engagement – Ensure at least 10 active Distinguished Contributors in the first year.
Encourage long-term contributions – 80%+ retention of members year-over-year.
Drive impact in Open edX roadmap – At least 3 key community-driven initiatives or proposals per year.
Expand partner & contributor network – Leverage Distinguished Contributors to onboard new community members and partners.
Who Can Participate?
The program is open to:designed to recognize long-term, high-impact contributions to the Open edX ecosystem. It incentivizes continued participation, fosters leadership within the community, and strengthens the Open edX partner and contributor network.
Core Contributors: Recognized for technical contributions (code, architecture, documentation).
Community Members: Individuals advocating for Open edX in business, marketing, adoption, or user success.
Partner Organizations: Implementation partners delivering outstanding value through innovative deployments, successful projects, or community leadership.
Program Tiers and Parameters
Technical Track
Distinguished Engineer
Who qualifies: Core contributors, developers, and architects who have made significant contributions to Open edX’s architecture, features, or infrastructure.
Parameters:
Successful delivery of significant contributions to the codebase.
Top contributors who actively support community members by engaging in social channels (Slack, Confluence), events, and other collaborative spaces.
Proposals that address architectural gaps or strategic issues (e.g., kernel enhancements).
Active participation in architectural reviews, OEPs, and other core processes.
Mentorship of new technical contributors.
Incentives:
Recognition at annual Open edX conferences.
Opportunity to lead technical sessions or working groups.
Open edX "Distinguished Engineer" badge (digital and/or physical).
Exclusive invitations to architecture and strategy discussions.
Biz Dev/ Community Track
Distinguished Advocate
Who qualifies: Community members or partner representatives driving platform adoption and market growth.
Parameters:
Evidence of successful adoption or growth initiatives (e.g., acquiring new institutions/regions).
Tangible contributions to revenue strategies, partnerships, or market analysis.
Organizing Open edX webinars, workshops, or events to engage users and partners.
Documenting success stories, case studies, and partner impact.
Incentives:
Recognition in Open edX blogs, newsletters, and events.
Spotlight opportunities (e.g., featured success story or presentation at conferences).
Open edX "Distinguished Advocate" badge.
Invitations to Biz Dev strategy discussions and early access to partner programs.
Innovation / Open Source/ Adoption Track
Distinguished Innovator
Who qualifies: Contributors driving open-source innovation and community growth.
Parameters:
Creation of innovative tools, plugins, or features enhancing Open edX’s capabilities.
Leading open-source initiatives or hackathons.
Enabling adoption by creating tools or solutions that simplify implementation.
Active participation in working groups to align with platform strategy.
Incentives:
Recognition in Open edX’s contributor hall of fame.
Funding or support for open-source project development.
Opportunities to collaborate with the Core Product Working Group.
Badge: "Distinguished Innovator."
Partner Organization
Distinguished Partner
Tenure and Membership Renewal
1-Year Term – Renewable based on continued contributions.
Annual evaluation process to retain active, engaged members.
Lifetime status can be granted after a sustained 5-year contribution milestone.
To retain membership, individuals must:
Maintain an active role in contributions (technical, business development, community leadership, etc.).
Demonstrate impactful engagement within Open edX initiatives.
Participate in at least one Open edX event, working group, or mentorship activity per year.
Why Would Community Members Seek This Recognition?
Enhanced Reputation: Being recognized as a “Distinguished Contributor” elevates an individual’s or partner’s reputation within the Open edX community and the broader EdTech space.
Exclusive Opportunities: Access to strategy discussions, leadership roles, and early involvement in new initiatives.
Visibility: Recognition through official Open edX channels (blogs, newsletters, conferences) increases personal and organizational visibility.
Networking: The program fosters closer collaboration with core teams, community leaders, and decision-makers.
Career/Business Advancement: Partners and contributors can showcase this recognition as a mark of excellence, attracting new clients, employers, or collaborators.
Impact: Contributors see their efforts directly influence the platform’s growth, user adoption, and innovation.
Implementation Steps
Nomination and Eligibility:
Self-nomination or peer nominations with justification of contributions.
A review panel (including Biz Dev and Core Product Working Groups) evaluates submissions.
Annual Recognition Cycle:
Awards announced annually at Open edX conferences or summits.
Recognition and Incentives:
Digital badges, certificates, and physical awards.
A dedicated "Distinguished Contributor" section on the Open edX website.
Personalized communication and announcements to celebrate their achievements.
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