MGCI News articles

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (April)

IsidoraKatanic — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 01:29:52 GMT

Hi MGCI Members!

As April moves forward, we hope you’re feeling inspired by the communities you’re part of and the ones growing all around you. From celebrating Women in Tech across the ecosystem to building excitement for the Microsoft 365 Community Conference in Orlando, shared energy and collaboration are fueling MGCI’s global momentum. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up next 🚀

💗 SharePoint Turned 25

Last month a digital event and many in person events around the world celebrated the 25th birthday of SharePoint, to view the digital event check out the link here - https://aka.ms/SPat25 Learn about the SharePoint Hackathon that so many of you participated in and get ready to view the upcoming "More than Code" short film. The cover photo is from an on-campus event with the SharePoint product team.

🌎 MGCI Regional Leader Update

Applications for our 2026 MGCI Regional Leaders are under review. Stay tuned - this next wave of leadership is going to help shape how Community Days grows around the world.

🗣️ MGCI Monthly General Sessions

Our March MGCI General Session showcased the power of Women in Tech & Allies communities across the Microsoft ecosystem 💜 featuring seven standout organizations creating real pathways for growth, mentorship, and leadership.

What showed up wasn’t just representation.
It was momentum 🚀

Across these communities, we’re seeing:

✅ Confidence being built
🔓 Access being created
🤝 Collective action taking shape

From mentorship‑driven programs to global networking and leadership pathways, these groups are turning connection into opportunity, proving that community isn’t just support.

It’s a launchpad for participation and advancement✨

If you want to explore how this momentum is turning into real‑world access and opportunity:

📖 Read the blog:
https://aka.ms/MGCI-WomeninTechandAlliesBlog-March2026

🎥 Watch the session recording:
https://aka.ms/MGCI-WomenInTechandAlliesRecording

Ready to move from reflection to action?
Discover Women in Tech speakers on Sessionize and help build inclusive, well‑rounded events:

🎤 https://aka.ms/MSWomenInTechSessionize

📅 General Sessions: On Deck

Don't miss out on our monthly general sessions hosted in two different time slots (AM and PM). We share the latest news and updates on what's happening behind the scenes at MGCI, as well as what's coming next. Community Members from all around the world get the opportunity to share insights on their upcoming events, current topics, community news, and interactive talks with other members. Mark your calendars now and join us every 3rd Tuesday of the month!

Apr 21	Microsoft Student Ambassadors - Guest Speaker: Tracey Salem, Senior Learning Manager, Global Skilling, Microsoft
May 19	Community Spotlight: M365 Community Days DC
Jun 16	Community Spotlight (to be announced)
Jul 21	Community Spotlight (to be announced)

📅 April 21 | ⏰ 8:10 AM PT | 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

📅 April 21 | ⏰ 5:10 AM PT | 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Join Tracey Salem for an engaging look at the Microsoft Student Ambassadors program and the vibrant global community of students who are learning, building, and leading with Microsoft cloud and AI technologies. This session spotlights how Student Ambassadors bring fresh perspectives, energy, and new ways of engaging communities - both on campus and beyond. Attendees will come away inspired by what today’s students are doing, and better connected to a broader ecosystem of learners, leaders, and community builders shaping the future together.

👩‍🏫 2026 Event Trainings

Join our monthly Event Production Training & Office Hours with our Board Members Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver and learn from different leaders, with different perspectives how to run your next event. These are interactive sessions, giving you great insights into organizing community events around the globe.

Check out all upcoming and past calls and events

Apr 23	Run of Show – Day of Event Lessons Learned
May 28	Event & Committee Planning
Jun 25	How to Find and Select Speakers
Jul 30	FOOD! Meals, Snacks, and Beverages
Aug 27	No Meeting – Summer Break
Sep 24	Event Branding – Graphics & Image Tips
Oct 29	Filling Seats! How to Market Your Event
Nov 26	No Meeting – Holiday Break
Dec 24	No Meeting – Holiday Break

In case you have any ideas, feedback, or would like to join us as a Guest Speaker to share your event tips & tricks, complete the form here👉 https://aka.ms/MGCI-EventOrganizerFeedback

🌎 Community Days: check out upcoming events

The community never sleeps! And this impressive list of events proves exactly that our community is active more than ever before. New events keep getting included on https://aka.ms/CommunityDays.Org and you can get your upcoming events listed too! Use this community initiative for all your event needs, like scouting active Call for Speakers, or submitting your own event to get spotted by potential sponsors.

A group of speakers on stage at a community conference in Europe

💖 #CommunityLuv: in the spotlights

Himanshu Goil (Empowering Local Governments and Businesses to Scale through AI Agents, Automation, and Digital Transformation | TechForGov | IGNA™ | Ignatiuz) traveled from USA to Dubai for the event https://aka.ms/AIMaitri Where AI Meets Community. This beautiful shot was taken during his trip - read the full post here on LinkedIn:

https://aka.ms/AIMaitriLIPost #CommunityLuv

A man standing on a bridge in Dubai, UAE

🌴🎉 MGCI Is Bringing the Community to Orlando at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference

The Microsoft 365 Community Conference is where community comes together in person.

This year inside the Microsoft Innovation Hub, organizers, speakers, MVPs, and community leaders will turn hallway conversations into global collaborations through:

🤝 Informal community meetups
🗣️ Product roundtables with Microsoft teams and community voices
⚡ Lightning talks from community experts
🧭 Guided demo stations
💻 Hands-on experiences with Copilot+ PCs
🎙️ Live podcast recordings
🎂 A SharePoint 25th birthday celebration
🧱 Build-your-own LEGO figurine stations
💄 Red Lip experiential moments inside the Hub (because sometimes showing up boldly is the point)

MGCI will be onsite all week connecting grassroots organizers from around the world:

📍 MGCI Community Meetup Tuesday @ 4:15 PM
📍 MGCI Roundtable Wednesday @ 4:15 PM
⚡ MGCI Lightning Talk on the Power of Community

Expect roundtable conversations that go beyond slides - bringing together Microsoft teams and real‑world community perspectives to share ideas, challenges, and what’s actually working across the ecosystem.

And don’t miss:

💬 The Women in Tech & Allies Lunch Discussion - April 22! With an executive panel and special guests from across our community, one of the most anticipated gatherings at M365 Conf - designed to spark connection, share experiences, and champion what’s next for women in tech.
📸 MVP Photo Opportunity
🎬 More Than Code - SharePoint 25 Documentary Premiere

Because sometimes the most important thing you take home from a conference…
is the people you met along the way.

🎟️ Helping More Communities Join Us in Orlando

To support nonprofits and small businesses in our ecosystem, we’re offering a grant program for free or discounted tickets to the Microsoft 365 Community Conference in Orlando (April 21–23).

This program is designed for:

🤝 Nonprofits
🏢 Small businesses
💜 Members of Women in Tech & Allies community organizations

✈️ Travel and workshop expenses are not included and supply is limited.

Know an organization that could benefit from building skills in:

🤖 Copilot
💬 Microsoft Teams
☁️ OneDrive
🧩 SharePoint

Encourage them to apply:

Learn more and apply 👉
https://aka.ms/M365CommunityGrant

🌉 Microsoft Build: now shipping!

Find out what Microsoft is building next in Satya Nadella's keynote during Microsoft Build. Hosted in-person and online on June 2-3, 2026 in San Francisco, USA. Connect with the developers community, join interactive meetups and workshops to debug problems with engineers who’ve already solved them. Plus, get direct access to Microsoft and GitHub technical leaders for strategic guidance.

👩‍💻AI Agent Con: chapters around the world

Is Microsoft Build not around the corner for you, or simply impossible to attend due to other reasons? Thankfully, the Global AI Community tours with local events around the world, organized by the community for the community. Check out the list featuring local chapters across the globe.

💫 What Happens Next

MGCI isn’t powered by programming. It’s powered by participation. The connections made in Orlando and around the globe. The lessons shared through training. The roundtable conversations. First-time speakers stepping forward. That’s how this ecosystem grows. Community doesn’t scale through announcements. It scales through action.

Across MGCI and https://aka.ms/CommunityDays.Org, we’re seeing organizers connect across regions, share what’s working, and build events that reflect the communities they serve — supported by the tools, training, and resources that make grassroots impact possible.

When you bring someone new into the room, you expand what’s possible.
When you share what you learned, you strengthen someone else’s event.
When you collaborate across communities, you turn local effort into global impact.

And that’s how momentum becomes movement.

Sincerely,

Your Board Officers

Microsoft Global Community Initiative

Women’s History Millennia in Action: Community, Courage, and Collective Power 💜✨

HeatherCook — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:03:36 GMT

Our recent MGCI General Session was one of those moments that reminds you exactly why community matters.

What began as a panel quickly became something bigger - a shared experience filled with stories, hard‑earned wisdom, laughter, and the kind of encouragement that stays with you. The energy was high, the chat was buzzing, and the sense of connection was unmistakable.

This wasn’t just a conversation about women in tech. It was about visibility, access, allyship, and building something better - together.

❤️Stories That Connected (and Advice That Truly Landed)

Throughout the session, our panelists spoke candidly about their journeys - the wins, the doubts, the pivots, and the moments that shaped them. A consistent theme emerged: growth doesn’t come from waiting until you feel ready.

Sravani Seethi captured this perfectly when she reminded the community that confidence isn’t something you magically wake up with one day. It’s built through action. Confidence, she shared, comes after you take the leap, after you say yes to the opportunity that stretches you.

That message resonated deeply, especially with early‑career technologists and new speakers listening in.

Christine Bongard built on that idea by encouraging attendees to be visible and intentional about their goals. Rather than waiting to be discovered, she emphasized the importance of advocating for yourself; making your work known and clearly communicating where you want to go. It was a powerful reminder that self‑advocacy isn’t about ego; it’s about clarity.

