Hi everyone,
I am Omer from Pakistan and this is what I feel about Local Guides program. ?
To me Local guides program is a combination of few very important things such as Technology, community, ability to share,learn and adapt.
On the inside, I personally take it as a moral code of conduct to be able to add value to my immediate and extended communities and help millions of people around the world.
I believe I have 3 elements that always keep me on my feet and push me to explore more, which later became a passion to continue contributing using Google Maps for the Local Guides program. [Ready, Get-set, Go…]
1 - I am very passionate about photography and I focus on small things around my perspective.
2 - As long as I remember I always loved experimenting food and to try out local restaurants for the delicacies and authentic taste, whenever and wherever I travel.
3 - I am an academic, so, writing, sharing and reviewing is embedded in my DNA.
Putting all these flavors together, Google Maps became my perfect tool to update information on local businesses, take quality photos for restaurants and architectures around me and to be able to push this information that helps millions to take informed decisions.
Since 2016, I am actively participating on LocalGuidesConnect (or Connect as we simply call it) and that has become one of my major drives to satisfy my passion for the love of community building. I am very happy that I manage to write over here and share my views with millions of Local Guides around the world.
One of the most important factor to be part of this program and the reason why its so special to me is a sense of belonging, a sense of appreciation. Even though, we are mostly virtually connected, but the sheer love and respect keeps us connected like a virtual family.
It is very interesting that nowadays, most of us reach out to Local Guides in their countries and cities before travelling, because we know that we can trust them and we can get the most valuable ground knowledge and recommendations from them, something which was completely impossible before the Local Guides program.
Growing up in 90s, I have experienced the rise and fall of many communities and boards but nothing ever came close to LocalGuides community because over here we are all race, religion, politics and greed free and have one common goal to make maps better so that people can get the right information whenever they need it the most. I think that holds a very special value of this program and its associated members in my heart. We are always evolving, always helping each other, we always correct each other but still we are always together. That is something to be experienced and cannot be put properly in words.
I also think that Local Guides program is probably the best example of crowd-sourcing to achieve something so big and valuable that perhaps its part of our everyday lives, now. Imagine a day without Google Maps? Or more precisely, a day without LocalGuides contributing to Maps? (nah, let’s skip that bit)
That’s why I have huge love and respect for my community and the little things that we do.
That is one of the reasons I try my best to stay active, contribute not only on maps but somehow try to add value to localguidesconnect as well (Please check out my BRAG PIT ?)
I always stand for “quality over quantity” and since last October, I have started focusing more on quality content and making our community spam free. I was lucky enough to be chosen as a connect moderator and since then I am trying to reach out to people who need help, to fight spam and somehow keep the community motivated (every next step comes with more responsibility, right?).
and when you do it all right and get super lucky, guess what happens …
Part of these activities also include introducing the Local Guides program to my friends and people around me to be able to build a positive contributing force in my neighborhood. These fine folks below joined me for a casual weekend meetup and towards the end, joined the local guides program, how cool is that ?
Finally, when you get to a ConnectLive event, that completely transforms you into a better person as well as a great Local Guide. You get to meet so many passionate individuals from around the world who are always trying to improve maps and local guides program. The networking, energy, ideas and positive vibes really push you to do more.
The biggest benefit? you add hundreds of amazing people in your extended family every year and that part is pure luxury.
I am so happy to be part of this amazing community and really hope to see my people at Connect Live 2020
cheers
::BRAG PIT::?
GIFs - I love designing GIFs/Stickers for my Community and the awesome response is over 20M views
Instagam Filters - My Local Guides LIVE filters for Instagram/Snapchat were used over 10K times
Also, I had fun playing with these filters and to be able to see them on LIVE screens during CL19
. wish you goodluck with your application and hope to see you soon for CL20
Liked the PITs 
it’s like I was watching every thing live while reading your post, your words are full of life and expressions. You are so right , now I cannot imagine life without Google Maps? Or more precisely, a day without LocalGuides contributing to Maps?
, I hope to see you at CL20. I need to learn how you do those filters and GIF image very nice