Umbraco legend Ravi Motha shares what it truly means to be an Umbraco MVP, from community meetups and coding to speaking opportunities and career growth.
I recently saw a LinkedIn post about the Umbraco MVP programme, and an opening of an invitation to register to be considered an MVP, and it got me thinking.
Why do I do it? And why did I, and why should others?
I had dabbled in open-source software through an old colleague at Logica, Nick Sanders, using PHP, Linux, and other bits and bobs, and was always grateful for people who coded on their own time. I was mostly too busy going to the pub once I finished work.
But in 2010, I was introduced to Umbraco and tech Meetups, and as convenient would have it, the meeting was on my way home.
Now what? Why did I want to be an MVP in the first place?
So let's be honest, I had no aspiration to be an MVP; I held those people who contributed code as godlike figureheads, living in an ambrosia-filled land or a pub near Bristol.
My original purpose for contributing was to meet others I could possibly hire for contract work (Yes, it was that selfish). But what I found was more.
After a while and a couple of other jobs, I found myself back at an agency that worked with Umbraco and ran the Umbraco Meetup (which I had been attending even though I wasn't working directly with Umbraco). In my time there, I started helping out.
I eventually took over the Umbraco Meetup, and I am still here. I was doing this all before MVP was a thing, and I was happy to have an excuse to go to the pub with my friends.
Finding the true meaning of being an MVP
In 2016, the HQ realised that many other people were contributing beyond just code and that their contributions were just as valuable in different ways.
I was offered an MVP-ship, and tbh I actually said...
"Are you sure? There has to be someone better than me? I won’t be offended if you gave it to someone else."
Running the meetup was a thing I did; it was never meant to be anything more than that. In some ways, it still isn't.
The reason I keep volunteering goes beyond the MVP (some would say stupidity, or I have a small drinking problem), but being an MVP has actually gone beyond that as well.
Sure, I got jobs, people knew me, asked if I was available, it helps in interviews, if you are an MVP of something (even if it was being my mum's MVP - this is great, but doesn't help as much in interviews as you would have thought).
But it got me to know the people who build the things, see how they work, and take ideas and inspiration (whether it was the folder architecture suggested by Matt Brailsford or seeing how Hendy Racher and Jeavon Leopold work).
Coding
It's made my code better. I haven't contributed a ton of code, but when I have, it’s shown me ways of doing things, I've unlearnt anti-patterns, and I have learnt better patterns.
Code surfing and code contributions are the best ways to get better, and always be kind to the Collabs. The time, effort, and love people put into making code and your work easier are astounding. I see you, James South.
Speaking
As I said earlier, code is not the only way to get those three letters alongside your name; getting up and speaking has also opened up opportunities, both to share learnings and also to use as a shameless self-promotion tool, but to access a wider world.
This time last year, I was asked to speak at the Umbraco Down Under festival...and while not cheap, it was an experience I will treasure.
I know others who started at Umbraco London are now MVPs and speakers, invited to bigger tech events (Imran Haider recently gave a well-received talk at a conference in Montreal).
Friendships
The biggest thing? I have also made friends in and around the UK by attending events and being in the Umbraco community. The ability to talk tech, its uses, and learn about them is gold. It's not all about the quid pro quo and getting back what you give. Things like free help, licences, walkthroughs, demos, or advice happen because of generosity and curiosity, not because there's a deal attached.
Jousting at windmills
So much like Don Quixote, who was constantly charging at windmills (he thought they were giants), I encourage you to charge into the unknown and make a contribution; you never know where it can lead you.
You may think your idea is small, but from small things to BIG things grow…
Clichéd but true
So I hope to see you contributing somewhere 🙌
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