WordPress Community Team to Close Inactive Meetup Groups
In an effort to streamline and revitalize the WordPress community, the WordPress Community Team has announced the closure of all inactive meetup groups by September 16, 2024. This decision comes as a response to recent data revealing that nearly half of the existing groups are currently inactive.
Devin Maeztri, Automattic’s Community Engagement Specialist, explained the need for proactive measures to address this issue. With over 762 WordPress Meetup groups across 108 countries and nearly 537,000 members, it is crucial to ensure that these groups remain active and engaged.
To facilitate this process, the Community Team released a list of inactive meetups that are at risk of removal from the WordPress Chapter Meetup Program. Organizers have until September 16 to confirm if they wish to remain active. So far, 22 meetups have already requested closure, with Spain leading the way with six closure requests, followed by the USA, France, and Indonesia.
For those meetups that fail to respond, they will be removed from the WordPress Chapter Meetup Program. Currently, 140 groups have yet to respond, with the largest numbers coming from the USA, Italy, Brazil, Spain, India, and Venezuela. However, this does not mean the end for these groups. Meetup.com will guide Co-organizers, Assistant Organizers, Event Organizers, and Members on how to keep the group active independently, including managing the subscription fee.
In an effort to support local WordPress meetups, WordPress.com has been offering free websites since June 2024. This initiative aims to provide a platform for meetups to showcase their activities, connect with members, and promote their events.
Organizers who believe their group was mistakenly flagged as inactive or groups that wish to rejoin the WordPress network after removal can contact the Community Team at support@wordcamp.org. The team is committed to addressing concerns and ensuring that all active and engaged meetup groups have the opportunity to thrive within the WordPress community.
As the WordPress Community Team takes proactive steps to revitalize the WordPress meetup groups, the hope is that this initiative will foster a stronger and more connected community. By removing inactive groups and providing resources for those that remain, the WordPress community can continue to grow and flourish, creating a space for collaboration, learning, and support.
