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Guide to Accountabilibuddies

History​

Accountabilibuddies began when Meg and two other VC members decided to pick a time to meet to do job searching activities together because let's face it – the job search is a SLOG. It was much more bearable when in the presence of company. Our group grew as more members joined and eventually Meg found a JOB! However, she didn't want to stop hosting Accountabilibuddies – so many people found refuge in this space – so it became advertised as a more general accountability group for those wanting a block of time set aside each week to get things done.

Host Duties​

Be sure to read through the Guide to Hosting a Coffee Table Group documentation to gain an understanding of what is expected of you as a Coffee Table Host.

Read on for additional info specific to Accountabilibuddies Hosts.

Creating Breakout Rooms​

It's important to create breakout rooms for attendees who need an alternative space. It may be to concentrate if it gets too chatty in the main room, screenshare and debug an issue, or practice an upcoming presentation. Whatever the need, we as Hosts should try our best to fulfill it.

We usually go with three breakout rooms and name them something like:

  • Focus room
  • Pair programming
  • Something to do with the current monthly challenge (if applicable)

Greeting Attendees​

Each Accountabilibuddies meeting has its handful of regulars, but we get new attendees from time to time as well! When this happens, explain to them what Accountabilibuddies is all about. Here's a blurb to help you:

Accountabilibuddies is a Coffee Table Group meant to act as a timeblock in your calendar each week for you to get things done. Everyone here arrives with their own tasks, TODOs, and projects and gets to work, giving each other support and updates on their individual progress along the way. You become not only accountable to yourself, but also your friends you meet here every week!

Let them know that there are breakout rooms available for use and that they can switch between the breakout rooms and main room at their will. Lastly, inform them of the regularly scheduled Accountabilibuddies meeting time and let them know that they're welcome to come and go as they please during this time.

If you make a Slack post for your Accountabilibuddies meeting, ask them if they would like to be added to the weekly Slack reminder post as well!

Lateness/Abesenteeism​

Be sure to arrive to the meeting on time. If you can't make a meeting, or you'll be running late, check in with your Co-host to make sure they'll be present. If you both have a conflict, drop a message in the #vc-accountabilibuddies-hosts Slack channel to see if any of the other Hosts can cover for you. If not, Meg will cancel the meeting.

Vibe Dictates Itinerary​

Each Accountabilibuddies group has different regulars and a different vibe. When deciding an itinerary for Accountabilibuddies, we've found it's best to feel out the group and structure it around what works for the natural flow of that particular group.

The Quad (Tuesday Meeting)​

The Hosts should be sure to get into the Zoom room a minute or two early so they have enough time to set up the breakout rooms before the event begins. For this iteration of Accountabilibuddies, having a dedicated Pomodoro breakout room is a must.

7:00–7:30 PM ET​

First Pomodoro session – 25 minutes, 5 minute break

7:30–8:00 PM ET​

Second Pomodoro session – 25 minutes, 5 minute break

8:00–8:30 PM ET​

Third Pomodoro session – 25 minutes, 5 minute break

8:30–9:00 PM ET​

Last Pomodoro session – 25 minutes, 5 minute break

The Breakfast Club (Thursday Meeting)​

9:00-9:45/10:00 AM ET​

This time is akin to our random chatter before Virtual Coffee announcements. People (read: Meg) are still waking up and getting to their computers. By the first half hour, we usually have a good group online so we get some chit-chat in before settling down.

10:00–11:40 AM ET​

We've decided that 10:00 AM is our "buckle down" time and any chatter after that should be focused on helping each other with the tasks at hand. This period is treated much like the #co-working-room atmosphere. We're all mainly concentrated on our various tasks. Someone will break the silence occasionally and we chat for a few minutes, but then we get back into the workflow.

At 11:40 AM, we shut down the Zoom room to allow attendees ample time for a break before Virtual Coffee begins at noon.