feat: add ambassadors program

mkdocs.yml

@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ nav:
           - "Template: Candidates Project Proposal": "opportunities/gsoc/templates/contributor-proposal.md"
   - Partnership:
       - Overview: "partnership/index.md"
+      - Ambassadors Program: "partnership/ambassadors/index.md"
       - Partners: "partnership/partners/index.md"
       - Community Partners: "partnership/community/index.md"
       - Open Proposals:

pages/partnership/ambassadors/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,266 @@
+---
+title: Open Science Labs Ambassadors Program
+description: >
+  Build connections, create opportunities, and help people grow through a global
+  network of active Open Science Labs contributors.
+date: 2026-09-12
+authors: ["OSL Team"]
+template: ambassadors.html
+section_label: Partnership · Ambassadors
+page_theme: ambassadors
+hero_words: ["Listen", "Connect", "Grow"]
+# Add the GitHub issue-template URL here when applications open.
+application_url: ""
+---
+
+**Build connections. Create opportunities. Help people grow.**
+
+The Open Science Labs Ambassadors Program is a global network of active OSL
+contributors who connect our community with universities, research groups,
+students, open-source communities, companies, nonprofits, funders, and other
+mission-aligned organizations.
+
+Ambassadors are not simply promoters. They are **listeners, community builders,
+connectors, and opportunity creators** who help people learn, collaborate, and
+develop their potential through science, technology, education, mentorship, and
+open source.
+
+## Why the Ambassadors Program exists
+
+OSL is for people from different countries, disciplines, backgrounds, and career
+stages. We want more people to find meaningful ways to learn, contribute, build
+experience, and create positive social impact.
+
+Our approach is simple: **we grow while helping others grow**. Ambassadors start
+by asking what a community needs, what challenges it faces, and what OSL and
+that community could create together—not only what the community can do for OSL.
+
+That approach can turn:
+
+- a research tool into a sustainable open-source project;
+- a student contribution into valuable professional experience;
+- a workshop into access to new knowledge and skills;
+- an introduction into a project, partnership, mentorship, or job opportunity;
+- a local need into an international collaboration.
+
+No Ambassador needs to solve every problem. The strength of the program comes
+from a network that shares relationships, knowledge, experience, and
+opportunities across regions and disciplines.
+
+## What can an OSL Ambassador do?
+
+Ambassadors choose activities that fit their community and experience. They may:
+
+- build relationships with universities, laboratories, researchers, student
+  groups, open-source communities, nonprofits, companies, foundations, funders,
+  public organizations, conferences, and other aligned groups;
+- listen to researchers, students, developers, and communities, then bring their
+  needs and ideas back to OSL;
+- connect people with OSL projects, contributors, mentors, learning activities,
+  research collaborations, or professional opportunities when available;
+- help researchers explore how software, datasets, educational resources, or
+  other work could become open and community-supported;
+- organize workshops, lectures, hackathons, project clinics, mentoring sessions,
+  contributor onboarding, or open-science discussions;
+- introduce potential collaborators and help shape proposals involving research,
+  education, software, consulting, outreach, or community building;
+- identify grants, sponsorships, infrastructure, expertise, event support, or
+  other resources that may help open-science work;
+- represent OSL at relevant events and help form local open-science communities;
+- create reusable guides, presentations, translations, tutorials, case studies,
+  workshop materials, or community reports;
+- help other Ambassadors develop initiatives and make useful connections.
+
+Meaningful Ambassador work creates a relationship, opportunity, resource, or
+outcome. Simply reposting OSL content on social media does not normally count as
+an Ambassador activity by itself.
+
+## Who can apply?
+
+The program is intended for people who already have an established relationship
+with OSL. Applicants should:
+
+1. be an active contributor to at least one OSL project, program, working group,
+   community initiative, or other recognized activity;
+2. normally have at least **three months of involvement with OSL** and have made
+   meaningful contributions;
+3. understand OSL's mission, projects, values, and community culture;
+4. care about helping other people and communities grow, rather than using the
+   role only for self-promotion;
+5. be willing to listen, build relationships, share opportunities, and
+   collaborate openly with contributors and other Ambassadors;
+6. communicate activities, opportunities, and challenges back to OSL;
+7. follow the OSL Code of Conduct and Ambassador guidelines; and
+8. be at least 18 years old.
+
+Contributions are not limited to software. Research, documentation, project
+management, mentoring, review, translation, design, communications, teaching,
+events, outreach, writing, partnerships, fundraising support, and community
+infrastructure can all demonstrate meaningful participation. When work is not
+publicly visible, an OSL lead, maintainer, mentor, or initiative coordinator may
+confirm it.
+
+Eligibility is considered through three principles:
+
+- **Contribution:** the applicant knows OSL through meaningful participation.
+- **Trust:** OSL can reasonably expect the applicant to represent the community
+  responsibly.
+- **Purpose:** the applicant shares our commitment to opportunity, learning,
+  social impact, and mutual growth.
+
+Meeting the requirements does not guarantee acceptance because public
+representation requires additional trust and responsibility.
+
+## How to apply
+
+Applications are submitted through GitHub using the **OSL Ambassador
+Application** issue template. The application link will be published on this
+page when it is available.
+
+Applicants will describe:
+
+- their current OSL involvement and examples of contributions;
+- the communities, institutions, disciplines, regions, and languages they know;
+- why they want to become an Ambassador and what helping people grow means to
+  them;
+- relevant experience helping people learn, connect, or find opportunities;
+- needs they see in their community and ideas they want to explore;
+- the impact and activities they would like to pursue during the next year;
+- an OSL contributor who can confirm their participation; and
+- which profile information they consent to make public.
