FAQ

Open Sacramento is an independent community of technologists, developers, designers, and civic-minded individuals who collaborate to use technology and open data to address civic challenges and improve public services in the Sacramento area. Open Sacramento was formerly known as Code for Sacramento and was a local chapter of the nationwide Code for America Brigade.

Getting involved is easy! You can join their vibrant community by attending their events, meetups, and workshops. Whether you're an experienced coder or someone eager to learn, there's a place for you to contribute your skills and passion to create positive change in the community. For detailed directions on how to get started, please refer to our Get Started page.

Not at all! Open Sacramento welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds and skill levels. While programming skills are valuable, we also need designers, data analysts, project managers, and anyone enthusiastic about civic engagement and community improvement.

Open Sacramento works on a variety of civic tech projects. These projects could involve creating web applications, mobile apps, data visualizations, or other digital tools that address local civic issues and improve government services. See our Projects page for more information.

Open Sacramento is a non-partisan and independent organization. We collaborate with government agencies and nonprofits based on project and community impact and not political affliation.

The time commitment is flexible, and you can contribute as much time as you can spare. Whether it's attending occasional events or actively participating in ongoing projects, your involvement can be tailored to your schedule and interests. However, we find that our most successful and engaged volunteers commit to coming regularly as it can take time get up to speed and contribute.

Yes, all of the projects developed by Open Sacramento are open source. Open source means that the code and resources are freely available to the public, allowing others to use, modify, and contribute to the projects.

Absolutely! Open Sacramento encourages members to propose project ideas aligned with the organization's mission. If you have a project idea that addresses a civic challenge, they welcome your input and collaboration. See the Pitch page.

While Open Sacramento primarily focuses on projects in the Sacramento area, participation is not limited to local residents. Anyone interested in contributing remotely or learning from the community is welcome to join.

No, Open Sacramento welcomes anyone with a passion for civic engagement, regardless of their professional background. Students, hobbyists, and individuals from all walks of life can make a meaningful impact within the community.

There are no age restrictions to volunteer with us. We welcome individuals of all ages who are passionate about civic tech and community engagement. Whether you're a student, a professional, or a retiree, you are welcome to join our community and make a meaningful impact

To become a new volunteer for Open Sacramento, you can start by filling out the "New Member Form" on our website. Once you submit the form, someone from the team will send you a Slack invite to your email. Slack is where the Open Sacramento community communicates and collaborates, and it's a great way to get involved in ongoing projects and stay updated on events and opportunities. We look forward to welcoming you to our community of civic-minded technologists and passionate individuals! You can access the New Member Form here.

As a new volunteer, you can expect a warm welcome from our community of civic-minded technologists and passionate individuals. You'll have the opportunity to attend events, meetups, and workshops to connect with other members and learn about ongoing projects. You can actively contribute your skills to projects aligned with your interests.

Volunteers at Open Sacramento use Slack and Meetup for seamless communication and collaboration. Slack serves as a centralized platform for discussions, sharing ideas, and coordinating projects, while Meetup provides a hub for event announcements and community gatherings. These tools enable our community of technologists and civic-minded individuals to work together effectively, ensuring a dynamic and engaging volunteering experience. Check out our Meetup here.

To work on a project with Open Sacramento, visit the project page where you'll find detailed information and instructions on how to contribute. Each project page provides valuable insights into the project's objectives, current status, and the skills needed. This way, you can identify projects that align with your interests and expertise, making it easy to actively participate and make a meaningful impact.

Pitching a project idea is a fantastic way to contribute to Open Sacramento's community. You can find the "Pitch a Project" page easily accessible from the Navbar under "Get Involved." This page provides a platform for you to present your project idea, outline its goals, and describe how it addresses a civic challenge. By following the guidelines provided, you can introduce your idea to the community and gather support from like-minded volunteers who are passionate about creating positive change.

Yes, to maintain a positive and inclusive community, Open Sacramento follows a Code of Conduct that outlines expected behavior and standards for all volunteers. The Code of Conduct fosters a safe and respectful environment for everyone, ensuring a rewarding and collaborative experience for all members of our community.

You can access the Code of Conduct here.