OpenVeda Playbook: Systers, an AnitaB.org community

Your guide to contributing to a global community dedicated to supporting and empowering women in technology.

1. The "Why": Mission & Impact

• The Mission: Systers is a community for women in all stages of their technology careers. It is part of the larger AnitaB.org non-profit. Their open-source projects aim to build tools that support this mission.
• Your Impact: You'll be contributing to projects that directly help women in tech, such as mentorship platforms, conference apps, and community portals.
• Why it's great for your career: Contributing to Systers shows a commitment to diversity and inclusion in tech, which is a highly valued trait by modern companies. It's an incredibly supportive and safe environment to make your first contributions, especially for women and members of underrepresented groups.

2. The "What": Tech Stack

• The tech stack varies by project, but common technologies include:
• Backend: Python with Django.
• Frontend: JavaScript with React.
• Mobile: Android (Java/Kotlin) and iOS (Swift).

3. The "How": Your Onboarding Journey

3.1: Join the Community

• Primary Channel (Zulip Chat): The Systers community coordinates on its own Zulip server.
  • Link: Join the Systers Zulip Chat.
• Your First Action: Introduce yourself in the #new-members or #general streams.

3.2: The Setup Guide

• Each project has its own setup guide in its GitHub repository.
• Action: First, explore their list of projects to find one that matches your skills. A great place to start is the Mentorship System project.
• Official Guide (Example: Mentorship System): Mentorship System README

3.3: The Contribution Workflow

• Systers follows a standard GitHub workflow. They are very focused on providing clear instructions and being helpful to newcomers.

4. GSoC / Outreachy History & Focus Areas

• Historical Focus: Systers is a veteran participant in both GSoC and, most notably, Outreachy (a program focused on underrepresented groups in tech). Projects often focus on their core platforms, like the Mentorship System, a Portal for the Grace Hopper Celebration, and mobile apps.
• What Mentors Look For: Passion for the mission and strong communication skills. They are dedicated to mentorship and look for contributors who are eager to learn and collaborate in a supportive environment.

5. Key Repositories to Know

• Main GitHub Organization: github.com/systers - Explore the different projects here.
• Mentorship System Backend: github.com/systers/mentorship-backend (Django)
• Mentorship System Frontend: github.com/systers/mentorship-frontend (React)

6. Find Your First Task Right Now

• The Golden Link: They use a special label for absolute beginners.
  • Link: "first-timers-only" across all Systers repos
• Next Level:
  • Link: "good first issue" issues

7. The Unwritten Rules (Mentor Insights)

• Read the Code of Conduct: The community is built on respect and safety. Read and abide by their Code of Conduct.
• Zulip is Your Home: Be active on their Zulip chat. It's the best way to get integrated into the community.
• All Contributions are Welcome: Like other mission-driven orgs, they value documentation, testing, and UI/UX feedback just as much as code.