One of the most grounding moments came from Olajumoke Toriola, who spoke directly to the experience many women have had of walking into rooms where they feel outnumbered or unsure. Being a woman, she reminded us, is simply a definition of gender. It does not define strength, capability, or impact. You are at the table because you belong there.

Community Energy You Could Feel 💬💥

If the panel was the heartbeat of the session, the chat was the pulse.

Community members joined from around the world, sharing encouragement, LinkedIn profiles, mentorship opportunities, calls for speakers, and thoughtful reflections. The conversation unfolded in real time, reinforcing what the panelists were saying and adding even more perspective.

Attendees reminded one another that you don’t need to have all the answers to add value, that imposter syndrome often means you care deeply about your work, and that sometimes the most impactful thing you can do is simply show up.

That spirit of intentional community building was echoed by Sharon Weaver, who captured the purpose behind moments like this, “Our community isn’t here just for women, it’s here to elevate women. To give them opportunities to speak, present, connect, and be visible.”

Then came a moment that seemed to stop everyone in their tracks:

“My daughter is listening along.”

That single comment captured the heart of the entire session. This work matters, not just for today’s careers, but for the next generation watching, learning, and imagining what’s possible.

🤝Allyship, Practiced Not Preached

Another strong thread throughout the discussion was allyship - what it looks like beyond buzzwords.

Chaitra Vedullapalli spoke about shifting the focus from chasing opportunities to building systems and value so strong that opportunities naturally follow. Allyship, in this context, is about creating infrastructure, access, and pathways, not just offering encouragement.

That idea showed up again and again in the chat, where attendees talked about amplifying voices, recommending people for opportunities when they aren’t in the room, and building communities that collaborate instead of compete.

Melissa Ballesteros reinforced that collective success matters more than individual wins. Rather than navigating growth alone, she encouraged people to look outward and intentionally build community around shared goals,“If you’re not finding what you’re looking for, look outside. Find your tribe. Real success only happens when you bring your community with you.”

As one attendee summed it up simply: everyone needs an ally.

The Advice We’re Still Carrying With Us ✨

As the session unfolded, certain ideas stayed with people long after the call ended.

Sharon Smith shared how a single conversation or connection can completely change someone’s trajectory, a reminder of the quiet but powerful impact mentorship can have.

Rachel Sullivan brought the conversation back to growth and resilience, reminding everyone that mistakes aren’t something to fear. They’re how we learn. If you never take the action, she noted, you never get the chance to grow.

And throughout it all, Femke Cornelissen reinforced something the community clearly values: you don’t have to do this alone. Growth happens faster and more meaningfully when we ask for help, learn from each other, and lift others as we move forward.

For Nihinlola Adeyemi of TechStylers, it’s a belief that guides both her leadership and her work, “Being a woman is just a definition of gender. It doesn’t define your ability to make impact. You’re at the table because you belong there.”

This moment resonated deeply, especially for those early in their careers or stepping into new spaces and a reminder that confidence and impact aren’t granted, they’re built.

🌱 More Than a Month - A Movement

We said it together, and it’s worth repeating:

This isn’t just Women’s History Month.
It’s Women’s History Millennia.

The work shared in this session: mentorship programs, speaker pipelines, learning communities, and economic access initiatives doesn’t fit neatly into a single month. It’s ongoing, evolving, and powered by people who care deeply about making tech more inclusive, more human, and more connected.

Until Next Time 💜

To our panelists: thank you for your honesty, generosity, and leadership.
To our community: thank you for showing up, engaging, and lifting one another up.
To the next generation listening in: we see you and we’re building this future with you in mind.

We can’t wait to do this again.

Because community like this deserves to keep growing. 🚀✨

🎥Watch the conversation here: https://aka.ms/MGCI-WomenInTechandAlliesRecording

Connect with these wonderful organizations

Women in Cloud

Women in M365

Women in Power

Rockstar Women in AI and Security

TechStylers

The Mentoring Hub

The WIT Network

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (Feb/Mar)

Jennifer-Mason — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 19:57:08 GMT

MGCI 2026 Is in Motion 🚀

Training. Platform Growth. Spotlight Opportunities. And We Need You.

If you’ve been thinking, “How can I get more involved this year?” this is your invitation.

We have a full year of training planned, major improvements happening on CommunityDays.org, and new opportunities for your events to be featured globally. Let’s walk through what’s coming.

For email updates on the latest, join our mailing list: https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP

🌎MGCI Regional Leader Application Update

🚀 Wow - thank you! A huge thank‑you to everyone who applied to become an MGCI Regional Leader. The response was incredible, and we’re currently reviewing applications. We’re so excited to announce our new Regional Leaders in April, stay tuned!

🎓 2026 Training: Built for Event Leaders

Whether you’re organizing your first event or your fifteenth, this year’s training lineup is designed to help you level up.

We’re focusing on the things that actually move events forward:

Sponsorship
Speaker selection
Run of show
Marketing
Branding
Even FOOD (because yes, it matters!)

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Check out all upcoming and past calls and events

Date	Topic
Jan 29	Finding and Managing Sponsors (Missed it? Catch the recording!)
Feb 26	Community Days, MTC User Groups & AMC (link to blog post), recording coming soon)
Mar 26	No Meeting – Spring Break
Apr 23	Run of Show – Day of Event Lessons Learned
May 28	Event & Committee Planning
Jun 25	How to Find and Select Speakers
Jul 30	FOOD! Meals, Snacks, and Beverages
Aug 27	No Meeting – Summer Break
Sep 24	Event Branding – Graphics & Image Tips
Oct 29	Filling Seats! How to Market Your Event
Nov 26	No Meeting – Holiday Break
Dec 24	No Meeting – Holiday Break

Got an idea for a session you’d love to see? This is community-built training - your input shapes it.
Submit your idea here 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCI-EventOrganizerFeedback

🌐 CommunityDays.org Is Getting Better (Because of You)

Communitydays.org Features Recently Rolled Out

⚡ Page, image, code, and database optimizations
⚡ Performance improvements

Communitydays.org Features Coming Soon

Save / Reuse / Copy Sponsor Applications
Postpone / Cancel Events
Region-aware event listings
ICS / calendar sharing

These updates aren’t random. They’re coming directly from community feedback. If you’ve ever submitted a suggestion - thank you. We’re listening.

👥 We Need Volunteers for Event Review & Approvals

CommunityDays.org continues to grow. More events. More submissions. More global visibility.

And that means we need help. We are actively looking for:

👉 Volunteers to support Community Days Event Approval

This isn’t just admin work. It’s influence. You’ll help:

Maintain quality standards
Support new organizers
Ensure consistent global experience
Shape how Community Days evolves

If you care about community quality and want to contribute at a higher level - this is your opportunity.

🎤 MGCI General Sessions: A New Energy

We’re shifting General Sessions to be more community-facing, more impactful, and more promotional for you.

What’s Changing?

TED-style format
3–4 slide focused presentations
Community Days highlights
Event previews & recaps
Practical lessons from organizers

Same cadence:
✔ Third Tuesday of every month
✔ Two global time slots
✔ Recorded for on-demand viewing

📅 General Sessions

Check out all upcoming and past calls and events

Date	Topic
Jan 20	Community Update & AMA
Feb 17	CommunityDays.org: Backstage Pass
Mar 17	Women in Tech & Allies Panel
Apr 21	Microsoft Student Ambassadors
May 19	Community Spotlight: M365 Community Days DC
Jun 16	Community Spotlight TBD
Jul 21	Community Spotlight TBD

And here’s where you come in…

🌟 Want Your Event Spotlighted?

We are actively looking for Community Events to feature in upcoming General Sessions.

That means:

Share your story
Highlight your event
Talk about lessons learned
Promote what’s coming next
Inspire other organizers

If you want to be featured, fill out this form:

👉 https://aka.ms/GeneralSessionGuest

We are scheduling speakers now. If you’ve built something you’re proud of - let’s amplify it.

💖 #CommunityLuv Spotlight

This month, we’re showing some #CommunityLuv to SharePoint! More than features or announcements. It's about the community, the makers, the advocates, and the teams who have poured their hearts into this product for 25 years.

Watch parties were held all over and the celebration reminded us why this community is the best community in Tech!

SharePoint Product Team Watch PartyTwin Cities User Group Watch Party

🎉 Dive into the celebration - community stories, a must‑watch short film, a fresh blog, and ways to get involved, including the upcoming SharePoint Hackathon for builders and innovators.

👉https://aka.ms/Spat25

🎶 Bonus: a special birthday playlist. to keep the vibes going.

SPat25 CommunityLuv

💜Celebrating Women's History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, join us for a special MGCI General Session spotlighting the incredible impact of Women in Tech and Allies communities across the Microsoft ecosystem. Hear from inspiring leaders including Nihinlola Adeyemi (TechStylers), Lara Ajijola (TechStylers), Christine Bongard (WIT Network), Femke Cornelissen‑de Bruin and Melissa Ballesteros (Rockstar Women in AI & Security), Sravani Seethi (Women in Power), Sharon Smith (The Mentoring Hub), Rachel Sullivan (Women in M365), Olajumoke Toriola (TechStylers),Sharon Weaver (Women in M365), and Chaitra Vedulla (Women in Cloud) as they share real stories of mentorship, allyship, and building inclusive, empowering tech communities. Whether you lead a group, support one, or want to activate allies in your own community, this session offers practical insights and inspiration.

📅 Mar 17 | ⏰ 8:10 AM PT | 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

📅 Mar 17 | ⏰ 5:10 AM PT | 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Looking to spotlight more amazing women speakers?

The Microsoft Solutions Women in Tech speaker directory on Sessionize is a go‑to resource for discovering talented women across the Microsoft ecosystem—and you can be part of it too. Browse, share, or create a profile to help amplify diverse voices and strengthen inclusive tech communities. 💜

💡 Why This Year Matters

MGCI is not a program you watch. It’s a program you participate in.

