Home on BWRGY

Developer Onboarding

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Getting Started

Welcome to the development team! This guide will help you get up to speed with our codebase, workflows, and team culture. Make sure you’ve checked out our General Onboarding beforehand. Follow the steps below to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.

Prerequisites

Complete these prerequisites before Call 1.

1. GitLab Access Setup

We use GitLab as our primary development and project management platform.

See GitLab Guide for application overview and setup instructions.

Environment Setup

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Overview

This guide will help you get our documentation (Hugo) website running locally for development and contribution.

Prerequisites: Before beginning, ensure you’ve completed the GitLab setup in our handbook, including SSH key configuration and repository access.

Step 1: Install Required Tools

macOS:

brew install hugo git go

export GOPATH=$HOME/go
export PATH=$PATH:$GOPATH/bin

source ~/.zshrc # or source ~/.bashrc

Windows:

Download Hugo from releases page
Download Git from git-scm.com
Download Go from golang.org/dl
Add all tools to your PATH environment variable

Linux:

Brand Identity

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Mission, vision, and values
Brand personality and positioning
Target audience definition
Brand promise and key messaging

Content Style Guide

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Organization’s writing voice and tone
Grammar, punctuation, and formatting standards
Terminology and word choices
Basic writing rules everyone must follow

Content Writer

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Responsibilities

Content Strategy and Brand Voice: Develop and maintain consistent messaging and tone across multiple platforms and channels, ensuring cohesive brand communication and engagement. Create content frameworks, style guides, and editorial calendars that align with organizational goals and audience needs.
Writing and Editorial: Produce clear, compelling, and accessible content including website copy, blog articles, documentation, and marketing materials. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure content accuracy, brand alignment, and optimal user experience across all touchpoints.

Contributing

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Overview

Please Do

Check if there is an existing issue before submitting a new one
Open an issue if:
- Something isn’t working as expected
- You’re proposing a significant change
- You’re suggesting a new feature
Open a merge request (MR) to:
- Implement a change discussed in an issue (link the related issue)

In general, open an issue before submitting a merge request. It improves visibility, avoids duplicate work, and allows early feedback.

Design Principles

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Accessibility-first design principles
User personas and target audience definitions
User research methods (interviews, testing, surveys)
Usability guidelines and standards
Design decision-making framework

Designer

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Responsibilities

Visual Design and Branding: Develop and maintain consistent visual identities across multiple subdomains (websites), ensuring cohesive branding and aesthetic appeal. Create wireframes, mockups, and prototypes that align with user experience (UX) best practices and project requirements.
User Interface (UI) Design: Design intuitive, responsive, and accessible user interfaces that enhance usability across various devices. Collaborate with developers to implement designs and ensure they are accurately translated into functional web pages.
Graphic Design and Content Creation: Produce high-quality graphics, illustrations, and other visual content to support marketing campaigns, social media, and website content. Ensure all designs adhere to accessibility standards and reflect the brand’s voice.

Requirements

Technical Skills: Proficiency in design tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Figma. Experience with responsive and adaptive design principles, and knowledge of colour theory, typography, and layout design. Basic understanding of HTML/CSS for better communication with developers.
Soft Skills: Creative problem-solving ability, strong attention to detail, and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams, and an openness to feedback and iterative design processes.

Digital Marketing

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Responsibilities

Digital Campaign Management: Develop and execute comprehensive digital marketing campaigns across multiple platforms to increase brand awareness and drive engagement with Tibetan cultural content.
Social Media Strategy and Analytics: Manage social media presence, create engaging content calendars, and analyze performance metrics to optimize reach and audience engagement across platforms.
SEO and Content Optimization: Implement SEO strategies to improve website visibility, optimize content for search engines, and drive organic traffic to support platform growth objectives.

Requirements

Digital Marketing Expertise: Proven experience with digital marketing tools and platforms including social media management, Google Analytics, SEO tools, and email marketing systems. Knowledge of content marketing and paid advertising preferred.
Strategic Skills: Strong analytical abilities for campaign performance assessment, creative thinking for content strategy development, and excellent communication skills for cross-team collaboration and audience engagement.

Element

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Overview

Element is an app used for chat and collaboration, built on the Matrix protocol. Think of it like Gmail, but for messaging—secure, private, and decentralised. It’s a secure alternative to platforms like Slack.

Key Features

Secure & Private: End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for all messages.
Decentralized: No single company controls your account.
Flexible: Works with multiple apps and can bridge to WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord.

