Define community core team roles and responsibilities

When defining the core team roles and responsibilities for your community, consider the community's size, scope, and objectives.

Primary roles and responsibilities

Consider the following areas of responsibility:

• Community lead: The community lead oversees the overall management of the community. This includes monitoring community activities, reporting on progress, and ensuring that the community's goals are being met. They are the primary point of contact for the community and provide strategic direction.
• Content lead: The content lead is responsible for developing and curating content for the community. This includes creating news updates, training resources, and collateral for new programs. They ensure that the content is relevant, engaging, and aligns with the community's objectives.
• Event lead: The event lead organizes and manages community events. This includes planning and running activities such as solution showcases, 'Ask an expert' sessions, and hackathons. They ensure that events run smoothly and provide valuable experiences for community members.
• Community advocate(s): Community advocates act as liaisons between the community and the core team. They represent the interests and feedback of community members, ensuring that their voices are heard. Advocates help to foster a sense of belonging and engagement within the community.

Depending on your organization's size and team structure, these roles may not be dedicated positions. Instead, team members might take on multiple responsibilities, fulfilling the objectives of each role. Or a single team member might oversee all areas, including community management, content creation, event organization, and member liaison.

Example

Let's consider a specific example to understand the scope and expectations for each role.

Community lead

Responsibilities:

• Organizational engagement: Align community activities with organizational goals and secure support from leadership.
• Moderation: Ensure a positive and respectful environment by overseeing community interactions.
• Networking and advocacy: Build relationships within and outside the community to advocate for its needs and interests.
• Buy-in/sponsorship: Secure buy-in and sponsorship from key stakeholders to support community initiatives.
• Promotion and marketing: Develop and implement strategies to promote the community and its activities.

Content lead

Responsibilities:

• Content curation: Develop and curate relevant content, including news, training resources, and program collateral, to keep the community informed and engaged.
• Reporting and analytics: Track and analyze content performance to understand what resonates with the community and make data-driven decisions.
• Networking and advocacy: Collaborate with other content creators and external partners to enhance the community's content offerings.
• Tech and platform support: Ensure that the technical aspects of content delivery run smoothly, including platform setup and troubleshooting.
• Promotion and marketing: Promote content through various channels to maximize reach and engagement.

Event lead

Responsibilities:

• Event planning: Organize and manage community events such as webinars, workshops, and hackathons to foster engagement and collaboration.
• Reporting and analytics: Track and analyze event performance to understand attendance, engagement, and overall impact. Use this data to inform future event planning and improve outcomes.
• Networking and advocacy: Build relationships with community members, speakers, and partners to enhance event quality and relevance. Advocate for the community's needs and interests through these connections.
• Tech and platform support: Ensure the technical aspects of events run smoothly, including platform setup and troubleshooting.
• Promotion and marketing: Develop and execute marketing strategies to promote events and drive participation.

Community advocate

Responsibilities:

• Member engagement: Act as a liaison between the community and the core team, representing members' interests and ensuring their voices are heard.
• Networking and advocacy: Build relationships within the community to understand members' needs and advocate for them.
• Reporting and analytics: Gather feedback and insights from members to inform community strategies and improvements.
• Promotion and marketing: Encourage member participation and promote community initiatives to enhance engagement.

By clearly defining these roles and responsibilities, you ensure that each team member understands their specific duties and how they can contribute to the overall success of the community.

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