Programming Diversity

6PM-6:25PM: Socializing and informal discussions on:

• Diversity in technology: Talk about your experience and how you and others can help to improve both your local and the broader tech environment.

• Meetup re-branding: Brainstorm names, slogans, and ideas for a re-branding and re-launch of the Chicago PHP Community Meetup.

6:25PM-6:30PM: Welcome to Wellspring and introductory announcements

6:30PM-7:30PM: Ashe Dryden presents Programming Diversity

It's been scientifically proven that more diverse communities and workplaces create better products and the solutions to difficult problems are more complete and diverse themselves. Companies are struggling to find adequate talent. So why do we see so few women, people of color, and LGBTQ people at our events and on the about pages of our websites? Even more curiously, why do 60% of women leave the tech industry within 10 years? Why are fewer women choosing to pursue computer science and related degrees than ever before? Why have stories of active discouragement, dismissal, harassment, or worse become regular news? In this talk we’ll examine the causes behind the lack of diversity in our communities, events, and workplaces. We’ll discuss what we can do as community members, event organizers, and co-workers to not only combat this problem, but to encourage positive change by contributing to an atmosphere of inclusivity.

Ashe Dryden (http://ashedryden.com/) is an indie ruby developer living in Madison, WI. She's been involved with the web in some form or another over the course of the past 12 years. Ashe is an outspoken educator for diversity, inclusiveness, and empathy. She's currently writing a book on increasing diversity within companies. When she isn't discussing technology or it’s intersection with culture, she's cycling, tweeting, playing board games, debating the social implications of Star Trek episodes, being that awkward girl at the party, and waiting for her next burrito fix.

7:30PM-8PM: PHP Meetup Re-branding Discussion

Go over ideas and direction for the renaming and refocus of the group.