Merge pull request #176 from Tripplenut/master

Handbook Update - Overview, Getting Started and Meetings

docs/README.md

@@ -2,18 +2,20 @@
 
 The **Rensselaer Center for Open Source** - or **RCOS** (*`ar-kos`*) for short - is a community of motivated students at [Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute](http://rpi.edu) who develop open source projects under the guidance of experienced instructors and student mentors.
 
-### Our Mission Statement
+## Our Mission Statement
 
 > To cultivate an inclusive, creative, and entrepreneurial community that seeks to empower students to develop open-source solutions to real-world problems.
 
-### What do we do?
-RCOS members collaborate on open source projects throughout the semester. Members may participate as students pursuing free elective course credit, or recreationally for experience. At the beginning of each semester, members may propose an outline for a new or existing project, or join a project proposed by another member. Members enrolled for credit must regularly be in attendance, produce regular progress updates, and give a final presentation.
+## What do we do?
 
-All members are encouraged to produce successful projects, but the primary goals are to be exposed to interesting ideas, technologies, and people while gaining practical experience outside of the classroom in a low-risk environment.
+RCOS members collaborate on open-source projects throughout the semester. Members may participate as students pursuing free elective course credit or recreationally for experience. At the beginning of each semester, members may propose an outline for a new or existing project or join a project proposed by another member. Members enrolled for credit must regularly be in attendance, produce regular progress updates, and give a final presentation.
 
-RCOS is <!--an active member of the [Mozilla Open Source Student Network](https://opensource.mozilla.community/) and is-->the first student run organization to be accepted as an associate member of the [Open Source Initiative](https://opensource.org/). With an semesterly membership of ~200 students and over 1000 alumni, RCOS is the largest open source campus organization in the country.
+All members are encouraged to produce successful projects. Still, the primary goals are to be exposed to interesting ideas, technologies, and people while gaining practical experience outside the classroom in a low-risk environment.
+
+RCOS is <!--an active member of the [Mozilla Open Source Student Network](https://opensource.mozilla.community/) and is-->the first student-run organization accepted as an associate member of the [Open Source Initiative](https://opensource.org/). With a semesterly membership of ~400 students and over 1000 alums, RCOS is the largest open-source campus organization in the country.
 
 Check out the [FAQ](overview/faq.md?id=main) for more information.
 
-### RCOS Handbook
-This handbook is the single-source-of-truth of documentation for RCOS. It is intended to be a thorough, living document detailing the organizational practices of RCOS at every level. If you find a problem or something that you'd like to dispute, please [open an issue](https://github.com/rcos/handbook/issues/new). You can learn more about this handbook [here](handbook/README.md).
+## RCOS Handbook
+
+This handbook is the single source of truth of documentation for RCOS. It is intended to be a thorough, living document detailing the organizational practices of RCOS at every level. If you find a problem or something you'd like to dispute, please [open an issue](https://github.com/rcos/handbook/issues/new). You can learn more about this handbook [here](handbook/README.md).

docs/meetings/inclement_weather.md

@@ -2,25 +2,27 @@
 
 ## Overview
 
-We at RCOS understand that it may be difficult or unsafe to get to campus during inclement weather. Below are our policies on cancelling or dismissing RCOS meetings due to inclement weather.
+We at RCOS understand that getting to campus during inclement weather may be difficult or unsafe. Below are our policies on canceling or dismissing RCOS meetings due to inclement weather.
 
 ## Weekday Meetings and Events
-If classes are not in session due to inclement weather, any RCOS events that occur during that day will also be cancelled. These events include:
-- Large Group
-- Friday Workshops
-- Small Group
-- Weekday Work/Bonus Sessions
 
-Large Groups that are cancelled might be rescheduled to another RCOS period to make up.
+If classes are not in session due to inclement weather, any RCOS events during that day will also be canceled. These events include:
+
+- Large Group Meetings
+- Small Group Meetings
+- Workshops
+
+Large Groups that are canceled might be rescheduled to another RCOS period to make up.
 
