Hello everyone 
While analyzing meet-up data for my post
Community-Led Local Guides Meet-ups in 2025: An Overview (January 2026),
I came across an important insight:
Out of 635 meet-ups, 117 recaps (18%) were still pending
This raised a key question about engagement and follow-through.
Around the same time, a comment from Connect Moderator MortenCopenhagen made me reflect deeply on another aspect of our community:
Who can attract signups and actually ensure participation?
From Data to Direction: My Journey So Far
To address these gaps, I initiated:
Introducing the Monthly Community-Led Meet-up Leaderboard
However, I received valuable feedback that such a leaderboard might unintentionally create a race, potentially compromising the quality of meet-ups.
Taking this concern seriously, I paused, reflected, and redesigned the approach.
Introducing “Recap of Recaps” Series
Instead of focusing on competition, I shifted towards quality, transparency, and learning:
-
Recap of Recaps: February 2026 Community-Led Meetups (Published in March) -
Continued the series in April
Key Observations:
February 2026 (as of 23 March):
19 recaps (22%) were pending- 16 recaps (17%) had no participant details
Several had incomplete participant lists
March 2026 (as of 23 April):
71% recap completion rate (24 out of 83 still pending)- 18 recaps (22%) had no participant details
What Needs Attention?
To make meet-up recaps more impactful, please follow the community guidelines outlined here: How to write a great meet-up recap. Additionally in order to my series of Recap of Recaps I would like to request
Clearly mention total number of participants
Include usernames of participants
Because truly,
Community-led meet-ups are the heart of Local Guides Connect
They help us learn, connect, and grow together.
My Continued Efforts Towards Community Building
This journey is not new for me.
- Since March 2025, I have been consistently welcoming new members by congratulating them on achieving the New Friend badge
- I have contributed to monthly introduction threads:
Despite these efforts, I often wondered:
Are new Local Guides actually reading and engaging?
Even simple poll participation remains very low.
A Concerning Insight
While preparing
I observed that:
Some Local Guides who earned all three basic badges (New Friend, Newly Popular, New Writer) in a single day
did not return to Connect afterward
Awareness Has Always Been My Focus
In
Growing the Community: Awareness Matters
I emphasized:
Let’s ensure that no new Local Guide misses out on Connect due to lack of awareness.
This post was also pinned by former Googler DeniGu (Feb 2025).
From “Community Builder Badge” to Real Action
During Connect Moderator JanVanHaver’s podcast (Episode 52 – 10 Years of Local Guides), I proposed the idea of a “Community Builder” badge.
Today, my focus has evolved:
It’s not about the badge anymore
It’s about recognizing and strengthening community builders
Introducing the Local Connectors Community
With all these experiences and insights,
I would like to propose the creation of an:
Unofficial community led “Local Connectors" Community within Local Guides Connect
Purpose:
- Strengthen community building efforts
- Improve meet-up quality and recap culture
- Work towards 100% recap completion
- Ensure recognition of every participant
- Increase engagement of new Local Guides
How to Join?
If your thoughts align with this vision:
Comment on this post
Or send me a DM
We can then connect virtually and
co-create a structured approach forward