+
+Do not publish private contact information belonging to references or external
+contacts in a GitHub issue. Any necessary private verification will use an
+appropriate private channel.
+
+Applications are evaluated for established participation, mission alignment,
+community mindset, initiative, collaboration, respectful communication, and
+trust. Prestigious titles, large networks, or professional experience in public
+speaking, fundraising, or partnerships are not required. The program is also a
+place to develop those skills.
+
+## Ambassador term
+
+Active Ambassador status lasts **12 months** and may be renewed. A renewable
+term shows that the person is currently participating rather than holding a
+permanent credential.
+
+To remain active, an Ambassador should:
+
+- stay involved in at least one OSL project, program, initiative, or community
+  activity;
+- complete at least **two meaningful Ambassador activities during each rolling
+  six-month period**;
+- submit a brief check-in about every three months;
+- remain reasonably reachable; and
+- continue following the Code of Conduct and Ambassador guidelines.
+
+A check-in is a lightweight way to share what the Ambassador did, what they
+learned, what happened next, and how OSL can help. Public links to events,
+issues, presentations, repositories, photos, or other evidence are useful when
+available, but not every valuable conversation produces a public URL.
+
+Examples of qualifying activities include meeting a research group, creating a
+new university relationship, connecting students with projects, mentoring,
+organizing an event, giving a talk, developing a collaboration proposal, helping
+research become open source, identifying a partner or funding opportunity,
+creating a reusable resource, or helping another Ambassador's initiative.
+
+### Leave, inactive status, and renewal
+
+Ambassadors are volunteers with responsibilities outside OSL. Anyone who needs a
+break can request **On Leave** status without penalty and may return after
+confirming that they still meet the program requirements.
+
+OSL will normally contact an Ambassador before changing their status. Active
+status may end after six months without a qualifying activity, two missed
+check-ins without communication, departure from OSL participation, loss of
+contact, a voluntary decision to step down, failure to meet program
+requirements, or serious conduct or trust concerns.
+
+Near the end of a term, renewal uses a short review of continued participation,
+activities, lessons, interests, future plans, and agreement with program rules.
+Former Ambassadors who served in good standing may join the **OSL Ambassador
+Alumni** network and later apply to return. OSL may reserve **Ambassador
+Emeritus** as an honorary recognition for exceptional, sustained impact; it does
+not necessarily authorize current representation.
+
+### Public directory
+
+Active Ambassadors will be listed on the OSL website so others can verify their
+status. With each person's consent, a profile may include their name, photo,
+region, languages, interests, OSL work, biography, public links and contact
+method, activities, start date, current term, and status.
+
+Ambassadors choose which optional personal information is published. An
+institutional affiliation provides context; it does not imply that the
+institution endorses OSL or that the Ambassador represents it unless a separate
+relationship establishes that authority.
+
+## Representing Open Science Labs
+
+Ambassadors may introduce people to OSL, explain our mission, share public
+information, explore possible collaborations, organize approved community
+activities, meet with organizations, and bring proposals or opportunities back
+to the community.
+
+Ambassadorship does **not** authorize someone to make legal, financial,
+contractual, employment, or institutional commitments for OSL. Contracts,
+funding, sponsorships, grants, formal partnerships, employment, official
+endorsements, use of OSL assets, and similar commitments require approval from
+the appropriate OSL leadership. An Ambassador's role may simply be to open the
+door and connect the right people.
+
+Sensitive partnership discussions, personal information, confidential material,
+and early-stage opportunities should be shared only through appropriate private
+OSL channels. Transparency matters, but protecting people, trust, and
+relationships matters more.
+
+Ambassadors must follow the [Open Science Labs Code of Conduct](/about/coc/) in
+OSL activities and whenever they identify themselves as OSL Ambassadors,
+including at events, institutions, meetings, online communities, and on social
+media. Serious or repeated violations may lead to suspension or removal under
+OSL's community procedures.
+
+## What does OSL provide to Ambassadors?
+
+OSL aims to help Ambassadors build relationships rather than expecting them to
+work alone. As the program develops, support may include:
+
+- onboarding about OSL's mission, projects, and opportunities;
+- a dedicated space to communicate with Ambassadors around the world;
+- reusable presentations, outreach resources, and workshop materials;
+- help planning activities, preparing talks, and evaluating opportunities;
+- introductions to relevant contributors, specialists, and Ambassadors;
+- mentorship and opportunities to develop communication and leadership skills;
+- opportunities to present ideas and lessons to the wider community;
+- recognition, an official profile, and a time-limited credential; and
+- confirmation of verified contributions when appropriate.
+
+Specific activities may receive additional support when resources are available,
+but Ambassador status does not guarantee funding.
+
+## Volunteer participation
+
+The Ambassadors Program is voluntary and does not constitute employment by OSL.
+It does not guarantee employment, internships, contracts, travel or conference
+funding, grants, scholarships, sponsorship, or financial compensation.
+
+## What success looks like
+
+Success is measured by meaningful outcomes, not by the number of Ambassadors or
+social-media posts: a student finds a project, a researcher opens useful
+software, a community gains knowledge, a contributor becomes a mentor, an
+Ambassador develops leadership skills, or a new collaboration receives the
+support it needs.
+
+**We build the network so people can grow—and OSL grows with them.**
+
+## Become an OSL Ambassador
+
+If you already contribute to OSL, share our mission, and want to create
+opportunities for other people and communities, review the eligibility criteria
+and apply when the GitHub application link becomes available.
+
+Not yet eligible? Join the [Open Science Labs community](/discord/), contribute
+to a project or initiative, learn with us, and help others along the way.