And the best part? So many of you already are.

Every event organized
Every speaker coached
Every sponsor secured
Every new attendee welcomed at check-in

That’s community in action. MGCI is special because it’s powered by people - organizers, volunteers, presenters, leaders - who believe in bringing others together to learn and grow.

This year, we’re building even more support around that energy:

More structured training
Better tools on CommunityDays.org
Clearer processes
Spotlight opportunities to amplify your work
New ways to connect globally

Not because something is missing but because what you’re already doing is worth investing in.

When you share a lesson learned, you help someone else avoid a mistake.
When you spotlight your event, you inspire another region.
When you volunteer, you strengthen the experience for everyone.

That ripple effect is powerful.

The opportunity is powerful!

Opportunity to:

Grow as a leader
Elevate your local community
Connect with peers across the world
Build something meaningful

If you want to lean in this year, there’s space for you. If you’re already contributing, thank you. You’re shaping something bigger than any one event. The strength of MGCI isn’t just in the platform or the program. It’s in the people who care about community. And if the response to Regional Leader applications is any indication, this community is more energized than ever - excited to share what’s next in April.

All of this is worth celebrating.

🎟️ Backstage Pass to CommunityDays.org

EmilyHove — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 23:38:40 GMT

Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at CommunityDays.org? The February Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) General Session pulled back the curtain and delivered a true backstage pass - complete with a hands‑on walkthrough of the platform.

Led by Tom Daly, creator of CommunityDays.org, Microsoft MVP, organizer for M365 Community Days NYC and MGCI board member, the session showed how community leaders can get the most out of the platform - from launching a brand‑new event to managing speakers, sponsors, and all the moving pieces in between. Practical, approachable, and packed with “ohhh, that’s handy” moments, it was a must‑watch for event organizers and community advocates.

Hosted by Heather Cook from the Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, the session brought together MGCI board members, regional leaders, MVPs, and community organizers from around the globe. Together, they explored new features, shared real‑world best practices, and got a sneak peek at what’s next for Community Days.

📺 Watch the full session on demand HERE

🌍 Why CommunityDays.org?
Because it makes community events easier - for everyone.

CommunityDays.org continues to shine as a central hub for community‑led events, helping:

🎤 Event organizers boost visibility and reach new audiences
🗣️ Speakers find fresh opportunities to share their expertise
🧭 Attendees discover community events happening worldwide

As several folks noted in the chat, Community Days has become a go‑to recommendation for organizers - and a true one‑stop shop for community event discovery.

🛠️ Creating an Event: From Idea to Draft (Without the Stress)
Tom walked through the full event‑creation journey using a real‑world example, proving you don’t need every detail locked in to get started.

Key takeaways:

✍️ Events can be saved before they’re fully complete
⏸️ The new Save Progress feature lets organizers pause and jump back in later
👀 Draft events can be previewed and shared with co‑organizers
✅ When ready, drafts can be submitted to the Community Days content team for review

📌 From the chat:
Attendees asked whether events could be previewed before being saved as drafts. Tom clarified that an event must first be saved as a draft to enable previewing, since incomplete events don’t yet have the required information to display properly.

🔁 Cloning Events & Collaborating with Co‑Organizers
Planning a repeat event? Community Days has your back.

Returning organizers can easily clone past events, reusing structure and settings from previous years - saving time and effort. Collaboration tools make teamwork smoother, too:

📧 Add co‑organizers by email
✏️ Allow co‑organizers to edit and manage events
👤 Choose whether organizers appear publicly on the event page

✅ Good to know:
Only the primary organizer can add co‑organizers, helping maintain clear ownership and smooth governance.

🚀 Ready to put this into action?
If you’re planning a Community Day (or even thinking about one), stop planning and start building. Head to CommunityDays.org today - create your event, save it as a draft, invite co‑organizers, clone last year’s setup, and get moving.

Whether this is your first Community Day or your fifth, CommunityDays.org is built to help you launch faster, collaborate easier, and reach more people.

👉 Go create your event. Go explore the platform. Go use it.

Your community is waiting.

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (Jan/Feb)

IsidoraKatanic — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 23:47:50 GMT

Hi MGCI members!

We have an exciting year ahead of us with many community initiatives around the world. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up next!

MGCI Regional Leader Applications are Now Open!

We are now accepting applications to become a Regional Leader for the Microsoft Community! This is a volunteer leadership role where Regional Leaders share best practices, connect with community regionally and globally and elevate their own game - and others. The Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) empowers Global Microsoft communities with the tools, training, and resources to create impactful events and amplify diverse voices.

**Applications close on Feb 12

#CommunityLuv on Social Media

We’ve been doing a little social‑scrolling lately and loved stumbling across your moments of #CommunityLuv. From personal wins to meetup snapshots to your reflections about 2025, these posts always make us happy. This month, we’re excited to spotlight a fun update from Microsoft MVP Shari L. Oswald, who’s gearing up to lead her first‑ever workshop at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference. She’s bringing some big enthusiasm - and even a special discount code just for you! Check out her announcement on LinkedIn and give her some community cheer. 🎉

From Community to Stage: Women in Microsoft Tech

Looking for amazing women speakers in the Microsoft ecosystem? 💜 The Microsoft Solutions Women in Tech speaker directory on Sessionize is a go‑to resource for community leaders and event organizers. It’s a curated list of talented, knowledgeable women who love sharing their expertise and supporting inclusive tech spaces. Even better - you don’t just have to browse it, you can be part of it. If you’re a woman speaking (or ready to start!) on Microsoft technologies, you can create a profile and get yourself listed too. 👉 Check it out, share it with your network, and help our community grow louder, more diverse, and more connected.

Missed our Events in January?

January 2026 MGCI General Session:

Didn't catch our January 2026 General Session with a Community Overview and AMA or care to watch it again? Check out the recording here.

January 2026 Event Training:

The MGCI Event Training on Sponsorships and Sponsors is a must see. If you weren’t able to make it, check it out here.

Congratulations, and welcome new MVPs!

Each month, Microsoft welcomes a selected group of newly awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVP) into the MVP Program. A big congratulations to the newly awarded MVPs in January!

Need Help to Amplify Your Community Event?

If you’re organizing an event and would like to receive some extra support with your marketing activities – the Microsoft Global Community Initiative offers a Social Amplification Submission for your event. Fill out the form for the opportunity to have your event promoted on our community channels (such as LinkedIn, MTC, Newsletter etc.)

Mondays at Microsoft

Mondays at Microsoft hosted by Heather Cook (Microsoft) and Karuana Gatimu (Microsoft) is a bi-weekly show that aggregates new product announcements and upcoming community events to drive technical skilling and engagement. With deep love for the Microsoft community and very actively involved worldwide, Heather and Karuana take us along on their community journeys. Learn more at https://aka.ms/MondaysAtMicrosoft

In the Spotlights: Global AI Community AgentCon

The Global AI Community is traveling around the world with AgentCon events, enabling and connecting developers to learn and build with AI together. This week, Switzerland stands in the spotlights in the pictures below with a Keynote presented by Dona Sarkar (Microsoft Enterprise AI Advocacy). In case you are interested to attend any of the upcoming events, check out all the locations scheduled in 2026!

📸 Dona Sarkar (Microsoft), Isidora Katanic (Experts Inside AG | Microsoft MVP), Jose Luis Latorre (Swiss Life AG | Microsoft MVP), Zaid Zaim (Neo4j | Microsoft MVP)

Discover Community Events in February

There are tons of active communities around the world who are currently working, volunteering, and supporting upcoming events happening next month. We’ve summed up a few of the February events coming up, which you can all find on https://www.communitydays.org – the place to be to find your favorite events!

o M365 MIAMI: February 6 , Miami, FL, USA

o AICD D365UGME: February 7, Dubai, UAE

o AICD MAHDIA: February 14, Rejiche, Tunisia

o Global Power Platform Bootcamp: February 20, virtual from Poland

o Exchange Summit: February 24-25, Würzburg, Germany

o Knoxville Microsoft Community Days: February 26-27, Maryville, TN, USA

Join our next General Session on February 17^th

Come join us for engaging, interactive conversations with the Microsoft Global Community Initiative, featuring voices from around the world. Board Members, Microsoft leaders, and guest speakers invite you to participate in open discussions and knowledge sharing this February.

📅 February 17th ⏰ 8:10 AM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

📅 February 17th ⏰ 5:10 PM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Join our next Event Training on February 26^th

Join MGCI Board Members Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver who host our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) Event Production Training & Office Hours – and we'd love for you to attend! All are welcome!

February’s topic: Run of Show: What to do the day of the event

📅 February 26th ⏰ 8:10 AM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCITrainingMTG

Celebrate 25 years of SharePoint with us!

Join our global digital event on March 2, 2026 as we look back at SharePoint’s most iconic moments - and look ahead to the next chapter powered by AI. Get an exclusive first look at new content AI capabilities and intelligent experiences that will reshape how people create, manage, and collaborate.

Register now: https://aka.ms/spat25
Read the full announcement: https://aka.ms/spat25/blog
Join the celebration: Share your stories and memories with #SPat25

Find our MGCI Resources

We have helpful MGCI resources available for you such as PowerPoint decks from our General Sessions, Event Training Sessions & Office Hours and other resources to help you run community events such as checklists, how to create a sponsor plan and more relevant tips & tricks.

Stay connected with MGCI on LinkedIn

With nearly 30.000 followers from around the world, we invite you to follow our Microsoft Community on LinkedIn. Here you can find the latest news, frequent updates, and interactive comments on what’s happening in the community.

Sincerely,

Your Board Officers

Microsoft Global Community Initiative

🌍✨ We’re Now Accepting Applications for MGCI Regional Leaders!

EmilyHove — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 23:25:37 GMT

The Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) is now accepting applications for our next cohort of Regional Leaders - volunteer community champions who help shape, support, and amplify Microsoft technical communities worldwide.