Element Structure

🏢 Spaces: Groups of related rooms (e.g., team, topic, project). Can be nested.
💬 Rooms: Where conversations happen. Public or private. Private rooms are encrypted.
🔑 Roles: Admin (manage settings), Moderator (manage content), Member (participate).

User Setup Steps

Step 1: Create your account: https://app.element.io.

Google Page Rank Analysis

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Page 1 Rankings

Keyword	General (News, Edu, etc.)	Operated by Non-Tibetans	Operated by Tibetans	Operated in China
tibet	6 (Wikipedia, Britannica, BBC, Aljazeera)	3 (ICT, Free Tibet, ITN)	1 (CTA)	0
is tibet a country?	9 (Wikipedia, BBC, Britannica, ToI, Cultural Survival, IAUNRC, Freedom House)	1 (Free Tibet)	0	0
tibetan art	7 (Wikipedia, Met Museum, Pinterest, Brown, Britannica, New World Encyclopedia)	0	2 (Norbulingka (e-com))	1
tibetan buddhism	9 (Wikipedia, Britannica, Khan Academy, BBC, Brown, Tricycle, Delhi University, Isha)	0	1 (Sakya)	0
tibetan culture	7 (Wikipedia, NY Times, Britannica, Study, Cultural Survival, JSTOR)	1 (Free Tibet)	0	2 (Tibet Travel, Wonders of Tibet)
tibet history	5 (Wikipedia, Study, Britannica, BBC)	4 (ICT, Tibet House (US), Free Tibet)	1 (CTA)	0
prayer flags	8 (Wikipedia, Amazon, Folk Bazar (e-com), Mountain Kingdoms, G Adventures, Study, Dharma Shop, India Times)	0	2 (Tibetan Nuns Project)	0
tibetan festival	3 (Trekking Plus, Wikipedia, Third Rock Adventures)	0	0	7 (Tibet Travel, Tibet Tour, Tibetan Guide, Great Tibet Tour, Wonders of Tibet)
losar festival	10 (Wikipedia, Shiyomi, Outlook traveller, Fab Hotels, ToI, CNBC, Bank Bazar, Tour My India, Utsav)	0	0	0
is tibet part of china?	8 (Wikipedia, ToI, BBC, CECC, Cultural Survival, Study)	2 (Free Tibet)	0	0
tibet map	6 (Wikipedia, Britannica, Google, BBC, Library of Congress)	2 (Free Tibet, ITN)	2 (CTA, SFT)	0
tibetan language	9 (Wikipedia, Britannica, Australian National University, Max Planck Uni, Kansas Uni, Chicago Uni, E Alliance)	0	0	1 (Tibet Travel)
tibetan uprising day	4 (Wikipedia, Indian Express, National Today)	2 (Free Tibet, ICT)	4 (SFT, Universal Compassion Foundation, CTA)	0
tibet news	4 (Wikipedia, Indian Express, National Today)	2 (ICT, Free Tibet)	3 (CTA, VoT, Phayul)	0
tibet china	7 (Wikipedia, Britannica, BBC, HRW, UCA, Drishtiias)	3 (Free Tibet, ICT)	0	0

Summary

Metric	General (News, Edu, etc.)	Operated by Non-Tibetans	Operated by Tibetans	Operated in China
SEO Authority	69%	13%	11%	7%
Total Rankings	104/150	19/150	16/150	11/150
Most Ranking Site	Wikipedia (13/15)	Free Tibet (9/15)	CTA (5/15)	Tibet Travel (4/15)

HR Coordinator

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Responsibilities

Requirement and Selection: Finding the right talent, and people with strong character who fit the team culture. We want to create a team culture where accountability is a shared value, supporting everyone to grow together.
Setting the Right Team Culture: Passion, accountability, initiative — building a team where these values show up every day.
Communication: Both informal and formal — clear, articulate, and honest. Making sure everyone’s understood and on the same page. Supporting the team through conflicts when they arise.

Requirements

Encouraging: Motivating applicants and the team with energy and clarity.
Proactive: Taking ownership and accountability for the recruitment process.
Open-minded: Not letting personal beliefs influence decisions — we want everyone from the community, regardless of their stance, to be able to contribute.

Initial Setup

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Install Git

Linux

# For CentOS/RHEL
sudo yum install git

# For Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install git

macOS (Homebrew)

brew install git

Windows
- Download Git from the official website:
  https://git-scm.com/downloads or click here: Git
Verify Installation

git --version

VS Code Setup for Gitlab

Git integration is built into VS Code.

