Wow ! This is amazing @Julie_A here are my answers :
1. Where are you from? Mumbai, India
2. When did you join Connect? I joined Connect in 2020
3. How did you learn about Connect in the first place? I got an email to be a part of this program and registered.
4. What time of the day/week do you like to check what’s new on Connect? Most of the times I check Connect during my commute time to the office or anytime during the weekend whenever I have some spare time at my hands!
5. Have you attended or hosted a meet-up on Connect? Yes, of course! I love attending and hosting meet-ups ! In fact, I started these meet-up series -
1. #MapsForAll (focusing on Accessibility, Inclusion and Diversity on Maps)
2. #GoGreenWithMaps (focusing on eco-friendly and sustainability topics using Maps)
3. #HandmadeHeritageSeries (focusing on promoting local handmade artisan shops and businesses through Maps)
I like both virtual and in-person meet-ups! I completely recommend them, especially the in-person ones if you have the chance.
6. What’s your favorite moment on Connect?
I loved meeting like-minded and passionate Local Guides on Connect through various virtual meet-ups for supporting noble causes and small local businesses hosted specially during Covid times as that made us all feel connected with the world ! One of my favourite moment I remeber during early days on Connect was my very first meet-up conducted virtually in 2020 on Connect where we had Local Guide musicians performing from all over the world ! We bonded over our love for music ! My other favorite moments include the many days when I was featured like when I became Accessibility Champion , Meet-up Champion, Guiding Star (twice) and when I became the Connect Moderator ! These features not only made me feel appreciated but also motivated me to keep doing the good work of spreading kindness and awareness about noble causes ! I am happy to have a forum where I and many of us can give our voice to causes that matter !
7. Tell us about one Connect feature that you love.
I love the new categories ! Also the new “Meet-up” board makes it easy to add or register our new meet-ups in a hassle free manner !
8. What one feature would you add to Connect if you could?
I’d love to have a “Theme of the Month” feature — where we have a list of current Ongoing challenges/ meet-up series based on a theme for that month so that anyone who wishes to participate can do by just adding their meet-up or post entry link there. This will also avoid duplication of efforts and multiple folks starting the same challenge or series !
9. Tell us about one thing you’re planning to share or do on Connect this year.
I definitely wanted to have more women and allied Local Guides to feel included and introduced on this amazing forum and hence I had planned to start the "Women & Allied series” this year on Connect. So far the response has been fantastic and I am glad many new women & allied Local Guides are now joining the forum and feel appreciated for their contributions ! Thanks to you , @DeniGu , @Latika_Malhotra and everyone from the Google Team for making this happen !