DIGITAL JUSTICE
Mission: We are a community network offering fast, affordable, and fair access to the Internet for all New Yorkers. By joining NYC Mesh, you can access the Internet while simultaneously helping your neighbors get better, safer Internet access, too. Adding an NYC Mesh connection to your apartment or building can serve as a backup Internet connection in case your commercial Internet service goes down. We aim to be a service for all New Yorkers. As a community network, city residents take it upon themselves to maintain and grow the network. This means that in addition to accessing the Internet, they can also make friends, meet neighbors, and learn valuable technical and computer skills by participating in NYC Mesh’s active community, either in-person or online.
Website: https://www.nycmesh.net/volunteer
Email: help@nycmesh.net
Phone: N/A
What volunteers do:
installers help connect new NYC Mesh members to the network (and help them reconnect when they have service issues). This involves installing and configuring routers and networking equipment on rooftops and in members’ apartments and carrying out configuration.
install team leaders organize and lead site surveys and installations. Teach new volunteers how to install hardware and configure software. Communicate with new NYC Mesh members and the install support team. Help shape installation best practices.
install coordinators are responsible for inventory control, coordinating install teams, identifying viable installs, streamlining installs, working with contractors.
install planners join the rooftops together on the NYC Mesh map and plan an install (emailing, phone calls and meeting neighbors)
network administrators monitor nodes and alert users to problems.
hack hardware and software
website developers edit existing documentation and add new information. Help improve message and outreach.
neighborhood organizers coordinate an install for people in their building or for neighbors or a community organization or a local business.
community outreach leaders encourage people in their community to join NYC Mesh by distributing pamphlets and organizing informational events.
grant writers and sponsorship coordinators help identify grants, write applications and reach out to sponsors.
project managers take responsibility for larger projects that require long-term planning, organizing and emailing.
FYI:
many volunteers take on multiple roles and responsibilities
monthly volunteer meetups
organizing takes place on Slack
network admins should know Grafana, Icinga or Nagios/how to write bash scripts
NYC Mesh uses markdown and git to collaboratively develop the website - both are easy to learn.
NYC Mesh prioritizes installs that serve multiple members from one hub location.bilingual speakers desired for community outreach to reach people who don’t speak English and provide translation assistance.
Boroughs: Manhattan and Brooklyn