Install GitLab Extension

Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X).
Search for GitLab Workflow.
Click Install.

Set Git User

git init

git config --global user.name "Your Name"

git config --global user.email "your_email@example.com"

SSH Authentication Setup

1. Generate SSH Key

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"

Replace with your GitLab email address.

2. Save SSH_KEY

When prompted to “Enter a file in which to save the key,” press Enter. This will save the key to the default location or specify a custom one.

Legal Operations

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Responsibilities

Organisational Setup and Legal Compliance: Handle compliance of non-profit (NPO) and for-profit (FP) entities, ensuring legal structure and regulations are followed.
Legal Strategy: Provide legal advice on contracts, grant applications, and organisational structure for both for-profit and non-profit entities.
Financial Management and Reporting: Oversee financial operations, including managing bank accounts, budgets, and tax filings for both entities.
Risk Management and Compliance: Implement risk management protocols and ensure legal and financial compliance across the organization.

Requirements

Technical Skills: Proficiency in corporate and non-profit law, financial operations, and compliance. Proven experience in setting up and managing both FP and NPO organizations.
Soft Skills: Strong problem-solving abilities, organisational skills, and effective communication.

Local WP Setup

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This guide helps you set up your local WordPress dev environment.

Set Up LocalWP

Download and install LocalWP
Create a new site (use “Preferred” environment)
Set credentials (e.g. admin / admin)
Access:
- Site: http://your-site.local
- Admin: http://your-site.local/wp-admin

Portfolio Strategy

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Multi-Project Ecosystem

Building satellite projects creates a network of related websites that compete in the same market while using different technical approaches. This expands digital footprint by targeting the same keywords from multiple angles.

Framework Distribution Strategy

Each satellite project uses different technology stack
Learn multiple approaches to solving same problems
Reduce technical risk through diversification
Test different performance and user experience approaches

Market Positioning

Target overlapping keywords and audiences
Different brand positioning per project
Varied content approaches and user experiences
Replicate effective features in other projects

Recruitment

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Collaboration Framework

Process Overview

Step 1: Preparation - Initial research on background and expertise
Step 2: Informal Chat - Brief conversation to assess initial mutual interest
Step 3: Formal Meeting - Main discussion where we present the project in detail and explore alignment
Step 4: Expectations Discussion - Second conversation to clarify roles, deliverables, and working arrangements
Step 5: Collaboration Decision - Final decision point for both parties

Note: Steps 3 and 4 are conducted as video calls and represent our main meetings in the collaboration process.

SEO Basics

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SEO Guidelines

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Keyword research and target selection
On-page optimization basics
Content structure and headings
Technical SEO requirements
Performance tracking and measurement

Social Media Guidelines

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Platform-specific posting guidelines
Brand voice and tone on social media
Community engagement best practices
Content approval and review process
Crisis communication and response protocols

Suggest a Name

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Naming Guidelines

Should be a Tibetan word (can also be a made up word)
Focus on Tibetans, not just Tibet
Symbolic representation (represent Tibet and Tibetans without using the the word “Tibet”)
Around 5-7 letters

Suggestions

Tibetan words for:

Platform
Digital/modern
Space
Search/find
Write/script/scroll
Collection
Truth/authentic
Canvas
Flux/change
Information
Tibetan Hub
Verb (or any Tibetan word)

Visual Identity

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Logo usage guidelines and variations
Color palette (hex codes, usage rules)
Typography hierarchy and font choices
Visual style principles and examples

Website Developer

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Responsibilities

Website Development and Optimisation: Design, develop, and maintain multiple subdomains using frontend (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and back-end technologies (PHP, MYSQL), ensuring a cohesive and responsive user experience across devices.
Content Management and Security: Integrate and customise CMS platforms (WordPress) for easy content updates, ensuring all content follows best practices for accessibility, SEO, and security.
Testing, Debugging, and Collaboration: Conduct thorough testing and debugging, implement CI/CD practices, ensure web application security, and collaborate with product and business teams to translate requirements into technical specifications and document processes.

Requirements

Technical Skills: Proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and understanding of Chrome DevTools. Experience with WordPress administration, theme files, plugins, and server-related tasks. Familiarity with version control systems such as Git.
Soft Skills: Open-mindedness to learning new languages and tools, detail-oriented approach to development and optimisation, strong problem-solving skills, and effective communication skills.

