Program Overview
The HackerSquad Volunteer Program empowers passionate developers and community builders to become local champions of learning, innovation, and collaboration. Our volunteers help expand the reach and impact of HackerSquad events while building their own leadership skills and professional network.
HackerSquad isn't just Hack Night - it's a platform for diverse developer events, from focused workshops to collaborative hackathons. Our volunteers help make every format successful and engaging.
Our Mission
To create a network of developer advocates who foster inclusive learning environments, accelerate community growth, and build meaningful connections between developers, companies, and emerging technologies across all HackerSquad event formats.
Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
- Event Support: Help with logistics, registration, and attendee engagement across all event types
- Community Building: Create welcoming environments for newcomers at every event
- Content Curation: Identify speakers, topics, and workshop ideas for various event formats
- Mentorship: Guide participants through projects, demos, and learning experiences
- Feedback Collection: Gather insights to continuously improve all HackerSquad events
Advanced Opportunities
- Event Format Development: Help design and test new types of developer events
- Regional Leadership: Launch HackerSquad events in new cities and communities
- Speaker & Workshop Coordination: Build relationships with companies and technical experts
- Partnership Development: Connect with local tech communities and potential sponsors
- Digital Community: Support online platforms and maintain engagement between events
Badge System & Squad Progression
HackerSquad Badges are technical challenges created by partner companies that demonstrate real-world skills and expertise. Each badge represents completion of a company-sponsored challenge, reviewed and curated by the HackerSquad team.
How Badges Work:
- Company-Created ChallengesTech companies design challenges showcasing their tools, APIs, or interesting problems.
- Curated ContentHackerSquad reviews and creates supporting content, tutorials, and resources.
- Skill DemonstrationParticipants complete challenges and submit their solutions.
- Community RecognitionBadge earners get public recognition and showcase their achievements.
- Career ValueBadges demonstrate practical skills to potential employers and collaborators.
Badge Categories:
API Integration
Build something cool with a company's API or platform.
Open Source Contribution
Contribute to a company's open-source projects.
Technical Writing
Create tutorials or documentation for developer tools.
Innovation Challenge
Solve unique problems posed by partner companies.
Community Building
Help organize events or create content for specific technologies.
Squad Hierarchy
Squad Member
1 Badge + attend 2 HackerSquad events
Commitment:
5-10 hours/month
Focus:
Learning event operations, supporting attendees, continuing badge collection
Benefits:
- Exclusive HackerSquad volunteer Discord access
- HackerSquad gear and swag package
- Volunteer recognition certificate
- Early access to new badge challenges
- Public badge showcase on HackerSquad platform
Squad Captain
3 Badges + demonstrate community leadership
Commitment:
10-15 hours/month, mentoring new volunteers
Focus:
Leading event activities, building community connections, helping others earn badges
Benefits:
- All Squad Member benefits
- Quarterly check-ins with HackerSquad and Weaviate leadership
- Annual conference ticket sponsorship
- Access to exclusive badge previews and beta challenges
- Invitation to HackerSquad volunteer meetups and networking events
- Ability to help design and test new badge challenges
Squad Commander
10 Badges + lead regional community growth
Commitment:
15-20 hours/month
Focus:
Strategic community growth, badge program development, partnership building
Benefits:
- All previous benefits
- Annual HackerSquad/Weaviate HQ visit opportunity
- Speaking opportunities at major developer conferences
- Direct input on HackerSquad platform and badge system development
- Partnership opportunities with badge sponsor companies
- Potential consulting and collaboration opportunities with Weaviate and partners
Joining the Squad
Ready to make an impact? Start by exploring badge challenges and attending HackerSquad events!