💡 Why Become a MGCI Regional Leader?

Join a Global Network

You’ll be part of a worldwide team of leaders, organizers, MVPs, and community builders who support each other, share expertise, and work collectively to help Microsoft communities thrive.

A Chance to Step Up and Lead

This is more than a volunteer role - it’s an opportunity to:

Champion emerging and existing communities
Make space for new speakers and creators
Help local organizers grow successful events
Shape how Microsoft communities operate globally

You’ll directly influence the culture of learning, support, and inclusion across the ecosystem.

️Access Tools That Elevate Your Leadership

You’ll have access to practical tools and programs designed to help you scale your impact and support your region effectively:

MGCI’s global event amplification system
Training and enablement programs
CommunityDays.org listing + tooling
Best‑practice playbooks, templates, and resources
Private channels and subcommittees where strategy is shaped

Grow Your Platform & Visibility

As a Regional Leader, you have a public-facing role representing MGCI in your region.
You’ll connect with event producers, help strengthen local user groups, and become a go‑to resource for community leaders seeking guidance, tools, speakers, or Microsoft support.

🧭 What Regional Leaders Do

Regional Leaders voluntarily help MGCI empower communities across the globe by:

Welcoming & Onboarding

Welcome and onboard new members in the region
Act as a mentor and sounding board
Serve as an onboarding buddy and connector
Create space for new voices and emerging leaders
Share relevant resources, context, and connections

Being the Pulse of Your Region

Maintain awareness of nearby events, communities, speakers, and organizers
Share insights with MGCI leadership so programming remains relevant and inclusive
Help connect leaders to Microsoft resources, speakers, and tools

Sharing Knowledge

Write 1–2 blogs per year (event recaps, community highlights, insights, or stories)
Help amplify diverse voices, regional wins, and local success stories

Showing Up & Staying Informed

Attend at least 50% of Regional Leader / Board meetings
Bring regional perspectives, trends, and challenges to the global conversation

Leading Community Programming

Contribute to at least one MGCI General Session or Event Training per year
(as a speaker, moderator, panelist, facilitator, or content contributor)

Contributing Through Subcommittees

Every Regional Leader participates in one subcommittee, choosing from:

Communications & Amplification
Training & Enablement
Technology & Tools (CommunityDays.org)
Sponsorship Support

This is where strategy becomes action - and where your expertise can genuinely accelerate community impact.

🎯 Who Should Apply?

You’ll be a great fit if you:

Already support or participate in local tech communities

Are passionate about helping events and user groups succeed

Get energy from mentoring or connecting people

Want to elevate your leadership footprint

Are excited to collaborate with a global team

Believe in the power of community to help people learn, share, and grow

📥 Ready to Lead? Apply Now!

Apply here → https://aka.ms/MGCI-RegionalLeaderApplication-2026

This is your opportunity to volunteer and make a global impact while growing your own skills, network, and leadership in meaningful ways. We can’t wait to meet the next group of passionate, community‑driven leaders who will help shape the future of the Microsoft ecosystem.

Let’s Learn. Share. Grow - together. 🌱💙

**application deadline is Thursday, February 12th

Newsletter - Microsoft Global Community Initiative - December 2025

HeatherCook — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 23:44:09 GMT

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter 

December 2025

Hi MGCI members!

As 2025 draws to an end, we would like to reflect and appreciate how far we’ve come as a community. Thank you to everyone around the world for being part of the MGCI initiative. We can’t wait to continue our activities together with you in 2026!

Let’s look back at a few of our recent highlights and take a peek at what’s coming up next year.

Women in Tech & Allies Lunch at ESPC

Thank you to Heather Cook, Karuana Gatimu, Laura Dark, and Danielle Moon for leading such an inspiring Women in Tech panel at ESPC in Dublin. The room was buzzing with energy, and we’re excited to bring more of these empowering conversations to community events in 2026. Thank you to HeuristicDev: The Mentoring Hub for sponsoring!

Happy Birthday SharePoint (in 2026)

Our communities came together in Dublin, Ireland for a pre-celebration of SharePoint’s 25th birthday. We hope you’ll share the love for SharePoint as we head toward the official milestone this March. Here’s to 25 years of innovation, collaboration, and shaping the digital workplace of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Thank you to the SharePoint Community who started off the "Best Community in Tech".

Women in Tech & Allies at Microsoft Ignite

WOW - what incredible energy in the room! Thank you to Heather Cook, Femke Cornelissen, Isidora Katanic, Danielle Moon, and Karuana Gatimu for leading this inspiring panel at Microsoft Ignite last month. They delivered an engaging, interactive session - sharing personal stories about how they learn, lead, and succeed in tech - and answered powerful questions from the audience about becoming better allies.

MGCI Connection Pod at Microsoft Ignite

Helping MGCI grow around the world, Heather Cook (Microsoft) and Isidora Katanic (Board Member) led this connection pod at Microsoft Ignite. At a conference of this scale, it’s incredibly valuable to sit down with a small group and dive deep into how we can support each other and strengthen communities across the globe.

Congratulations, December MVPs!

On December 1st, Microsoft welcomed a selected group of newly awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVP) into the MVP Program. We love to see this community growing - proof of the commitment out there to communities worldwide. A big congratulations to the newly awarded MVPs!

Communitydays.org – your place to go for upcoming events

Curious to check out which events are happening in 2026? Event organizers include their community-driven events to www.communitydays.org – your one-stop shop for conferences and events.

M365 Community Event Organizer Feedback – submit now!

Are you organizing community events focused on Microsoft 365! Please help us understand what topics and resources would support you in planning and running even better events in the future. Submit your feedback here. Thank you!

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Resources

We’ve made it easy for you to find all the MGCI resources you need at your fingertips. This space features the PowerPoint decks from our Monthly General Sessions and Event Training Sessions & Office Hours as well as all MGCI Event Producer playbooks, checklists and templates.

Check out 2025 MGCI General Sessions

Missed any of our 2025 General Sessions? Check out all the recordings here.

Check out 2025 MGCI Event Trainings

Missed any of our 2025 Event Trainings? Catch up on ideas, tips and tricks shared by Event Organizers. Check out all the recordings here.

Join our next General Session on January 20th

We are excited to kick off the new year in our January MGCI General Session. Microsoft and our Board Members will present what’s happening in communities around you. Come join us for interactive chats:

📅 January 20th ⏰ 8:10 AM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

📅 January 20th ⏰ 5:10 PM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Happy Holidays

On behalf of everyone at MGCI, we would like to wish you Happy Holidays. We hope you enjoy this time with your loved ones reflecting on 2025 and looking forward to what’s ahead in 2026.

Sincerely,

Your Board Officers

Microsoft Global Community Initiative

Newsletter - Microsoft Global Community Initiative - November 2025

IsidoraKatanic — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:19:14 GMT

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter

November 2025

👋Hello MGCI Members around the world,

Welcome to this month’s newsletter sharing insights on what’s happening in communities around you.

Microsoft Ignite, Nov 17-21 in San Francisco

It’s November! Which means, Microsoft Ignite is right around the corner and behind the scenes we are preparing theater sessions and connections pods for our community. Check out the schedule for all community-focused sessions and make sure you don’t miss out on session such as:

Tue, Nov 18: Community Connection Pod: Microsoft Global Community Initiative: Connecting People, Powering Impact

Speakers: Heather Cook (Microsoft) & Isidora Katanic (Experts Inside)

This session introduces the Microsoft Global Community Initiative and how it empowers individuals to share knowledge, collaborate, and drive change worldwide. Join us to learn how you can participate, lead, and amplify your voice in this global movement.

Wed, Nov 19: Community Theater: Women in Tech & Allies: Turning Allyship into Action

Speakers: Heather Cook (Microsoft), Karuana Gatimu (Microsoft), Danielle Moon (Microsoft), Isidora Katanic (Experts Inside), Femke Cornelissen (Wortell)

Allyship isn’t a buzzword—it’s a commitment to creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. Join this interactive Community Forum to explore what authentic allyship looks like and why it matters. We’ll share real-world scenarios, practical strategies, and personal stories that highlight how allies can advocate, amplify, and act. Whether you identify as an ally or want to engage allies in your journey, you’ll leave with actionable steps to foster inclusion, challenge bias, and build a culture of equity in tech.

Thu, Nov 20: Community Connection Pod: Engage, Connect, Grow: Your Path in the Microsoft Community

Speakers: Heather Cook (Microsoft), Jonathan Jones (Microsoft), Shari L. Oswald (PowerUP!Learning), Eric Overfield

The Microsoft community is a powerful network of professionals, advocates, and innovators—but where do you start? This interactive session will show you how to get involved, share your expertise, and build your personal brand. Learn best practices from experienced community leaders and discover opportunities to contribute meaningfully. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned participant, you’ll leave inspired and equipped to take your next step.

Next General Session – November 18^th

Don’t miss out on the next General Session taking place on November 18th. Mark your calendars and join us LIVE for the AM or PM session broadcasted on the Microsoft Tech Community. With updates directly from Ignite and other cool community topics, we are looking forward to welcoming you in this month’s general session with:

Topic: Running Events & Building Community in Tough Environments

Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft

Guest Speakers: Augustine Correa, Biz Talk Lead at CompuCom and Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju, Management Executive at Convenant Technologies

In this session, we explore strategies for executing impactful events in challenging or resource-constrained environments. Speakers will share insights on fostering community resilience and engagement when external conditions are less than ideal. Attendees will leave with practical tools and inspiration to build meaningful connections through events, regardless of circumstance.

📅 November 18 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

📅 November 18 ⏰ 5:10 PM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Community Spotlight: #CommunityLuv

Celebrating 3 years of communitydays.org we would like to shine a light on one of our Board Members Tom Daly’s LinkedIn post. What started as a small idea, turned out to be THE one-stop-shop featuring hundreds of Microsoft tech community events around the world.

