Let’s Connect & the Let’s Connect Working Group
Hello! We are the Let’s Connect program, a collaborative effort led by eight members from the Let’s Connect working group, each representing one of the eight regions. Our initiative was founded by Jessica Stephenson, who believed that peer-to-peer learning is essential for the sustainability of the Wikimedia movement.
Each month, we host learning clinics where we work together with a diverse range of Wikimedians, including affiliates, new and experienced organizers, and recently, newcomers. Our primary aim is to create safe, relaxed learning environments that showcase what interactive, peer-to-peer learning can look like both online and in person.
We invite individuals from various communities to share their expertise on a wide variety of topics, enabling us to learn from their experiences and challenges. With speakers from within the community, Let’s Connect participants gain valuable insights from real-Wiki experiences and highlights of current projects, programs, and tools in action.
Sessions
This Connectathon challenges Listeners to collaboratively build a Lego castle based solely on verbal instructions from the Builders, who have already constructed the lego castle. Separated by a barrier to prevent visual interaction, the Listeners must replicate the Builder's creation without seeing it until their attempt is complete. Builders must articulate each step clearly, while Listeners can ask clarifying questions but cannot hold up pieces for confirmation. This Connectathon highlights the importance of patient active listening, clear communication, and following instructions within a team. The end goal is to demonstrate how effective communication and listening can enhance collaboration, whether working with familiar or unfamiliar Wikimedians. By the end, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how these skills contribute to a multigenerational, sustainable, inclusive, and impactful movement.
A hands on, (maybe even no words necessary for those who are shy!) interactive, Connectathon with your peers. Build a castle of cups with only string, rubber bands and your team members.
This session will explore strategies to build welcoming environments that support beginners and foster long-term engagement across different age groups and experience levels. We will bring in the learnings from the Let’s Connect evaluation report where we will go over the needs/desires Let’s Connectors wish to see more of in the peer to peer learning space. Through success stories, mentorship opportunities, WikiLearn, and other interactive discussions, participants will gain practical tools, ideas and meaningful connections. The learnings from this session can be brought back to local communities, leading to a sustainable, diverse and thriving multigenerational Wikimedia ecosystem.