Blind Coffee - Girl Code @ home

Pfew.. As you probably noticed Girl Code has been on hold since Covid-19.
And pfew... It has been a while and it will 'keep being a while' longer.

As I, Ineke, don't feel any urge in this pandemic to join online conf's as a speaker let alone as a participant, after the 8 hours working from home everyday, I won't put you through it with Girl Code. So these events will return after the pandemic.

But, no end in sight for this lockdown! That's why we're organising an informal Blind Coffee for the Girl Coders who miss the social side of Girl Code. As a new year's event sort of speak.

/// Blind Coffee ///
For work I built a very 'houtje-touwtje' local script called 'Blind Coffee' to send out video calls randomly to participants to replace the informal 'bump-into-eachothers-at-the-coffee-machine'. This script will email the participants randomly one of the meeting links (in bcc so it remains a surprise until you open the link at the set time who you're gonna bump into, and: your email address stays private). You'll bump into a group of max 5 others.

This is a replacement for casual encounters IRL (for example at a Girl Code meetup). So people don't have to formally schedule another video call (after the 8 hour of calls that day) to informally talk about nothing. Cause that's a way too formal action to replace these informal encounters.

You now only have to register with your email, block the time and open the link at the set time. Not as informal as IRL.. But way closer than actively scheduling.

This event is meant to be a lil snack 'til Covid is over and the real deal can start up again. It thus is just for those who miss the social side of Girl Code and are in the mood for an informal 'bump-into-each-other' with fellow Girl Coders to chitchat about anything.

Cause of the technical side of this event there are some requirements to be able to join. So please make sure you can meet those before signing up.

/// Requirements to join ///

• You provide your email address (to receive the video links) at registering
• You block Wed 3 feb 18.00 in your calendar
• You have dedicated time 'til at least 18.45 (if it's 'gezellig' you're of course free to stay in the Blind Coffee longer)
• You will join at 18.00 sharp. The invitation for the Blind Coffee really is 'blind' and random so the others are counting on you, and you have no way of knowing who to cancel
• You will turn your camera on for the next reason
• You will behave like you'll do at any Girl Code event: so no discrimination/sexism/harassment. This should be a safe environment and nice experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity/expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion etc.
• You will cancel ASAP and at least before the RSVP deadline if you can't make it anymore. After the deadline you will be randomly and blindly assigned to one of the Blind Coffees and the others in your group will count on you
• Waitlist: if you get a last minute spot (on feb 3) we're also counting on you! Can't make it? Cancel in time even if you're waitlisted.

/// Program ///
18.00 - Joint kick-off of the Blind Coffee (everyone)
18.10 - Blind Coffee (groups of max 6)
Endtime? At least 18.45. You are free to go on as long as you like
!!! You'll receive the links for both video calls Wednesday feb 3rd in your inbox you provided at registering for this event

/// Girl Code team - hosts ///
Ineke Scheffers
Elisabeth Boldewijn
Zinat Farhang
Roos Steigenga
Jessica D. Smith

/// Please note ///

• We'll be taking attendance. If you RSVP'd but didn't show up, it will have consequences. Cancelling after the RSVP deadline will count as a no-show.
• You agree there will be taken a group pic for the album of this event and maybe the promotion of Girl Code or a possible next Blind Coffee.
• If everything goes right the hosts will just be a participant like everyone else, but respect and listen to them when they do have to intervene.