You can like, share or comment on the post here on LinkedIn.

Congratulations, November MVPs!

On November 1^st, Microsoft welcomed a selected group of newly awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVP) into the MVP Program. We love to see this community growing, which is a proof of the commitment out there to communities worldwide. A big congratulations to the newly awarded MVPs!

ESPC, Dec 1-4, Dublin here we come!

Our MGCI (Board) Members and Microsoft leaders are heading over to Dublin to attend, speak, or staff their sponsor booths at ESPC in Dublin. The conference covers topics around Microsoft 365 & AI technologies and you can still register to attend. More than 3000+ IT enthusiasts will gather together to learn and achieve more with Microsoft 365 & AI. Come join us!

MGCI in December

❄️ Join in with a cup of hot chocolate, as our monthly general session will take place on December 16th, right before the winter break starts. Stay tuned as more details will follow in next month's newsletter.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Community Led Events

Community Days | Fabric Data Days | Nov 4-11 | Hybrid

Community Days | Vancouver Microsoft 365 Summit | November 6 | Vancouver, BC, Canada

Community Days | MN M365 15TH BI-ANNUAL FALL WORKSHOP DAY | November 7 | Edina, Minnesota

Community Days | AI COMMUNITY DAYS - TUNIS | November 8 | Tunis, Tunisia

Community Days | COLLABDAYS GREECE 2025 | November 8 | Virtual

Community Days | Experts Live Emirates 2025 | November 10-11 | Dubai, UAE

Community Days | Viva Engage Festival - APAC | November 12 | APAC Virtual

Community Days | Viva Engage Festival - EMEA | November 12 | EMEA Virtual

Community Days | Update Conference Prague 2025 | November 13-14 | Prague, Czechia

Community Days | Microsoft Ignite 2025 NYC Community Summit | November 17-18 | New York City, NY

Community Days | M365 Community Days DC - Microsoft Ignite 2025 Watch Party + Unconference | November 18 | Washington DC

Community Days | SmartCloud 365 - 2025 | November 25 | Germany Virtual

Community Days | Shift Enter Summit 2025 | November 26 | Mixát, Budapest

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Resources

We’ve made it easy for you to find all the MGCI resources you need at your fingertips. This space features the PowerPoint decks from our Monthly General Sessions and Event Training Sessions & Office Hours as well all MGCI Event Producer playbooks, checklists and templates. Check it out!

Missed last month's events?

In case you missed our October events, you can check out the recordings of the General Sessions here:

AM General Session

PM General Session

And the recording of the Event Organizer training here:

MGCI Event Organizer Training

Sincerely,

Your Board Officers

Microsoft Global Community Initiative

Celebrating Three Years of CommunityDays.org

HeatherCook — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 22:55:26 GMT

Happy Anniversary Communitydays.org

CommunityDays.org—A Brief History

In Autumn 2021, the tech community faced a moment of uncertainty. The beloved SPSEvents.org, a community run non-profit and a cornerstone for SharePoint Saturdays and Microsoft community events, announced its closure. For many, this felt like the end of an era. But for Thomas Daly, a longtime Microsoft MVP and community organizer, it was a call to action.

Recognizing the void left behind, the SharePoint Community began talking - event organizers trading ideas in virtual spaces about how to reconnect with audiences. Many were struggling to reach people, setting up their own websites and relying almost entirely on word of mouth to spread the word about events. Those conversations weren’t just reflections—they became a spark for something new.

At the time all in-person events and user groups had gone virtual or were on hiatus as the Covid-19 Pandemic had forced everyone to embrace digital events for the unforeseeable future.

Here is a throwback to the SPSEvents.org site that many remember and love.

Recognizing the vital role that community-driven events played in technical learning and networking, Thomas Daly talked with Jason Rivera and Manpreet Singh other Microsoft MVPs & leaders in the Tri-State Microsoft community - came together and stepped up to create a new home for these gatherings. Their vision was clear: empower organizers and attendees worldwide to connect, learn, and grow through free, inclusive technical events.

Tom shared his idea with me and Karuana Gatimu: to have the site led and administered by the community. We jumped at the chance to collaborate with the team and support his effort. We proposed that Microsoft contribute by providing the site’s infrastructure and launching a new initiative: the Microsoft Global Community Initiative, to support local, volunteer event producers.

The Launch of CommunityDays.org

By October 13, 2022, CommunityDays.org was officially launched by Tom Daly, sponsored by SoHo Dragon and Microsoft. The launch was announced by Jeff Teper at Microsoft Ignite and accompanied by a blog post from Karuana Gatimu.

The first events followed swiftly, setting the tone for a platform that would champion inclusivity, accessibility, and community-driven events in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Collab Days Belgium (October 15, 2022)
M365 Friday Cincinnati (October 21, 2022)
CollabDays New England (October 22, 2022)
AMS Kuala Lumpur, (October 28, 2022)
AMS Sao Paolo (October 28-29, 2022)
AMS Singapore (October 29, 2022)
Global AI Developer Community Days, Mumbai, India (October 29, 2022)
Global AI Developers Days – Tri-State (October 29, 2022)
Community Days Mexico City (November 3, 2022)

Rooted in the groundbreaking spirit of SharePoint Saturday Events, Community Days expanded beyond SharePoint to embrace the full Microsoft ecosystem—Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Azure, and more. From small workshops to global conferences, the platform has become a trusted hub for discovering and hosting events that democratize access to technical education.

Over the past three years there have 394 events listed on communitydays.org and the momentum grows weekly for organizers listing events on the site.

The Role of MGCI (Microsoft Global Community Initiative)

CommunityDays.org is community led through the work of Tom and a small team who manages the site and via the support of the board and regional leaders of the Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI). MGCI provides resources like event amplification, production training, networking opportunities, and best practices—ensuring community leaders have what they need to succeed. Importantly, MGCI is community-led, with Microsoft offering tools and guidance while the strategy remains in the hands of passionate volunteers. https://aka.ms/MGCI

Partnerships & Connections

CommunityDays.org partners with Sessionize and Run.events, leveraging their APIs to automatically pull event information directly into the platform. This seamless integration ensures that event listings are always up to date and makes it easier for organizers to manage their events efficiently. Additionally, SoHo Dragon has been a valued sponsor since the inception of CommunityDays.org, providing crucial support that has helped the platform grow and thrive alongside the Microsoft community.

Event organizers can list their events for free, use the call for sponsorship area to manage dealing with sponsors, there are listings of monthly and weekly technical learning community calls, and there is a Speakerboard that shares speaker stats from free community events.

Tom leads the administration of the site and shares updates on new features and functionality of the site on the monthly MCGI General Session Meetings.

A big thank you to all who have helped with testing and Q&A. Apologies if we missed you, shout out and we’ll add you in. 😊

Augustine Correa
Bryan Hart
Carl Karawani
Daniel Glenn
David Leveille
David Patrick
Emily Mancini
Haniel Croitoru
Jamel Abed
Jamie Willis-Rose
Jason Rivera
Jonathan Weaver
Manpreet Singh
Mark Rahn
Martin Rövekamp
Michal Ziemba
Mike Maadarani
Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju
Pat McGown
Rachel Irabor
Rob Windsor
Russ Onizuka
Ryan Schouten
Samir Makwana
Shari Oswald
Sharon Weaver
Thomas Daly
Wes Preston

With Gratitude

This success story belongs to you—the organizers, speakers, volunteers, and attendees who make these events possible. Your dedication to sharing knowledge and fostering connections has created a global network of learning and collaboration.

Special thanks to:

Founders and early champions: Thomas Daly, Jason Rivera, and Manpreet Singh,
Community organizers worldwide who give countless hours to host free-to-attend events.
MGCI Advisory Board - (Board Members and Regional Leaders) for operational support, and volunteering time for quality testing and amplification of the events.
Thank you to Shortcut Shari (Shari Oswald) who create the 3^rd Anniversary sticker

It was super fun to celebrate this milestone during the Experts Live US event in New York City with all the attendees and organizer and Community.days.org founder Tom Daly. (photo of Experts Lives speakers, volunteers, and sponsors)

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate three years, we look forward to continuing this journey together—expanding opportunities, embracing new technologies, and strengthening the bonds that make our community extraordinary.

Here’s to many more years of learning, sharing, and growing—together!
Visit CommunityDays.org and Microsoft Global Community Initiative to get involved.

Newsletter - Microsoft Global Community Initiative - October 2025

IsidoraKatanic — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:12:39 GMT

Hello MGCI Members,

It's great to be back from the break - We hope you enjoyed the Summer hiatus as much as we did and are as excited as we are about the upcoming happenings in our community this upcoming quarter. Momentum is building across the Microsoft Global Community Initiative.

We’re Live!

The Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) are on Adoption.Microsoft.com has a new Resources Page with the PowerPoint decks and on-demand recordings of General Sessions, Event Trainings and downloadable templates for event producers to leverage. https://aka.ms/MGCIResources

Recordings from and Next MGCI General Session

Thank you for joining our September General Session. In case you missed or would like to rewatch the recording, check it out here.

Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group

Guest Speaker(s): Nikkia Carter | AI For Everyone: Making Microsoft Copilot Work for Global Communities

Next General Session:

Don’t miss out on the next General Session taking place in October! Mark your calendars and join us LIVE for the AM or PM session.

📅 October 21st (Option 1)⏰ 8:10 AM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

📅 October 21st (Option 2)⏰ 5:10 PM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group

Guest Speaker(s): Perla Ramirez | Behind the Mic: Powering Great Sessions with Speaker Support

Recordings from and Next MGCI Event Training

Hosts: Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver

September's topic: Graphics & Branding for Community Events - In case you missed or would like to rewatch the recording, check it out here.

