I was all set to volunteer at WCUS again this year, but I decided to bow out.As I saw emails come in from the team, I realized that every single person either worked for Automattic or a company that pays their expenses — and provides time — to contribute.As a freelancer, I pay for all of that myself. And, I have to carve out my own time to contribute, which takes away from the time I could be making an income.It's an interesting issue that has been brought up by others in the past. And I know some people have put together lists of contributors who need sponsorship, which is admirable. I applaud that effort. But it's also weird to see people on that list who are already sponsored by their employers.#WordPress contribution is still a challenging thing to do when you're not in the class of the full-time employed.I know there are others experiencing this. I'm not sure yet how to solve the problem, but I'm thinking on it.

March 14, 2023 by David Bisset

I was all set to volunteer at WCUS again this year, but I decided to bow out.

As I saw emails come in from the team, I realized that every single person either worked for Automattic or a company that pays their expenses — and provides time — to contribute.

As a freelancer, I pay for all of that myself. And, I have to carve out my own time to contribute, which takes away from the time I could be making an income.

It’s an interesting issue that has been brought up by others in the past. And I know some people have put together lists of contributors who need sponsorship, which is admirable. I applaud that effort. But it’s also weird to see people on that list who are already sponsored by their employers.

#WordPress contribution is still a challenging thing to do when you’re not in the class of the full-time employed.

I know there are others experiencing this. I’m not sure yet how to solve the problem, but I’m thinking on it.