Website Ecosystem

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Subdomain	Content Scope	Target Audience	Existing Platforms	Collaborations	Keywords
Main	Tibet 101, Tibetan profile, org info (Tibet House, Lha), monasteries/nunneries, CTA info, blogs	Primary: Non-Tibetans; Secondary: Tibetans	NA	Organization: CTA	tibet, tibetan buddhism, tibetan astrology, tibetan medicine, tibetan prayer flags, tibetan monks, tibet house, tibetan refugees, tibetan history, tibetan exiles, tibetan youth congress, free tibet, tibet plateau, tibet movement
Arts & Culture	Artist portfolios, Tibetan arts, museums/exhibitions, films/documentaries	Primary: Non-Tibetans; Secondary: Tibetan artists	Norbulingka, TIPA, art orgs	People: Tibetan artists	tibetan art, tibetan culture, tibetan yoga, losar, tibetan singing bowl, incense, healing sound, bon, cuisine, zen music, meditation, handicraft, mandala, jewelry, language, book of the dead, seven years in tibet
News	Authentic Tibet-related news (India, Tibet, overseas)	Primary: Tibetans; Secondary: Non-Tibetans	CTA News, Phayul, Tibetan Journal, Yarloong	Organization: CTA	tibet news, tibetan news
Career	Centralized job platform for all Tibetan orgs	Primary: Tibetans	Tibet Career Centre, CTA	People: Facebook group admins	tibetan jobs, employment, careers
Facts	Statistics: research papers, census, etc.	Primary: Tibetan orgs, researchers	CTA	People: international and tibetan researchers	tibet stats, tibetan demographics
Events (Calendar)	Event listings from Tibetan orgs, Tibetan holidays	Primary: Tibetans; Secondary: Non-Tibetans	—	—	tibetan events, tibetan holidays
Tourism*	Local business info (restaurants, guesthouses, artists, tattooists)	Primary: Travelers (local & international)	—	—	tibet travel, tibet tourism
Language	Language learning (Tibetan, English), freelance teachers, Zoom classes	Primary: Non-Tibetans, monks, nuns; Secondary: monastic institutions	Lha	—	learn tibetan, tibetan-english translation
Diaspora	Info about Tibetan settlements globally, forums, community platform	Primary: Tibetans	—	—	tibetan settlements, tibetan diaspora
Stories	Stories and documentaries of Tibetans	Primary: Non-Tibetans	Stories of Tibetans	—	tibetan stories, tibetan people
Shop*	Merchandise (Thangka, bowls, etc.)	—	—	—	buy thangka, singing bowl, tibetan crafts
Mental Health / Psychology	Mental health resources, chat, research	Primary: Both Tibetans and Non-Tibetans	—	—	tibetan mental health, psychology

Build Workflow

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Implementation Process

Every satellite project starts with selecting a framework to learn while building something that competes in the target market. Development happens in completely isolated environments.

Project Setup

Choose framework to explore
Acquire relevant domain name
Set up independent hosting and infrastructure
Create separate repository and analytics
Build minimal viable solution

Technical Standards

Minimal page implementations (1-5 pages max)
Open source with MIT/Apache licensing
Public repositories with clear documentation
Learning notes and setup instructions included
Individual tracking and performance monitoring

Success Metrics

Technical mastery of chosen framework
Keyword ranking performance
Documented learning outcomes
Portfolio growth and sustainability

Communication

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Core Practices

MR discussions stay in the MR: Use comments and threads to capture all decisions and changes.
Project-wide updates via Element: Use the Team: Devroom for updates, questions, and async check-ins.
Fortnightly engineering calls: Used for check-ins, blockers, or architectural discussions that require live input.
Write before you speak: Prefer documenting your thoughts over unscheduled pings.

Tools

Tool	Purpose
GitLab	Issues, Merge Requests, technical discussion
Element	Team chat, async updates, questions
Handbook	Long-term documentation and decisions

Expectations

Keep MR threads clear, focused, and self-contained
Use threads in Element to reduce noise
Post blockers or major updates before calls
Document meeting outcomes for future reference

Community Partnerships

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Partnership identification and outreach
Relationship building and maintenance
Collaboration agreements and expectations
Community engagement activities
Event planning and coordination

Content Strategy

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Content goals and objectives
Target audience and messaging
Editorial calendar and planning
Content types and formats
Distribution and promotion strategy

Design System

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UI component library (buttons, forms, cards, navigation)
Layout grids and spacing standards
Color usage for interfaces (different from brand colors)
Typography hierarchy for digital interfaces
Interactive states and animation guidelines

Editorial Workflow

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How content gets created (who does what, when)
The step-by-step workflow from idea to publication
Roles and responsibilities
Approval and review processes

Mission

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Infrastructure for Identity

Our mission is to build a digital ecosystem that authentically represents Tibet’s history, culture, and current realities.