This month's topic: Marketing & Social Media for Community Events

📅 October 30 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCITrainingMTG

Community Spotlight – Experts Live US

KEYNOTE: Microsoft 365 Innovations in the Era of AI with Adam Harmetz, VP of Product at Microsoft

Join Adam on October 10th in New York City for Experts Live US (free event!) as he dives into the latest innovations in Microsoft 365 and Copilot.

This keynote will:

Share how customers are adopting Copilot and provide key advice for IT Pros to enable their organizations.
Explore reimagining business processes with agents and Copilot integration.
Feature immersive live demos of Microsoft 365 Copilot, Teams, and SharePoint

Adam Harmetz, VP of Product, Microsoft

Next to fantastic speakers and sessions, we also have Heather Cook lead a Panel Discussion on: Rising Together: Allyship, Acceleration & Women Who Lead Tech Forward

In case you would like to attend, go to the Experts Live US website and get your ticket! Experts Live US is proud to support STEM Kids NYC, helping them bring technical classes, materials and support to kids in the New York City area. All proceeds from the attendee registration will be donated to STEM Kids NYC.

Community Spotlight - #CommunityLuv

We love to scroll through different social media channels and see what our community has posted with hashtag #CommunityLuv. In this month’s community spotlight, we are featuring the following post by Microsoft Speaker Hub:

“🌟 Change Maker of the Week Belinda Allen🌟

This week, we shine a light on Belinda Allen, a Microsoft MVP, MCT, and Director of Enablement at iLink Digital. Belinda reminds us that technology is not only about tools, but about people. She uses her work and her presence on LinkedIn to build community, amplify voices, and open doors for those finding their way in tech.

Belinda Allen, Change Maker of the Week

Her story reflects this truth: “Strong women don’t wait for doors to open; they build new ones for others to walk through.”
Belinda’s journey shows us how strength, kindness, and a commitment to growth can make a lasting difference.”

Would you like to be featured in our newsletter? Share you community posts with hashtag #CommunityLuv.

Introducing User Groups on Microsoft Tech Community

User Groups are a new feature currently in preview on the Microsoft Tech Community – fully launching by end of September, designed to bring together individuals with shared interests, roles, or technologies, and enable deeper collaboration, discussion, and learning.

Join the Preview:

Visit https://aka.ms/mtc/usergroups
Sign in with your Microsoft account to participate
Browse available groups or select create a new user group to start your own!
Share feedback to help shape the future of User Groups

Find community-led user groups to connect, engage and learn from fellow community members, MVPs and employees.

All AgentCon events now online!

Great news! All AgentCon events are now published online on CommunityDays.org - so go check them out to see if there’s an event in your area – or possibly a location in the world you’ve always wanted to visit. Join the AI Agents World Tour, a global series of one-day conferences designed exclusively for developers building the future with autonomous AI agent.

Microsoft Ignite

Come meet our (Board) Members from around the world at Microsoft Ignite this November 17-21, 2025 in San Francisco, United States. Registration is still open, so come join us to bolster your knowledge, build connections, and explore emerging technologies.

Microsoft MVPs at Microsoft Ignite 2024 #welovecommunity

In the meantime, follow the Microsoft Events channel where Rick Claus (Microsoft) takes us behind the scenes in the Ignite Unplugged video series on YouTube, featuring speakers and exciting conference updates. In the latest episode Rick speaks with Mark Russinovich about cloud-native computing and what to expect at Microsoft Ignite 2025. Check out our new page of all things Community at Ignite: https://aka.ms/CommunityAtIgnite2025

More upcoming events

More upcoming events

Are you looking for community-driven conferences around the world? Check out communiytdays.org for a complete list of what’s coming up in the communities around you.

Upcoming Community Produced (Paid) Events

Community Days | Identity Days Paris 2025 | Oct 20-21 | Paris, France

Community Days | DynUG Autumn Conference 2025 | Nov 25-26 | Oslo, Norway

Community Days | ESPC25 | Dec 1-4 | Dublin, Ireland

Check out all the listings on t communitydays.org

We are stepping into event season with energy and inspiration and, MGCI continues to shine online and in person! From local skilling events on https://communitydays.org to dynamic collaborations across continents, your passion and impact are lighting up every corner of our shared journey.

🚀 AgentCon events are now listed on communitydays.org.
🔥 Microsoft Ignite is just around the corner this November - get ready for groundbreaking announcements and deep dives.
🌍 And we’re now live https://aka.ms/MGCIResources, making it easier than ever to access resources that empower and connect.

There’s so much goodness happening, and it’s all driven by you - our incredible community. Let’s keep building, learning, and growing together. The future is bright, and we’re just getting started.

Stay tuned for more updates, opportunities, and stories from across the Microsoft Global Community Initiative!

For more information: https://aka.ms/MGCI

For blogs, forums and MGCI meeting listings: https://aka.ms/MGCICommunityHub

Sincerely,

Your Board Officers

Microsoft Global Community Initiative

Newsletter - Microsoft Global Community Initiative - July 2025

Jennifer-Mason — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:14:10 GMT

Hello MGCI Members,

Welcome to this month’s newsletter including the latest news and highlights happening in our communities around the world.

Event Spotlight - TechCon365 + PWRCON + DATACON Seattle

Last week, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Azure enthusiasts gathered in Seattle for TechCon365 + PWRCON + DATACON—a powerhouse three-in-one event packed with over 130 sessions, 25+ hands-on workshops, and a bustling expo floor. Experts covered everything from Copilot Studio and Fabric to governance, identity, and secure collaboration. Keynotes and deep dives by MVPs, Microsoft engineers, and community leaders brought a real-world lens to how AI is reshaping the workplace.

A major focus this year was empowering IT pros and developers to use AI responsibly and effectively. Sessions highlighted extending Microsoft Copilot with context, controls, and governance; best practices for data integration and automation in Power Platform; and practical demos for building secure, scalable apps. The energy was high throughout the week—especially in community networking events, AMA booths, and peer-led workshops.

Why it matters to our community: This event wasn’t just about learning new tools—it was about transforming ideas into impact. Attendees walked away with strategies, templates, and governance models they can immediately use. More importantly, it strengthened connections across the global tech community, creating new opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and innovation. Events like TechCon365 show the power of shared knowledge and the momentum we build when we grow together.

Congratulations! - 2025 Microsoft Power Women Award Winners

The Microsoft Power Women Awards are part of our continued mission to celebrate, elevate, and empower women in technology across its partner organizations in the EMEA region. This initiative is one of the ways Microsoft champions greater diversity and inclusion within our partner ecosystem, and beyond. Check out our 2025 winners here - Power Women Igniting Inspiration – Microsoft Pulse

Community Spotlight - #CommunityLuv

We love to scroll through different social media channels and see what our community has posted with hashtag #CommunityLuv. In this month’s community spotlight we are reminded that community isn’t just about sessions and keynotes—it’s also about the laughs, the late-night dinners, and the friendships that span countries and time zones. This month’s #CommunityLuv spotlight features a group of friends—including MGCI Board Member Mark Rackley and MGCI Regional Lead and conference leader David Wilhelm—sharing sushi and stories after a long day of learning. These are the moments that make our community feel like family—where connections go beyond the tech and turn into lifelong friendships.

Would you like to be featured in our newsletter? Share you community posts with hashtag #CommunityLuv.

General Session Recording

Thank you to everyone who joined us at this month’s General Session.

The recording is available here on our Microsoft Tech Community

Thank you to Tim Balk for a great presentation and conversation!

Topic: Unconventional Ways to Promote Community Events

Join host Heather Cook and our MGCI board members who will update you on all things MGCI. Learn from our guest speaker Tim Balk who will talk about stepping outside the usual flyers and Facebook posts with creative, unexpected strategies to draw attention and build excitement for your next community event. From sidewalk chalk art and mystery teaser campaigns to pop-up performances and interactive installations, this guide explores inventive approaches that engage curiosity, spark conversations, and bring people together in surprising ways.

Next General Session – July 15

Don’t miss out on the next General Session taking place on June 17. Mark your calendars and join us LIVE for the AM or PM session broadcasted on the Microsoft Tech Community.

Guest Speaker Topic: Thriving Against the Odds: Building a Formidable Community in Unfavorable Environments

Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft

Guest Speaker: Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju, Management Executive at Convenant Technologies

📅 July 15 ⏰ 8:00 AM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

📅 July 15 ⏰ 5:00 PM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Event Training Recording

Thank you to everyone who joined us at this month’s General Session.

The recording is available here: Event Training: Speaker Selection for Community Events - June 2025

Thank you to our hosts: Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver

This month's topic: Speaker Selection for Community Events

Choosing the right speaker can make or break an event. In this session, we’ll explore effective strategies for identifying, evaluating, and securing speakers who align with your event goals and audience expectations. Learn how to balance expertise, engagement, and logistical fit to ensure your event delivers real value. Whether you're planning a small workshop or a large conference, this training will give you the tools to make informed, confident speaker selections.

Upcoming Events

Communities around the world are hosting events to bring the community together to learn, network and have fun. Don’t miss out on what’s happening around you – check out communitydays.org to find upcoming events. Are you organizing a full day or multi-day event yourself? Make sure you list it on communitydays.org, so others can find your event too.

Upcoming Community Led Events

Community Days | DynamicsCon Regional - West Africa | July 19 | Accra, Ghana
Community Days | M365 Community Days NYC | July 25 | New York, New York
Community Days | DynamicsCon Regional - Rocky Mountain | August 21 | Denver, Co
Community Days | DynamicsCon Regional - Ohio Valley | August 26-27 | Dublin, Ohio

Upcoming Community Produced (Paid) Events

Community Days | AI Community Conference - AICO DC | July 10-11 | Reston, Virginia
Community Days | TechCon 365 Atlanta 2025 | August 11-15 | Atlanta, Georgia
Community Days | North American Cloud and Collaboration Summit | Sept 7-9 | Branson, Missouri
Community Days | European Microsoft Fabric Community Conference 2025 | Sept 15-18 | Vienna, Austria
Community Days | Identity Days Paris 2025 | Oct 20-21 | Paris, France
Community Days | DynUG Autumn Conference 2025 | Nov 25-26 | Oslo, Norway
Community Days | ESPC25 | Dec 1-4 | Dublin, Ireland

Sincerely,

Your Board Officers

Microsoft Global Community Initiative

Newsletter - Microsoft Global Community Initiative - June 2025

HeatherCook — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:24:16 GMT

Hello MGCI Members,

Welcome to this month’s newsletter including the latest news and highlights happening in our communities around the world. We hope you are doing well.

