Proposal: Individual contributor travel funding request category #134

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opened 2026-07-09 17:58:04 +00:00 by jflory7 · 1 comment

jflory7 commented

2026-07-09 17:58:04 +00:00

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A contributor attending a conference to network, learn, or represent Fedora informally
A contributor giving a talk at an event but not running a Fedora booth
A contributor attending workshops or meetings relevant to their Fedora work

These requests are fundamentally different from our event funding categories. Medium and Large Events typically involve international travel, a team of people, and an organized Fedora presence. An individual travel request is simpler: one person, domestic or regional travel, and a modest budget for transport and accommodation.

What we need:

A new Fedora Docs page explaining this request type, how it works, and the key events in the timeline (similar to the existing Small and Medium event policy pages). This comes first, before any issue template work.
Once the docs are reviewed and merged, a new Forgejo issue template (YAML form) for individual contributor travel requests, putting the new event funding category into action.
Approval from the Fedora Mindshare Committee on this proposal for adding a new event funding request type.

Proposed constraints:

Eligibility: Fedora Ambassador status is not required. However, the requestor must demonstrate leadership capacity or significant involvement with a Fedora team, SIG, or project area that intersects with their goals at the event. This is not a general attendance fund. It is for core contributors who need support to get the last mile to a regional event where their participation will benefit Fedora.
Budget ceiling: ≤$750 USD per individual request, subject to Committee approval.
No international airfare. Airfare within the same country is permitted. International travel by car, rail, or bus is permitted. Blocking international air travel keeps this request type sustainable and affordable for the Fedora Project.
Regional cost equity. Requests will be reviewed with regional and country-specific cost of living taken into account. The goal is to award people similar experiences, not similar dollar amounts. A $200 request from one region may represent the same level of support as a $600 request from another.

Why this matters:

This proposal supports our ambitions for regional and local growth by making it easier for individual contributors to represent Fedora at events in their area without the overhead of assembling a full event team. It fills a gap between "I just need stickers" (Swag Only) and "I am organizing a booth with multiple people" (Medium/Large Events).

I would like to schedule this topic as a discussion at the next Mindshare Committee meeting. This is not ready for a vote yet. I am looking for feedback and input from the Committee on the concept, constraints, and how we want to structure this.

_{Assisted-by: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context)}

We currently have issue templates for Small Events, Medium/Large Events, Release Parties, and Swag Only requests. All of these assume the requestor is an event organizer or is running a booth. We are missing a category for individual contributors who want to attend an event in a non-organizer capacity, such as: - A contributor attending a conference to network, learn, or represent Fedora informally - A contributor giving a talk at an event but not running a Fedora booth - A contributor attending workshops or meetings relevant to their Fedora work These requests are fundamentally different from our event funding categories. Medium and Large Events typically involve international travel, a team of people, and an organized Fedora presence. An individual travel request is simpler: one person, domestic or regional travel, and a modest budget for transport and accommodation. **What we need:** 1. A new Fedora Docs page explaining this request type, how it works, and the key events in the timeline (similar to the existing Small and Medium event policy pages). This comes first, before any issue template work. 2. Once the docs are reviewed and merged, a new Forgejo issue template (YAML form) for individual contributor travel requests, putting the new event funding category into action. 3. Approval from the Fedora Mindshare Committee on this proposal for adding a new event funding request type. **Proposed constraints:** - **Eligibility:** Fedora Ambassador status is not required. However, the requestor must demonstrate leadership capacity or significant involvement with a Fedora team, SIG, or project area that intersects with their goals at the event. This is not a general attendance fund. It is for core contributors who need support to get the last mile to a regional event where their participation will benefit Fedora. - **Budget ceiling:** ≤$750 USD per individual request, subject to Committee approval. - **No international airfare.** Airfare within the same country is permitted. International travel by car, rail, or bus is permitted. Blocking international air travel keeps this request type sustainable and affordable for the Fedora Project. - **Regional cost equity.** Requests will be reviewed with regional and country-specific cost of living taken into account. The goal is to award people similar experiences, not similar dollar amounts. A $200 request from one region may represent the same level of support as a $600 request from another. **Why this matters:** This proposal supports our ambitions for regional and local growth by making it easier for individual contributors to represent Fedora at events in their area without the overhead of assembling a full event team. It fills a gap between "I just need stickers" (Swag Only) and "I am organizing a booth with multiple people" (Medium/Large Events). I would like to schedule this topic as a **discussion** at the next Mindshare Committee meeting. This is not ready for a vote yet. I am looking for feedback and input from the Committee on the concept, constraints, and how we want to structure this. <sub>_Assisted-by: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context)_</sub>

jflory7 added this to the 2026 Q3 Team Goals milestone

2026-07-09 17:58:04 +00:00

jflory7 added the

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