We aim to promote Tibetan arts, language, and enterprise, while equipping our community with tools, opportunities, and platforms to thrive—now and for generations to come.

MVP

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Main Domain

Arts & Culture

News

Career

Facts

Onboarding

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General Setup

1. Communication Platform

We use Element as our primary platform for all internal communication.

See Element Guide for application overview and setup instructions.

We use Proton Drive for internal documents and file exchange.

See Proton Guide for application overview and access instructions.

Next Steps

After completing the general onboarding above, continue with your role-specific onboarding (if any) in the relevant section: Development, Product, Marketing, or Operations.

Additional Onboarding Pages

Developer Onboarding

Program Coordinator

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Responsibilities

Partnership Development: Identify and engage with Tibetan organizations and networks aligned with our mission, establishing collaborative relationships that support mutual goals and long-term impact.
Contributor Engagement: Bring in contributors who align with our values and can support various roles, helping them integrate into ongoing initiatives and programs.
Community Outreach and Engagement: Build connections with external groups and stakeholders to expand organizational reach, increase visibility, and strengthen trust within the broader community.

Requirements

Technical Skills: Experience in partnership development, stakeholder engagement, or community organizing. Ability to identify collaboration opportunities, assess organizational needs, and work effectively with remote communication and project management tools.
Soft Skills: Strong relationship-building and communication abilities, self-motivated with good organizational skills, and comfortable working independently in a remote, volunteer-driven environment.

Proton Drive

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Overview

Proton Drive is a secure, privacy-focused cloud storage service. It’s used to store and share all work-related files in one central place. It’s a secure alternative to platforms like Google Drive.

Key Features

End-to-End Encrypted: Files are encrypted in storage and during transfer.
No Account Needed: Access shared folders directly via link. Optional account for easier management.
Structured Folders: Each team member has a personal folder to manage files.

User Setup Steps

Step 1: Receive a secure Proton Drive folder link via Element chat.
Step 2: Use the link and enter the password provided.
Step 3: Upload, view, and edit files directly in the browser.
Optional: If you have a Proton account, you can share your Proton email for direct folder access.

General Proton Drive Guidelines

Keep Files Organized: Use folders and clear filenames when adding content.

Site Audit

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Theme Development

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Block Themes

Block themes use theme.json, templates/, and parts/ folders
All parts of the site are editable via WP Admin → Appearance → Editor

Resources

Vision

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Designed for Continuity

We envision a thriving digital ecosystem where Tibetan identity is not only preserved, but evolves to inspire, empower, and connect.

This is more than digital presence—it is cultural continuity, economic opportunity, and global visibility, grounded in Tibetan values and voices.

Workflow Guide

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Visual Representation

Here is a simple visual representation of the Git workflow:

git add –> git commit –> git push

1. Working Directory

The working directory is where you create and modify your files. This is the starting point of the Git workflow.

2. Staging Area

The staging area is where you prepare your files for the next commit. You can think of it as a temporary holding area for your files before they are committed to the local repository.

Business Model Canvas

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Segment	Driving Questions	Segment Description
Value Propositions	What problem are we solving? Why does it need to be solved?	VP1: Build a website ecosystem. VP2: Establish frameworks and best practices for efficiency. Refer to problem statement sheet
Customer Segments	Who are we solving the problem for? Who will value the proposition? What are their characteristics?	Persona 1: Non-Tibetans curious about the Tibetan situation and culture. Persona 2: Tibetan youth (10–40 y.o., diaspora). Persona 3: Tourists. Persona 4: Volunteers (e.g., in Dharamshala). Other: Tibetan artists, business owners, Free Tibet orgs, monasteries (4 sub-segments)
Customer Relationships	What is our interaction with customers like?	Online: Websites. Offline: Events
Channels	How do customers come in contact with the product? How do we communicate the value proposition? Where are the customers?	Social media (Instagram), Networking with Tibetan orgs, SEO (organic search), Existing platforms (Tibetan websites), Community events, Offline marketing (posters, boards), Word of mouth
Key Activities	What activities must the business undertake to achieve the value proposition? How is the product distributed?	Web development, Recruitment
Key Resources	What practical resources are needed for the key activities?	People, Workspaces, Computers
Key Partners	Who are our key partners? Why do we need them?	KP1: Tibetan experts (art, dev, design, history). KP2: Tibetan organisations. KP3: CTA (security, mentorship, advisory). KP4: Investors/funding partners
Cost Structure ($)	What are the monetary costs of operating? What costs are tied to activities, partners, and resources? Legal, insurance, etc?	Salaries for full-time dev/designer/team, Workspace rent, Hosting, domain, security, SEO tools, Slack, ClickUp, GitHub
Revenue Streams ($)	How do we convert our value proposition into financial gain?	Year 1: Funding (possibly via Kickstarter). Later: Tourism partnerships, ads, merchandise, skill outsourcing