Join the Conversation

We encourage all MGCI members to actively participate in our community discussions. Whether you have questions, ideas, or experiences to share, our discussion groups are the perfect place to connect with fellow members. Engage in meaningful conversations, seek advice, and contribute to the collective knowledge of our community.

Visit our discussion groups to ask questions and share your ideas. Your insights and contributions are invaluable to the growth and success of the MGCI community. Let's continue to learn and grow together!

General Session & Event Training Recordings

Thank you to everyone who joined us at this month’s General Session.

The recording is available here on Microsoft Tech Community. 

Matt Slaga, gave a wonderful overview of the offerings from Microsoft for Non-Profits and talk about his experience and best practices over the years working with, supporting and teaching many non-profits to help them with their organizations. Matt has 25 years of multi-vendor voice and collab experience, CCIE and MCM/MCSM. His current role is delivering cloud-first, remote-first, and digital-first solutions at scale to enhance resiliency and security for customers while optimizing costs. Matt spends his off hours on providing support for non-profit organizations and providing technical certification scholarships for aspiring future leaders. (IT4NP | Helping Non-Profits Focus on Changing the World, Rather Than IT. and FTSI | Mentoring Tomorrow's Tech Leaders Today).

Thank you to all who joined us for the Event Training on Committee Roles & Responsibilities for Event Production - May 2025 | Microsoft Community Hub - the recording will be located on this page next week.

Upcoming Events

MGCI member meetup at European Collaboration Summit

Antonio Maio, Mike Maadarani and Isidora Katanic in-person at ECS in Düsseldorf on May 26-28, 2025.

Community Spotlight: CollabDays Poland 2025

Wow! Such great energy at CollabDays Poland, where the community gathered together for pre-day workshops and a full day event. Here’s a glimpse of the event and a big shout out to Microsoft MVP Edyta Gorzon and the organizing team behind CollabDays. We love to see how our #CommunityRocks around the world🤘

Community Spotlight - #CommunityLuv

We love to scroll through different social media channels and see what our community has posted with hashtag #CommunityLuv. In this month’s community spotlight we are featuring the following picture shared by Meron G who attended DynamicsCon on May 13-16 in Chicago, USA.

Would you like to be featured in our newsletter? Share you community posts with hashtag #CommunityLuv.

Looking back at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference

Lots of fun and goodness in Las Vegas from this conference - you can find on-demand content from the event on the Microsoft Community Learning Channel - keynotes, featured sessions, interviews, podcasts and more. https://aka.ms/M365conf25/content

All keynote sessions are now available for on-demand viewing. Simply visit our playlist on the Microsoft Community Learning channel on YouTube for this and more great content about our products and the impact you are driving with them. Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications to get alerted every time we drop new information for you. Share the entire channel with your friends and colleagues via https://aka.ms/Community/Learning

Tues June 17 - Next General Session

Don’t miss out on the next General Session taking place on June 17. Mark your calendars and join us LIVE for the AM or PM session broadcasted on the Microsoft Tech Community.

Topic: Unconventional Ways to Promote Community Events, Tim Balk

MGCI General Session AM - June 2025 - Unconventional Ways to Promote Community Events | Microsoft Community Hub

📅 June 17⏰ 8:10 AM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

MGCI General Session PM - June 2025 - Unconventional Ways to Promote Community Events | Microsoft Community Hub

📅 June 17⏰ 5:10 PM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Thurs June 26 - Next MGCI Event Training

Join MGCI Board Members Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver who host our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) Event Production Training & Office Hours – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome!

Hosts: Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver

This month's topic: Speaker Selection for Community Events

📅 June 26 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCITrainingMTG

Event Training: Speaker Selection for Community Events - June 2025 | Microsoft Community Hub

Event Guides

Check out the event guide for TechCon/PWRCon/DataCon Seattle 2025. Stay informed and make the most of these opportunities!

https://aka.ms/TechCon/2025/Seattle/EventGuide

Microsoft Flagship Events

Microsoft Build has a site full of keynotes, sessions, the book of news and information located here: Your home for Microsoft Build

As we look ahead to an exciting season of innovation and connection, we’re reminded of the incredible power of our global community. Whether you're engaging in local technical skilling events on communitydays.org, or collaborating online, your contributions are what drive our shared success. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey—let’s keep building, learning, and growing together.

Stay tuned for more updates, opportunities, and stories from across the Microsoft Global Community Initiative!

Sincerely,

Your Board Officers

Microsoft Global Community Initiative

Newsletter - April 2025 - Microsoft Global Community Initiative

Jennifer-Mason — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 03:06:41 GMT

Hello MGCI Members,

We are excited to bring you the latest updates and opportunities to engage with the Microsoft Global Community Initiative around the world.

Join the Conversation

Stay Up to Date with Upcoming Events

www.communitydays.org is your one-stop shop to find out about events happening near you. Communities from around the world include their events on this site and we invite you to add your User Group, Conference, or any other tech gathering you organize for the Microsoft Community too. Keep an eye out for Call for Speakers at many events around the world where organizers look for talents to share their knowledge.

Upcoming General Session: Microsoft for Non-Profits 101

📅 May 20 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT or 5:10 PM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Topic: Microsoft for Non-Profits 101

Join host Heather Cook and our MGCI board members who will update you on all things MGCI and our guest speaker Matt Slaga, who will give a wonderful overview of the offerings from Microsoft for Non-Profits and talk about his experience and best practices over the years working with, supporting and teaching many non-profits to help them with their organizations.

Upcoming Training Event: Committee Roles & Responsibilities for Event Production

📅 May 29 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCITrainingMTG

Join us on Committee Roles & Responsibilities for Event Production - May 2025 | Microsoft Community Hub session. This month's topic is "Committee Roles & Responsibilities for Event Production." Hosts Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver will break down the key roles within an event committee, from planning and logistics to marketing and sponsorships. Learn how to define responsibilities clearly, foster collaboration, and keep your event on track. Whether you’re leading a team or joining one, you’ll leave with practical strategies to make your next event run smoothly.

Check Out Past Event Recordings

Missed an event? No worries! You can catch up on all the valuable insights and discussions by checking out our past event recordings.

One of the highlights is our monthly MGCI General Session - Microsoft Loop for Content Creation and Event Production, hosted by Karuana Gatimu and featuring guest speaker Adam Salah. This session covers how to use Microsoft Loop to drive project planning and content organization, coupled with Copilot, Teams, and Whiteboard to collaborate effectively.

Visit our events page to access this recording and many others. Stay informed and inspired by the wealth of knowledge shared in our community.

Community Spotlight - Comms V Next

Comms vNext 2025 was more than a conference — it was a reunion of passionate professionals who are building the future of communication together. With new ideas, stronger connections, and practical insights in hand, attendees left feeling energized and ready to take on what’s next. Heather Cook shared her thoughts on the event, emphasizing the collaborative spirit and innovative ideas that emerged from the sessions. That’s a wrap – Microsoft 365 at Comms vNext 2025 | Microsoft Community Hub - to read the full event summary blog and relive the highlights. Whether you attended or missed the event, the blog provides a comprehensive overview of the key takeaways and memorable moments.

Event Guides

Check out the event guides for several upcoming events, including European Cloud Summit 2025, and TechCon/PWRCon/DataCon Seattle 2025. Stay informed and make the most of these opportunities!

Microsoft Flagship Events

Microsoft Build is Microsoft’s flagship annual developer conference, bringing together software engineers, tech enthusiasts, and industry leaders from around the world. The event offers a front-row seat to the latest innovations in cloud computing, AI, developer tools, and more. Attendees gain early access to product announcements, technical sessions led by Microsoft engineers, and hands-on labs that deepen skills across the Microsoft ecosystem. Whether you're building web apps, integrating AI into your products, or scaling solutions with Azure, Microsoft Build is the place to learn, connect, and shape the future of technology.

Microsoft Build 2025 is scheduled for May 19–22, 2025, at the Seattle Convention Center in Seattle, Washington. The conference offers both in-person and free online attendance options.

Microsoft Build 2025 will feature dedicated community spaces designed to foster networking and collaboration among attendees.

To register and secure your spot, visit the official Microsoft Build website: https://build.microsoft.com

As we look ahead to an exciting season of innovation and connection, we’re reminded of the incredible power of our global community. Whether you're joining us at Microsoft Build, engaging in local technical skilling events on communitydays.org, or collaborating online, your contributions are what drive our shared success. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey—let’s keep building, learning, and growing together. Stay tuned for more updates, opportunities, and stories from across the Microsoft Global Community Initiative!

Sincerely,

Your Board Officers

Microsoft Global Community Initiative

Share Your Community Story via Video

HeatherCook — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:56:24 GMT

We are creating some new fun videos to be shared on our Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel and during some MGCI Community Produced and Community Led Events. Microsoft 50th Anniversary is all year long and the big 25 is coming for SharePoint next year!

If you would like to participate all you need to do is answer the following questions regarding being a part of the Best Community in Tech.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us how you got involved in the MICROSOFT 365 community?

What motivated you to join this community, and what keeps you engaged?

How did joining the MICROSOFT 365 community help you achieve your personal or professional goals?

How has the community helped you in your personal or professional development?

Have you been to many MICROSOFT 365 events? Can you share a memorable experience?