pages/partnership/index.md

@@ -51,6 +51,18 @@ other community-led opportunities.
 Visit the [Community Partners](/partnership/community/) page to discover current
 opportunities or suggest an initiative for OSL to publicize.
 
+## Ambassadors Program
+
+The OSL Ambassadors Program is a global network of active contributors who build
+relationships, listen to community needs, connect people with useful
+opportunities, and help open science create positive social impact.
+
+Ambassadors work with universities, research groups, students, open-source
+communities, companies, nonprofits, funders, and other aligned communities. The
+program is built on a simple idea: we grow while helping others grow.
+
+[Explore the Ambassadors Program](/partnership/ambassadors/)
+
 ## How to Apply
 
 If your organization is interested in partnering with Open Science Labs, please

theme/ambassadors.html

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+{% extends "main.html" %}
+
+{% block header_extra %}
+<link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/ambassadors.css">
+{% endblock header_extra %}
+
+{% block content_inner %}
+{% set application_url = page.meta.get("application_url", "") %}
+
+<section class="ambassador-dashboard" aria-labelledby="ambassador-dashboard-title">
+  <div class="ambassador-dashboard__intro">
+    <p class="ambassador-eyebrow">At a glance</p>
+    <h2 id="ambassador-dashboard-title">A network built around people</h2>
+    <p>
+      Ambassadors listen first, connect communities with the wider OSL network,
+      and help turn shared needs into opportunities to learn and collaborate.
+    </p>
+
+    <div class="ambassador-actions">
+      {% if application_url %}
+        <a class="osl-inline-button" href="{{ application_url }}" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
+          Apply on GitHub
+        </a>
+      {% else %}
+        <span class="osl-inline-button ambassador-button--disabled" aria-disabled="true">
+          Application link coming soon
+        </span>
+      {% endif %}
+      <a class="osl-inline-button osl-inline-button--subtle" href="#who-can-apply">
+        Check eligibility
+      </a>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <dl class="ambassador-facts">
+    <div>
+      <dt>Active term</dt>
+      <dd><strong>12</strong> months</dd>
+    </div>
+    <div>
+      <dt>Meaningful activity</dt>
+      <dd><strong>2</strong> every 6 months</dd>
+    </div>
+    <div>
+      <dt>Community check-in</dt>
+      <dd>About every <strong>3</strong> months</dd>
+    </div>
+  </dl>
+</section>
+
+<nav class="ambassador-jump-nav" aria-label="Ambassadors Program sections">
+  <span>Explore the program</span>
+  <a href="#why-the-ambassadors-program-exists">Purpose</a>
+  <a href="#what-can-an-osl-ambassador-do">The role</a>
+  <a href="#who-can-apply">Eligibility</a>
+  <a href="#how-to-apply">How to apply</a>
+  <a href="#ambassador-term">Active service</a>
+  <a href="#representing-open-science-labs">Responsibility</a>
+  <a href="#what-does-osl-provide-to-ambassadors">Support</a>
+</nav>
+
+{{ page.content }}
+
+<section class="ambassador-application" aria-labelledby="ambassador-application-title">
+  <div>
+    <p class="ambassador-eyebrow">Your next step</p>
+    <h2 id="ambassador-application-title">Create opportunities with us</h2>
+    <p>
+      Already contributing to OSL and ready to help people and communities grow?
+      Review the eligibility criteria and tell us about the impact you want to
+      create.
+    </p>
+  </div>
+  <div class="ambassador-application__action">
+    {% if application_url %}
+      <a class="osl-inline-button" href="{{ application_url }}" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
+        Apply to become an OSL Ambassador
+      </a>
+    {% else %}
+      <span class="osl-inline-button ambassador-button--disabled" aria-disabled="true">
+        Application link coming soon
+      </span>
+      <small>The GitHub application link will be added here.</small>
+    {% endif %}
+  </div>
+</section>
+{% endblock content_inner %}