Azure Tech Groups program guide

Getting started

Local user groups provide an opportunity for developers and those interested in learning new technologies to meet up with other professionals, students, and enthusiasts in their area. These groups provide an environment for networking, learning new skills, collaborating on projects, and sharing expertise. Azure Tech Groups connects local Azure user groups with each other, with Microsoft experts, and with the broader Azure technical community.

Program benefits

As part of the Azure Tech Groups program, groups receive support, inspiration, a deeper connection to the Azure community, and the following benefits:

Program communications

Group leaders and co-leaders will receive regular communications from Microsoft with news, program updates and highlights, information about upcoming events, learning opportunities, and helpful resources. Group leaders and co-leaders are regularly invited to participate in online calls with the Microsoft team. Invitations and agendas are sent prior to each call.

Azure Tech Groups - Leaders Hub

As a leader of a group, you will have access to the Azure Tech Groups - Leaders Hub on Microsoft Tech Community. This is a dedicated hub where you can connect with other members of Azure Tech Groups and the Microsoft team in the Discussions; read about important news, updates, and features in the Blog; and share best practices, suggestions, and other inspiration in Ideas.

Group leaders and co-leaders are granted access as part of the onboarding process and can view content immediately. To participate, leaders must first join Microsoft Tech Community and, as part of the application process for Azure Tech Groups, share their Tech Community user ID. Once those steps are complete, leaders are sent an email invitation to join the private hub. The email will be sent to the address associated with Tech Community and will come from “Microsoft Community Hub” with the subject line “You’ve been invited!”.

To find your user ID:

1. Go to https://techcommunity.microsoft.com.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
3. Click on your avatar in the top right, and select My Profile.
4. The number at the end of the URL is your user ID.

Example: The user ID for "https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/123456" is 123456.

Resources and tools

Whether you are hosting in-person or virtual meetups, you can find useful resources and tools to support your meetings. Check out Azure Tech Community to find or share content.

Program requirements

To join and remain in the Azure Tech Groups program, your group must comply with the following criteria (subject to change):

• Have a group leader and designated co-leader who have each accepted the terms and conditions.
• Do not charge members a fee to attend group meetings, except in cases in which the venue or hosting costs (for example, food and beverages) are passed through to members.
• Maintain a published code of conduct that is easily accessible from the group's homepage,
• Comply with the Azure Tech Groups program's Code of Conduct.
• Adhere to Microsoft’s Trademark and Brand guidelines, when using any Microsoft trademarks or referring to Microsoft’s software, products or services (see https://www.microsoft.com/trademarks).
• Maintain a regular meeting cadence and have at least six meetings per year that relate to or cover Azure products and services.
• Maintain a public-facing website or online presence that is accessible to non-members.

Group leadership

Groups participating in Azure Tech Groups are asked to identify both a group leader and a co-leader who will act as the primary and secondary contacts for the group. This ensures that if the leadership of a group changes over time, it won't be orphaned out of the program due to lack of a valid contact.

Leadership changes

We understand operations and leadership of groups may change over time. If the group leader or co-leader is leaving the group, the Azure Tech Groups program team should be notified via email by the group leader at azure-tech-groups@microsoft.com to ensure group information is updated.

Fee-free experience

To lower the barrier to entry and ensure access is available to as many participants as possible, Azure Tech Groups program members should not charge an admission fee for meetings. However, certain pass-through costs are allowed (that is, venue, beverage, and other hosting fees).

Code of conduct

People are the foundation of a community. For a community to thrive, it must encourage diversity of thought and enable the safety of its members. Microsoft is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion. All Microsoft employees enjoy a safe work environment and a culture of mutual respect and responsibility. Our team members and community partners should enjoy the same environment and as such we require that group leaders participating in the Azure Tech Groups program follow as well as manage their groups to follow the Azure Tech Groups program Code of Conduct.

Conduct issues seldom arise. But when they do, they are often very public and very passionate. It is best for the community to be prepared with:

• A clear and accessible Code of Conduct that states the norms under which projects or events operate.
  • Encourage behaviors and community guidelines.
  • List common behaviors that are prohibited (for example, harassment).
• An issue resolution process for addressing cases where these norms are not being maintained.

A code of conduct is required to be displayed on your group public-facing landing page or website. If you don't currently have a code of conduct, review the following examples:

• Azure Tech Groups Code of Conduct
• Microsoft Tech Community Code of Conduct

Meeting cadence

Many groups cover a broad range of topics throughout the year. Your group should host a minimum of six meetups related to Azure each year. As the tech landscape evolves rapidly, we recommend that these are scheduled throughout the year so you can take advantage of the most up-to-date content for the latest releases of products and services.

Leaving the program

If your group no longer wants to be part of Azure Tech Groups, we would like to hear from you. Group leaders should contact the Azure Tech Groups team at azure-tech-groups@microsoft.com.