Merge and Rebase

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Core Strategy

Rebase: Use when bringing changes from main into your feature branch

Merge: Use when integrating your feature branch into main (via MR/PR)

Aspect	Rebase	Merge
History	Linear, clean	Preserves branching context
Command	`git rebase origin/main`	`git merge feature-branch`
Conflicts	Resolve per commit	Resolve once
Force Push	Required after rebase	Not needed
Team Impact	Changes commit hashes	Safe for shared branches
Best For	Keeping feature current	Final integration

Example Scenario

Initial State

You create a feature branch from commit F, then make several commits while main continues to evolve:

Multisite

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Overview

WordPress Multisite is a feature built into WordPress that allows us to run multiple websites from a single WordPress installation. Here’s a breakdown of how it works under the hood:

1. Single Codebase, Multiple Sites

Only one set of WordPress core files.
All sites share plugins and themes (though individual sites can enable/disable them).

2. Database Structure

All sites share a single database, but WordPress creates separate tables per site.
Table structure:
- Main site: wp_options, wp_posts, etc.
- Sub-sites: wp_2_options, wp_2_posts, wp_3_options, etc.
Global/shared tables include:
- wp_users and wp_usermeta (users are shared across the network)
- wp_site, wp_blogs, wp_sitemeta for network management

3. Domain Mapping

Sites can be:
- Subdomains: site1.example.com
- Subdirectories: example.com/site1
With a plugin or custom configuration, you can map custom domains (e.g., site1.com, site2.net).

4. .htaccess and wp-config.php

Multisite modifies both:
- wp-config.php: defines MULTISITE, SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL, and other constants.
- .htaccess: rewrites URLs to route traffic correctly to each site.

5. Admin Interface

Two admin layers:
- Network Admin (/wp-admin/network): For managing the entire network (users, themes, plugins, sites).
- Site Admin: Each site has its own admin dashboard (/wp-admin) with scoped permissions.

6. Security and Isolation

Sites are not fully isolated like containerized apps.
Plugins and themes are network-wide, so a faulty plugin can affect all sites.
User roles and capabilities can be restricted per site, but full sandboxing is not native.

7. Performance and Caching

Because of shared resources and a single DB, high-traffic multisites often need:
- Advanced object caching (e.g., Redis)
- CDN and page caching
- DB scaling (e.g., using HyperDB or shard-based plugins)

Optimization

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Git Commands

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1. Getting Started

Git init

This command is used to initialize a new git repository or to add an existing repository to a new directory. Transform the current directory into a Git repository. This adds a .git subdirectory to the current directory and makes it possible to start recording revisions of the project.

# It creates a new .git subdirectory in the current working directory
git init

Git config

A convenient way to set configuration options for your Git installation. You’ll typically only need to use this immediately after installing Git on a new development machine.

GitLab

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Overview

GitLab is a comprehensive DevOps platform that combines version control, project management, CI/CD, and collaboration tools in one unified interface. It’s built around Git version control and provides everything needed for the complete software development lifecycle.

What is Git?

Git is a distributed version control system that tracks changes in files and coordinates work between multiple people.

Version Control: Track every change made to files over time—see what changed, when, and by whom.
Distributed: Everyone has a complete copy of the project history. Work offline and sync when ready.
Branching & Merging: Create separate “branches” to work on features, then merge them back when complete.
Collaboration: Multiple people can work on the same project without conflicts through systematic merging.

What is GitLab?

GitLab is a comprehensive DevOps platform that uses Git as its foundation.

