Designed for Longevity: Why Mature Open Source Projects Need a Culture of Mentorship

Explore the critical role of mentorship in sustaining mature open source projects through this insightful 36-minute talk by Naoko Takano from Automattic. Discover how established projects like WordPress maintain their relevance and vitality in an ever-evolving tech landscape. Gain valuable insights from two decades of experience in the WordPress community, focusing on the transformative impact of mentorship programs. Learn how the contributor ecosystem flourishes when seasoned contributors transition into mentorship roles, guided by a well-structured contributor ladder. Examine real-world evidence and community feedback from initiatives like the "Five for the Future" pledge program and the Contributor Mentorship Program pilot. Acquire practical strategies for fostering a robust mentorship culture, ensuring project longevity, and driving community growth. Whether you're an active contributor, community leader, or business involved in open source, walk away with actionable steps to implement effective mentorship programs in your own projects.