 ## Weekend or Holiday Events
 
-If RPI's shuttle service or Safe Ride program is suspended due to inclement weather when classes are not in session, any RCOS events occurring on that day will be cancelled. This includes:
+If RPI's shuttle service or Safe Ride program is suspended due to inclement weather when classes are not in session, any RCOS events occurring that day will be canceled. This includes:
+
 - Weekend work sessions
 - Code Jams
 - RCOS Hackathons
 - Weekend bonus sessions
 
-If a shuttle service or Safe Ride suspension is announced during an RCOS event, event hosts reserve the right to dismiss the event early so that attendees can get home safely.
+If a shuttle service or Safe Ride suspension is announced during an RCOS event, event hosts reserve the right to dismiss the event early so attendees can get home safely.
 
-In the final 3 weeks of the Fall semester and the first half of the Spring semester, event hosts are encouraged to set aside a "snow date" for any code jams, hackathons, or weekend bonus sessions.
+In the final three weeks of the Fall semester and the first half of the Spring semester, event hosts are encouraged to set aside a "snow date" for any code jams, hackathons, or weekend bonus sessions.

docs/meetings/large_group_meetings.md

@@ -1,27 +1,26 @@
 # Large Group Meetings
 
-!> We are still adapting to the return to restricted in-person courses. This information may change.
-
 ## Overview
-Large Group is when the entirety of RCOS gathers for announcements, guest speakers, town hall meetings, or opening/closing ceremonies.
 
+Large Group is when the entirety of RCOS gathers for announcements, guest speakers, town hall meetings, or opening/closing ceremonies.
 
 ## Time and Frequency
+
 During the first two weeks of the semester, Large Group occurs every Tuesday and Friday to get new community members acquainted with RCOS and to inform existing members on changes in structure and mentorship.
 
-Once all community members are assigned to a Small Group, Large Group will only occur on one or two Fridays per month. All other Fridays are reserved for Small Group meetings.
+Once all community members are assigned to a Small Group, Large Group will only occur at the end of the Summer. All other Fridays are reserved for Small Group meetings.
 
-Large group will also occur on the last Friday of the semester for our closing ceremony. 
+Large Group will also occur on the last Friday of the semester for our closing ceremony.
 
 ## Announcements
-Each Large Group meeting's slides have an announcements section where Coordinators/Faculty Advisors announce important events both in RCOS and external. RCOS members who have interesting announcements about external events or anything else they feel worth sharing with everyone can ask a Coordinator to briefly talk during the Large Group meeting. Don't be hesitant to, we heavily encourage participation! We take note of particularly engaged RCOS members.
+
+Each Large Group meeting's slides have an announcements section where Coordinators/Faculty Advisors announce important events both in RCOS and externally. RCOS members with interesting announcements about external events or anything else they feel worth sharing with everyone can ask a Coordinator to talk briefly during the Large Group meeting. Don't be hesitant to; we heavily encourage participation! We take note of particularly engaged RCOS members.
 
 ## Guest Speakers
-!> We currently are not allowed to host visitors on campus, so guest speakers would dial in to meetings through WebEx.
 
-RCOS welcomes guest speakers to present their work or research and how it encorporates open-source software. Every once in a while a guest speaker will be given time to present during a Large Group meeting for everyone. These can be anyone from RPI faculty to external companies. These will be announced ahead of time. Guest speakers presentations generally should not be longer than 40 minutes.
+RCOS welcomes guest speakers to present their work or research and how it incorporates open-source software. Occasionally, a guest speaker will be given time to present during a Large Group meeting for everyone. These can be anyone from RPI faculty to external companies. These will be announced ahead of time. Guest speaker presentations generally should be at most 40 minutes.
 