Keyword Research

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Keyword	Search Volume (India)
dharamshala	201,000
tibet	90,500
dalai lama	74,000
dharamshala places to visit	14,800
tibet map	12,100
losar festival	12,100
tibetan flags	9,900
is tibet a country	9,900
tibetan flag	9,900
losar	6,600
buddhist meditation	6,600
thangka painting	6,600
tingmo	4,400
tibet china	3,600
tibetan language	3,600
tibetan monastery	2,900
tibetan food	2,900
tibetan restaurant	1,900
tibetan buddhism	1,600
tibet india	1,600
tibetan singing bowl	1,600
tibetan medicine	1,300
prayer flags	1,300
tibetan prayer flags	1,300
free tibet	1,000
is tibet free	1,000
india tibet map	1,000
tibetan alphabet	1,000
tibet culture	720
tibetan culture	720
tibet news	720
tibetan astrology	480
tibetan paintings	390
tibetan meditation	170

Culture

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Collaborative by Design

We work openly with shared responsibility. From designing icons to drafting policy briefs, we invite input early and often. We use asynchronous tools, clear documentation, and default to kindness and clarity in all communication.

Our foundation

Clear ownership (DRI) and accountability
Defined processes for decisions and content
Regular retrospectives for improvement
Low-ego, respectful collaboration
Clarity over assumptions
Alignment with shared vision
Principled action over impulse

Deliberate by Choice

We pause to think before we act, choose understanding over assumption, and build solutions that last.

MacOS

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Overview

Linux

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Overview

Values

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Guided by Purpose

Our values guide how we build, collaborate, and serve. They inspire every decision—from platform design to team dynamics—and connect us to our mission of creating an authentic, empowering digital presence for the Tibetan community.

Our core values include:

Truth with Integrity: We represent Tibet and Tibetan voices with honesty, accuracy, and care. Our work honors facts and lived experience, embracing complexity and nuance.
Empowerment through Ownership: We create meaningful opportunities for Tibetans to lead, contribute, and shape their digital future. We believe in shared ownership and collective success.

Team

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1. Strategy Team

The strategy team is responsible for overall direction, strategic alignment, and prioritization. It ensures that our decisions remain mission-aligned and that all efforts contribute toward our long-term vision.

2. Operations Team

The operations team oversees the people, processes, and relationships that make our work possible. It ensures smooth coordination, nurtures partnerships, and maintains a healthy, accountable internal environment.

Sub-teams

Legal: Handles governance, compliance, and policy frameworks.
Outreach: Leads external relations, partnerships, and community engagement.
Talent: Manages roles, onboarding, internal communication, and team well-being.

3. Engineering Team

The engineering team designs, builds, and maintains all digital systems, tools, and infrastructure. It ensures that our platforms are robust, accessible, and scalable.

Meetings

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Scheduled Meetings

Strategy Meeting

When: Quarterly First Saturdays, 60 minutes
Who: Strategy team
Purpose: Strategic planning, organization updates, and key decision-making

Operations Meeting

When: Monthly Saturdays, 60 minutes (with additional ad-hoc meetings based on collaboration preparation needs)
Who: Operations team
Purpose: Review collaboration status, discuss new partnership opportunities, and operational updates

Engineering Meeting

When: Fortnightly Saturdays, 60 minutes
Who: Engineering team
Purpose: Share progress on product development, technical discussions, and clarifications

Watering-Together Activity Check-in

When: Weekly Saturdays, 45 minutes
Who: All participants in the watering together activity
Purpose: Share updates on tasks, experiences, observations, etc.

Guidelines

Meeting Standards

All meetings accommodate multiple time zones (currently, GMT, CET, CST, and IST.)
Meeting agendas are discussed and finalized 72 hours before the meeting to allow adequate preparation time
Come prepared with any required pre-work
Use Element for questions during presentations
Action items are documented and assigned before meeting ends

Meeting Template

[Meeting Title]
[Participants] | [Date] | [Platform] | [Duration]

💬 Segue (5 MIN)
- Quick check-ins and context

📋 Agenda (45 MIN)
- Topic 1:
- Topic 2:

🎯 Action Items (5 MIN)
- [ ] Task - Owner - Due date

➡️ Next Steps/Notes (5 MIN)
- Key takeaways

Contact

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We’d love to hear from you. Send us an email and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Email: tashidelek@bwrgy.org

When reaching out, please include:

Your name and organization (if applicable)
A brief description of your inquiry
Any relevant details that might help us assist you better

We look forward to connecting with you!

Research Documents

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Browse our community-based research documents—a collection of field reports, studies, and insights published by other scholars, organizations, and institutions from Tibetan communities.

