Ambassador Program RFC

Author: jemgillam

rfcs/ambassador-program/index.md

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+## GraphQL Ambassador Program
+
+The following is the beginnings of a document outlining the goals, outcomes and tasks of an Ambassador program. 
+
+### Alternative Names
+
+* Champion - already used on the technical side - Champions of spec edits
+* Evangelist - usually out of favour nowadays
+* Advocate - suggests a salaried role?
+* Leader, Star, Hero, Captain, Expert - “Star” we have already used in a recognition role
+* GraphQL Fellowship 
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> “Ambassador” seems to be readily accepted, I don't think we need to discuss the term any further.   
+
+### Ambassador Initiative Goals
+
+The overarching goal is to increase GraphQL adoption. The Ambassadors program aims to accomplish this through:
+
+* Brand advocacy - developers organically vouch for and promote GraphQL
+* Social proof - named individuals with high visibility (and a proportion from known corporate brands) as Ambassadors
+* Increased GraphQL content online and off
+* Community building - increase the number of “known faces” within GraphQL, increased approachability (addressing the concern of “lowering the barrier to join an inclusive GraphQL community” raised by the Community WG)  
+
+How can these goals be measured? 
+
+* Engagement metrics - social, chat channels, search, downloads, page views…
+* New community members (across social media comments, Discord users, local gathering attendees, working group members…) 
+* Volume of talks at conferences
+* Volume of articles written
+
+### Ambassador Tasks
+
+As a GraphQL Ambassador, you will be an important touchstone for people interested in GraphQL to learn more about it in a friendly and constructive way. 
+
+One or more of the following:
+
+* Conference & meetup talks on GraphQL
+* Local gathering organization
+* Written GraphQL content
+* Video / audio GraphQL content
+
+### Foundation Tasks
+
+* Grant available for travel expenses for approved conference & meetup talks
+* Microgrant (or honorarium) available for content creation 
+    * Where is this content hosted? 
+* Promotion of Ambassador material - conference talk videos and created content
+* Promotion of the Ambassador as a go-to GraphQL expert
+    * Website profile
+    * Longer task: biographies / interviews with each Ambassador
+    * Credly badge
+* Exclusive GraphQL swag eg Ambassador hoodie
+
+### Ambassador Requirements
+
+* Highly knowledgeable about GraphQL and readily able to articulate those ideas 
+* Technical in tone, without sounding like they are on a sales team
+* Be a model community member: Adhering to the code of conduct especially when critical of GraphQL or defending it to others criticism, remaining respectful, constructive and fair 
+* Do not come across to other community members as selling another product, service or agenda
+
+
+### Ambassador Code of Conduct
+
+While the wider GraphQL community abides by the [contributor covenant code of conduct](https://graphql.org/codeofconduct/), we will need a stronger set of standards for the Ambassador Program. This is because the Foundation will be endorsing these people as representatives. We can look to the [CNCF Ambassador Program Standards of Excellence](https://www.cncf.io/people/ambassadors/program-standards/) as a good indicator of what this should be. In fact, we are encouraged to borrow liberally from them, as they are also a Linux Foundation project with an already successful program, and their lawyers have already signed it off. 
+
+### Process
+
+Yearly program
+ * 1 year term? Or mirror the TSC and use a 2 year term  
+
+How many Ambassadors is a reasonable number?  
+
+Self-nominations and nominations from within the community; who should review these?  
+
+Process for removing an Ambassador? And the reason to do so?  
+
+Content generated will need to be reviewed before being promoted  
+
+Travel expenses for conferences & meetups: 
+  * Wait for the talk to be accepted through the meetup CfP process  
+  * Review the talk proposal to ensure alignment with the Program  
+  * Can the payment be made beforehand rather than in arrears?