 ## End of Year Closing Ceremony
+
 - Coordinators select 2-3 projects to give a very brief highlights reel on their accomplishments in the semester
 - New Coordinators are introduced
-- ~~Pizza is delivered for everyone~~ ;(

docs/meetings/semester_outline.md

@@ -2,40 +2,35 @@
 
 ## Summary
 
-Each RCOS semester is standalone. The first few weeks are used for setting up mentors, Small Groups, and projects. The middle of the semester - the majority - is spent working on your projects. The last few weeks of the semester are dedicated to final project presentations and wrap up.
+Each RCOS semester is standalone. The first few weeks are used for setting up mentors, Small Groups, and projects. The middle of the semester - the majority - is spent working on your projects. The last few weeks of the semester are dedicated to final project presentations and wrap-up.
 
 ## Semester Start
 
-- Mentors/Coordinators Announced
+This is usually the first two weeks of the semester.
 
+- Mentors/Coordinators Announced
 - Project Formation
-
   - Project pitches
   - Project pairing
   - Project proposals
-
 - Projects Grouped into Small Groups
   - Mentors assigned
 
 ## Mid Semester
 
-- Small Group Meetings Start
+This is usually the bulk of the semester.
 
+- Small Group Meetings Start
 - Project Contributions Start
-
 - Workshops Start
-
-- Midyear Review
+- Mid-Semester Commit Summary
 
 ## Semester End
 
-- Last Contributions Submitted
+This is usually the last two weeks of the semester.
 
+- Last Contributions Submitted
 - Final Presentations
-
-- End of Year Review
-
-  - Pizza??
-
+- Final Commit Summary
 - Final Grading
   - Grade appeals

docs/meetings/small_group_meetings.md

@@ -1,18 +1,21 @@
 # Small Group Meetings
 
-!> We are still adapting to the return to restricted in-person courses. This information may change.
-
 ## Overview
-Small Group meetings are where the majority of RCOS project work gets done. Once projects are finalized at the start of the semester, projects are grouped into Small Groups overseen by a Mentor or two and are assigned to a room, typically in Sage. During Small Group meetings, you have time to work and discuss with your team, collaborate with other projects, and get help from your Mentor(s).
+
+Small Group meetings are where the majority of RCOS project work gets done. Once projects are finalized at the start of the semester, projects are grouped into Small Groups overseen by a Mentor or two and are assigned to a room. During Small Group meetings, you have time to work and discuss with your team, collaborate with other projects, and get help from your mentor (s).
 
 ## Time and Frequency
-Small Group meetings take place during regularly schedule RCOS sections on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4pm to 5:50pm. Attendance is required, with details listed [here](grading/attendance). Members are expected to work for the majority of the period. Attendance is generally taken after an hour and a half to ensure members are coming and staying.
+
+Small Group meetings occur during regularly scheduled RCOS sections on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4 pm to 5:50 pm. Attendance is required, with details listed [here](grading/attendance). Members are expected to work for the majority of the period. Attendance is generally taken after an hour and a half to ensure members come and stay.
 
 ## Location
-Small Groups are assigned to small rooms, typically in Russell Sage Laboratory. Each Small Group (and project) is also given their own Discord voice and text channels on the server which they are encouraged to actively use.
+
+Small Groups are assigned to small rooms. On average, these locations hold around 30 people, so that a few projects will be in each room. Each project is also given its own Discord voice and text channels on the server, which they are encouraged to use actively.
 
 ## Agenda
-Your Mentor(s) will run the Small Group meeting. It will start with a short presentation prepared by the Coordinators to give general RCOS announcements and updates. Then the agenda is up to the Mentor(s), though the majority of the time will always be given to Open Hacking (see below). Mentors are required to keep up-to-date on your projects so they might do this by having a standup where everyone in the room quickly recounts their progress and blockers, or they might speak individually to projects and team members.
+
+Your mentor(s) will run the Small Group meeting. It will start with a short presentation prepared by the Coordinators to give general RCOS announcements and updates. Then, most of the time, it will always be given to Open Hacking (see below). Mentors are required to keep up-to-date on your projects, so they might do this by having a standup where everyone in the room quickly recounts their progress and blockers, or they might speak individually to projects and team members.
 
