11:30am - 11:55am PDT Goal: 5m at the end for Q&A Description: Open source is full of passion projects - but passion doesn't scale. Too often, a single maintainer carries the entire weight of a repo, and when life changes - new job, new priorities, or just plain burnout - the project fades. The bus factor is real, and it's not a fun way to run a community.There's a better way: run your projects as an organization. An org spreads responsibility, fosters new leaders, and makes your code resilient enough to outlast you. It's not just about sustainability - it's about building a community that thrives.And here's the kicker: running as an org also unlocks a treasure chest of free (for FOSS) tools and services. From free hosting and GitHub Copilot, to shared credentials and transparent funding, these benefits can supercharge your project without draining your wallet. I'll share lessons from joining the Psake org and starting PSInclusive, showing how orgs can create healthier teams, better tools, and projects that actually live on. Key Take-Aways from your session: - Understand why single-maintainer projects burn out—and how orgs prevent it. - Learn how orgs foster collaboration, leadership, and sustainability. - Discover free-for-FOSS services (hosting, Copilot, credential sharing, funding). - See real-world examples from Psake and PSInclusive. - Leave with practical steps to move your project from fragile to future-proof.
Author slide
org including a mindset shift
Show of hands, how many people have an open source project? Contributed to open source projects?
This turns into a job.
Not like any other type of injury. On a "lighter note"
For those who aren't familiar, the "bus factor" is the idea that if someone where inadvertently hit by a bus and passes away, then all the tribal knowledge would be lost.
Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@nataliepedigo?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Natalie Pedigo</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/silhouette-of-people-standing-on-highland-during-golden-hours-wJK9eTiEZHY?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>
You are now convinced.
Started by James Kovacs Learned about it via Stucco (Brandon Olin aka DevBlackOps) Transition: My first project was documentation.
Previously using Keybase All on Github
First learned about it via Pester "Financial toll"
It starts with a mind set shift. A healthy project attracts community. Community
Target: 11:50a Q&A for the last 5M