Coronavirus update – A note from our CEO [UPDATED MARCH 13]

UPDATED: March 13, 2020 

Greetings from Women Who Code!

 

We have continued to monitor news about coronavirus COVID-19 and are moved by stories from how our community has come together during this difficult time. Network leaders are collaborating on digital events and people are finding ways to support each other and stay healthy. 

 

With our community’s safety in mind, we feel that it is our responsibility to take the difficult decision to postpone CONNECT SF 2020 to October 31st. We are grateful to our partners and leaders who have been incredibly supportive during this time. 

 

The theme for WWCode CONNECT SF 2020 is Tech Innovation for Social Good. Even though we can’t come together in person in May, we see this as an opportunity to find innovative ways to connect at a time when much of the world is feeling isolated. The team is in the process of building WWCode CONNECT Digital and other ways that we can come together online. We’re also working on a new date to come together in person later this year. Sign up here for updates.   

 

Also check out our upcoming online events @ womenwhocode.com/digital including:

✨3/15 Jumpstarting with SwiftUI by Timirah James 

✨3/28 Learn the Basics of Open Source Contribution! Open Source Workshop by Vui Nguyen

✨4/22 Fuzzy Search Algorithms: When and How to Use Them – by Jiaqi Liu

 

If you were planning to attend, speak, volunteer, or sponsor in May, here is a FAQ document to help answer your questions. A few highlights:

• All ticket holders will receive an automatic ticket for the rescheduled date. Alternatively, ticket holders can convert their ticket to a scholarship donation or request a refund. 

• All of our partners have re-committed their support for the rescheduled event. 

• We are working with speakers, volunteers, and leaders to ensure that they are able to participate once the new date is announced.

 

If you have questions or if we can support you in any way during this time, please reach out by emailing connect@womenwhocode.com. You can also point any questions that you receive from the community here for ongoing updates.

 

Best,

Alaina

Alaina Percival

Chief Executive Officer

Women Who Code

—

UPDATED: March 3

Greetings from Women Who Code!

 

Over the past few days, news from communities around the world continues to evolve regarding coronavirus COVID-19. Following new cases in Bangalore and with community safety in mind, we are postponing WWCode CONNECT India 2020, which was planned for March 6 at VMware. We will revisit the situation in Bangalore mid-April to find new dates for CONNECT India later this year. 

 

We are identifying ways to stay connected to the community and will be reaching out in the coming weeks with ideas. If your community is experiencing concerns, please email global@womenwhocode.com so that the team can support you through moving events to our online platforms, postponing events, or taking other steps that otherwise feel appropriate. 

 

As in-person events are being postponed, it’s also a great time to explore online opportunities to come together where you can continue leveling up your career. Here are a few upcoming online events with Women Who Code track communities: 

 

✨3/11 Beyond Unit Tests end to end Web UI Testing- by Andrew Knight

✨3/15 Jumpstarting with SwiftUI by Timirah James 

✨3/28 Learn the Basics of Open Source Contribution! Open Source Workshop by Vui Nguyen

✨4/22 Fuzzy Search Algorithms: When and How to Use Them – by Jiaqi Liu

 

We also ask that you lead the way in being mindful of how we support each other and create a sense of belonging for our members. Remember that our Code of Conduct explicitly welcomes everyone and there is no room for xenophobia within our community. Please be kind to each other and if you experience or observe this happening, please reach out for support by emailing global@womenwhocode.com or fill out an incident report through our Code of Conduct.

 

If you have questions or if we can support you in any way during this time, please reach out. You can also point any questions that you receive from the community here for ongoing updates.

 

Best,

Alaina

Alaina Percival

Chief Executive Officer

Women Who Code

—-

February 28 

Greetings WWCode Community! 

 

Due to the evolving news about coronavirus COVID-19 and the State of Emergency in San Francisco, we wanted to provide an update to make sure that everyone is aware of how we’re handling preparations for upcoming events, as well as what you can do to stay healthy and safe. 

 

Right now, leaders are continuing to host events around the world, with many upcoming International Women’s Day celebrations. We’re also continuing planning for our CONNECT Conference series kicking off March 6 with CONNECT India and heading to San Francisco on May 2. Out of an abundance of caution, we are taking extra conference planning steps for our largest events, like purchasing additional insurance and considering refundable travel options. 

 

We remain hopeful that we will see everyone in May in San Francisco and are closely monitoring the situation. Should circumstances change, we will let you know immediately.

In the meantime, here are a few things that you can do to help you and those around you stay healthy.

• Online events for impacted communities: If the coronavirus COVID-19 is directly impacting your community, reach out to global@womenwhocode.com for access to tools and support for temporarily moving your events online. Our six track communities run about 30 online events each month and we are happy to share learnings and resources!
• Stay healthy and safe: Resources like the World Health Organization offer tips that you can take to stay healthy like frequently and thoroughly cleaning your hands, practicing social distancing as needed, and practicing good respiratory hygiene like covering your coughs and sneezes.    
• Feeling ill: If anyone is feeling cold or flu-like symptoms or has been in contact with someone who has or has been exposed to COVID-19, seek medical help and avoid public areas.
• Be mindful: During this time, we ask that you lead the way in being mindful of how we interact with and support each other. Avoid making assumptions about any individuals and find ways to create belonging. 
• Travel: Use your judgment when assessing travel. Organizations like the Centers for Disease Control publishes advice on travel and is currently recommending extra consideration for China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, and Japan, along with tips for staying healthy during travel. 

• Updates: We will make sure to update the community with further information if plans change. Keep abreast with recommendations from global and local organizations. 

 

If you have questions or if we can support you in any way during this time, please reach out. 

 

Best,

Alaina

 

Alaina Percival

Chief Executive Officer

Women Who Code