 ## Open Hacking
-The majority of Small Group meeting time should be actual development work on your project. This is when project leads can directly speak with the whole team, delegate tasks, troubleshoot, and manage their project. Mentors can be called in if available to help with technical blockers.
+
+Most Small Group meeting time should be actual development work on your project. This is when project leads can directly speak with the whole team, delegate tasks, troubleshoot, and manage their project. Mentors can be called in if available to help with technical blockers.

docs/membership/join_rcos.md

@@ -2,23 +2,23 @@
 
 ## RPI Students
 
-RCOS runs each semester of the school year, including summer semesters. You can participate either by either taking the course for credit or no credit. If you take RCOS for credit, you must meet all of the requirements described in [Grading](grading/README) in order to receive a grade. If not taking for credit, you can participate in the same way but are not held to any requirements.
+RCOS runs each semester of the school year, including summer semesters. You can participate by taking the course for credit or no credit. If you take RCOS for credit, you must meet the requirements described in [Grading](grading/README) to receive a grade. If not taking for credit, you can participate in the same way but are not held to any requirements.
 
 ### 1. Register for the RCOS Course
 
-When course registration opens, search for RCOS in QuACS or YACS and register for the section that has the number of credits you want to take RCOS for. The credit count is factored into grading. You will also be able to show up to the first RCOS meeting of the semester and register via SIS then, but it is best to do this as soon as possible!
+When course registration opens, search for RCOS in QuACS or YACS and register for the section with the number of credits you want to take RCOS with. The credit count is factored into grading. You will also be able to show up to the first RCOS meeting of the semester and register via SIS, but it is best to do this as soon as possible! If you have a conflict, contact the faculty advisors for help!
 
-### 2. Register on Telescope
+### 2. Register on new.rcos.io
 
-Log into [Telescope](https://rcos.io) with CAS to register as an RCOS member in our database.
+[Sign up at our website](https://new.rcos.io/) to register as an RCOS member in our database. You will initially sign up via email, but you can connect your personal Discord and GitHub profiles as alternate ways to sign in.
 
-### 3. Join Discord Server
+### 3. Join our Discord Server
 
-RCOS uses Discord for all communication. It is required that you join the RCOS Discord server for updates, announcements, and team communication throughout the semester. Once you have logged into Telescope, [connect your Discord account](https://rcos.io/link/discord) which will add you to the Discord server. Here, you'll be able to reach out to Faculty Advisors, Coordinators, Mentors, and your fellow members!
+RCOS uses Discord for all communication. You must join the RCOS Discord server for updates, announcements, and team communication throughout the semester. Once you have logged into our website, [connect and link your Discord account](https://new.rcos.io/profile/) on your profile page. This should add you to the Discord server. Here, you can reach out to Faculty Advisors, Coordinators, Mentors, and your fellow members! **If you need help with this, contact a faculty advisor or a coordinator ASAP to be added.**
 
 ### 4. Attend First Meeting
 
-The first RCOS meeting of each semester is on either the first Tuesday or Friday of the semester at 4pm. Typically these large meetings take place in DCC 318, but always check SIS for the actual location!
+The first RCOS meeting of each semester is on either the first Tuesday or Friday of the semester at 4 pm. Typically, these large meetings occur in DCC 318, but always check SIS for the actual location!
 
 <!-- RCOS is a group of RPI students who work on open source projects. Our members work on a variety of projects, which can be seen on the projects page. To see the presentation schedule look here. -->
 

docs/membership/project_pairing.md

@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 # Project Pairing
 
-!> We are still adapting to the return to restricted in-person courses. This information may change.
-
 ## Overview
 
 The goal of Project Pairing is to ensure that each student finds a project that matches their interests. Finding a project can be very nerve-wracking, especially for new members. Project Pairing was introduced to address this problem.