AWS

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Cloudflare

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CSS

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Formatting & Naming

Use 2 spaces for indentation
One selector per line in multi-selector rules
Use kebab-case for class names: .main-header, .btn-primary
Prefix component classes: .card-title, .nav-item
Use meaningful, descriptive names over abbreviated ones

Organization & Structure

Group related properties together (positioning, box model, typography, visual)
Use comments to separate major sections
Keep specificity low - avoid deep nesting
Mobile-first approach with min-width media queries
Separate layout, components, and utility classes

Best Practices & Tools

Avoid !important - use higher specificity instead
Use CSS custom properties for repeated values
Prefer classes over IDs for styling
Use Prettier for consistent formatting
Lint with stylelint for error checking

References

Docsy

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Formatting & Structure

Use TOML frontmatter for all content files
Follow Hugo’s content organization with _index.md for sections
Use consistent weight values for navigation ordering
Keep markdown files clean with proper heading hierarchy
Use Hugo shortcodes for complex content blocks

Include proper frontmatter: title, description, type, weight
Use descriptive page titles and meta descriptions
Organize content in logical directory structures
Set up proper menu navigation with parent-child relationships
Use no_list: true to exclude pages from section listings

Best Practices & Tools

Test responsive design across different screen sizes
Validate Hugo build process with hugo --gc --minify
Use Hugo’s built-in syntax highlighting for code blocks
Implement proper search functionality with Docsy’s search features
Follow accessibility guidelines for documentation sites

References

Domain Consultant (Arts & Culture)

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Responsibilities

Cultural Authority and Validation: Serve as subject matter expert (for the Arts & Culture subdomain) on Tibetan arts and culture, ensuring website content maintains authenticity and cultural accuracy through detailed reviews and recommendations.
Community Network Liaison: Leverage established relationships within the global Tibetan arts community to identify and connect with artists, historians, and cultural practitioners for content collaboration.
Strategic Content Advisory: Guide content strategy by participating in research interviews and providing expert insights on cultural representation and storytelling approaches.

Requirements

Domain Expertise: Advanced knowledge of Tibetan art, history, and culture with formal academic background or equivalent professional experience. Extensive network within Tibetan cultural communities.
Advisory Skills: Exceptional attention to detail for cultural authenticity, strong communication abilities for stakeholder engagement, and collaborative approach to cross-cultural content development.

Domain Consultant (News)

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Responsibilities

News Content Authority: Serve as subject matter expert (for the News subdomain) on Tibetan current affairs and contemporary issues, ensuring news content maintains journalistic integrity and cultural context.
Media Source Network: Leverage established relationships within journalism and media communities to connect with credible news sources, reporters, and media outlets covering Tibet.
News Strategy Advisory: Provide expert guidance on news content strategy, story development, and editorial decisions while participating in research interviews on current Tibetan affairs.

Requirements

Domain Expertise: Deep knowledge of Tibetan current affairs, contemporary issues, and media landscape with formal journalism background or equivalent professional experience. Extensive network within news and media organizations.
Advisory Skills: Strong news judgment and editorial instincts, excellent communication abilities for stakeholder engagement, and collaborative approach to news content validation and development.

HTML

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Javascript

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PHP

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Researcher

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Responsibilities

Research and Fact-Checking: Conduct thorough research on Tibetan history, culture, and current affairs to ensure all content is accurate, well-sourced, and academically rigorous.
Source Documentation and Verification: Identify, evaluate, and document primary and secondary sources while maintaining comprehensive citation standards and verifying information authenticity.
Content Investigation and Analysis: Investigate complex topics requiring deep research, analyze trends and patterns in Tibetan affairs, and provide evidence-based insights for content development.

Requirements

Research Expertise: Advanced research methodology skills with experience in academic or professional research environments. Knowledge of Tibetan studies, history, or related fields preferred.
Analytical Skills: Strong critical thinking abilities, proficiency with research databases and tools, excellent source evaluation skills, and meticulous attention to detail for fact verification.

WordPress

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Formatting & Naming

Follow WordPress PHP coding standards (tabs for indentation)
Use snake_case for function names: get_custom_post_data()
Prefix all functions, classes, and globals with unique identifier
Use descriptive hook names: my_plugin_before_content_display
Follow WordPress file naming conventions

Hooks & Functions

Use proper WordPress hooks instead of direct file modifications
Sanitize and validate all user input
Escape output data with appropriate functions: esc_html(), esc_attr()
Use WordPress functions over PHP equivalents when available
Check user capabilities before executing admin functions

Best Practices & Tools

Use WordPress coding standards with PHPCS
Follow the WordPress Plugin/Theme directory guidelines
Implement proper nonce verification for forms
Use WordPress transients for caching
Test with WordPress debug mode enabled