Why do you think MICROSOFT 365 is called the “best community in tech”?

How do feel about SharePoint celebrating 24 years and Microsoft celebrating 50 years?

What has the MICROSOFT 365 community meant to you?

Feel free to record in English or your native language if other than English as we are a global community.

Other tips:

1) Please answer in complete sentences, i.e. “MICROSOFT 365 helped me become a…” or “this community has really helped me to find…”, etc.

2) Pause between each answer, look at the camera, smile before you start each answer. Keep looking into the camera at the end of each answer.

Once completed, please upload your videos here: MICROSOFT 365_videos - we are accepting videos until Friday April 11th. Excited to have you all participate!! Questions, let me know. 

Getting ready to be on-camera!

A few things to keep in mind when filming with a smartphone:

It needs to be shot with the phone horizontal, not vertical.

Confirm your setting is to 1080p at 30fps.

Frame the shot nicely and make sure the lighting is bright (and that you are not backlit or in a shadow).

Use a microphone if possible!

We also recommend using a tripod or a smartphone stand.

Prop the phone up so the shot is stationary and steady.

Consider your environment and location. Be in a quiet area and with little clutter behind you.

If possible, please record the content twice and send us two videos so we have 2 takes to choose from.

Recording with an iPhone

Use Camera  to record videos on your iPhone

Choose Video mode.

Tap the Record button or press either volume button to start recording. While recording, you can do the following:

Pinch the screen to zoom in and out.

For a more precise zoom on models with Dual and Triple camera systems, touch and hold 1x, then drag the slider to the left.

Tap the Record button or press either volume button to stop recording.
Anything captured automatically saves to your device’s Photo Library.

By default, video records at 30 frames per second (fps). Depending on your model, you can choose other frame rates and video resolution settings in Settings 

 > Camera > Record Video. Faster frame rates and higher resolutions result in larger video files. Confirm your setting is to 1080p at 30fps.

To display quick toggles on iPhone X and earlier, go to Settings 

 > Camera > Record Video, then turn on Video Format Control.

Adjust Auto FPS settings: On iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and later, iPhone can improve the video quality in low-light situations by automatically reducing the frame rate to 24 fps.

Go to Settings 

 > Camera > Record Video, then do one of the following:

On iPhone 12 models, tap Auto FPS, then apply Auto FPS to only 30-fps video or to both 30- and 60-fps video.

On iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and iPhone 11 models, turn on Auto Low Light FPS.

Record a video on your Android phone

You can record real time videos on your phone. You can also record time-lapse videos that speed up when you play them.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 10 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Record a video

Important: When you take a video, your phone silences notification sounds to avoid an interruption.

To quickly record a video, open your Google Camera app, then touch and hold Capture .

Open your Camera App . Learn how.

To switch to video mode, tap Video.

To start recording, tap Record.

To put a cut in your video, tap Pause . To start recording again, tap Record.

To take a high-resolution photo while recording a video, tap Capture.

To stop recording, tap Stop.

Tip: You can change your camera settings to use features like gridlines or a flash. Learn how to adjust how your camera records.

Wardrobe Guidelines

Avoid wearing solid white, black, or red shirts

Pastel and jewel colors work well, as do blues and earth tones.

Avoid small prints, stripes, plaid or intricate patterns (e.g. Herringbone, tweed, etc.) - these can vibrate on camera.

Or wear shirts with logos showcasing MICROSOFT 365 or other product or tech fun.

Cheers and thank you for submitting your community story!

Newsletter - Microsoft Global Community Initiative  - March 2025

HeatherCook — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 18:57:52 GMT

Hello MGCI Members,

After the winter hiatus, the MGCI newsletter is back bringing you the latest news about what’s happening in our global communities. We are excited to share this edition of our monthly newsletter, where you will find the latest updates, events and opportunities to engage with the Microsoft Global Community Initiative around the world.

MGCI Website

It’s now even easier for our global community to find more information, become a member, find or list an event, and meet the Board Advisors and Regional Leaders. Spread the word in your network, share the link to the MGCI website and let’s grow this community together. Everyone is welcome!

We're Moving!

The Microsoft Global Community Initiative is moving from its current home on the Community Tenant to a new Community Hub on the Microsoft Tech Community.

We are currently adding content, resources, blogs and events to the new site. The current MGCI Teams will be retiring as of June 30, 2025.

Please head over to, right here where you are!

https://aka.ms/MGCICommunityHub

To follow, like or comment, one needs to be signed into the Microsoft Tech Community. Please use the "Follow" button once signed in to be notified of new discussions, blogs and events in our MGCI Community Hub.

Next General Session & Past Recordings

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the past two months.

 A special thank you to our Guest Speaker Michal Ziemba for sharing his insights about event automation in February and Pat McGown on event amplification this month.

Our next General Session

📅 April 15 - we host in two time zones
⏰ 8:10 AM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM
🌙 5:10 PM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Guest Speaker: Adam Salah, AI enthusiast and part time researcher. MCSE/MCSD SharePoint, Productivity, Data and Analytics platforms. Content AI, Copilot, Compliance. DevOps, MSF and VIVA practitioner.

Topic: How to use Microsoft Loop for content creation and event production

Microsoft Loop to drive project planning and content organization. Coupled with Copilot, Teams and Whiteboard, collaborate to plan for and organize events. Originally created for Simon Fraser University as "Loop/Team/Whiteboard for educators".

On-demand:

Automating Your Events - MGCI General Session | February 2025

MGCI General Session | March 2025

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events Around The World

www.communitydays.org is your one-stop shop to find out about events happening near you. Communities from around the world include their events on this site and we invite you to add your User Group, Conference, or any other tech gathering you organize for the Microsoft Community too. Keep an eye out for Call for Speakers at many events around the world where organizers look for talents to share their knowledge.

Community Spotlight - Microsoft 365 Community Conference

On May 6-8, 2025 the M365 community meets in…..Las Vegas! Reimagine what's possible for your career, your team, your business - and for work itself. Connect with hundreds of Microsoft executives, subject matter experts, and product makers to unlock solutions that will accelerate your AI transformation. Featured speakers include Heather Cook, Karuana Gatimu, Jeff Teper, Adam Harmetz, Jared Spataro, Nicole Herskowitz and many other brilliant speakers you don’t want to miss. Learn more.

Microsoft Build: Dates Announced!

Microsoft recently launched the dates & location of Microsoft Build on May 19-22, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Sign up to get notified when registration opens.

Event Highlight: European Collaboration Summit

This year the European Collaboration Summit (ECS) takes place on May 26-28 in Düsseldorf, Germany. It’s one of the largest community-driven conferences in Europe you don’t want to miss! Key speakers from around the world travel to this event, as well as tech enthusiasts eager to learn about Microsoft technologies and 3rd party solutions. Mark your calendars and get your ticket now!

Add your Event to communitydays.org

We are incredibly proud of the work that our Board Member Thomas Daly is doing together with the team, to keep communitydays.org up-to-date and continuously making improvements and adding new features. If you are organizing an event on your own, make sure to add it on communitydays.org for global visibility. And thank you to all who help with bug fixes and new ideas from our MGCI Community, it takes a village!

Community Spotlight - #CommunityLuv

“Had a fantastic conversation with @buckleyplanet on his MVPBuzzChat series! Check out his blog and the video! #MVPBuzz #Azure #MSIntune #CommunityLuv #Microsoft #CommunityRocks”

You can check out the video here on YouTube.

Would you like to be featured in our newsletter? Share you community posts with hashtag #CommunityLuv.

Welcoming our new MGCI Board Members

We are excited to welcome Sharon Weaver and Wes Preston to the MGCI Board! Both bring a lot of passion for community, knowledge and enthusiasm into our program from being Regional Leaders, Microsoft MVPs and long time event producers. Congratulations!

Sincerely,

Your Board Officers

Microsoft Global Community Initiative

CommunityDays.org

Jennifer-Mason — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:15:00 GMT

In today's rapidly evolving tech landscape, continuous learning and community engagement are paramount. Rooted in the pioneering efforts of the SharePoint Saturday not-for-profit team, Community Days has expanded its reach to encompass a wide array of Microsoft technologies, including Power Platform, Azure, and the comprehensive Microsoft 365 suite.

A Legacy of Community-Driven Learning

The inception of CommunityDays.org traces back to November 2021, following the announcement of SPSEvents.org's closure. Recognizing the indispensable role such a platform played in uniting tech enthusiasts, Jason Rivera, Manpreet Singh, and Thomas Daly—stalwarts of the Tri-State community—spearheaded the creation of a new site. Their mission was clear: provide a centralized hub for organizing and discovering community-led events. Thomas Daly, a Microsoft 365 Apps & Services MVP and seasoned developer, brought his extensive experience to the forefront, ensuring the platform serves the diverse needs of the tech community.

Diverse Events for a Global Audience

Community Days events are as varied as the communities they serve. From intimate workshops to large-scale conferences, these events are organized by the community, for the community, with robust support from Microsoft and its partners. The platform champions inclusivity, inviting anyone with a passion for technology to host events on topics pertinent to the industry. This approach fosters a rich tapestry of learning opportunities, enabling participants to delve into subjects ranging from cloud computing with Azure to collaborative tools within Microsoft 365.

Empowering Organizers and Participants

Beyond event listings, CommunityDays.org offers a suite of resources tailored for both organizers and attendees. Aspiring event hosts can access comprehensive guides on event planning, leverage a media kit for promotional purposes, and tap into a network of seasoned organizers for mentorship. Participants, on the other hand, can effortlessly locate events in their vicinity or explore virtual sessions, ensuring that geographical boundaries don't impede learning. The platform's commitment to openness ensures that all events remain free to attendees, democratizing access to quality technical education.

A Collaborative Effort

The success of CommunityDays.org is a testament to collaborative synergy. Supported operationally by the Microsoft Global Community Initiative Advisory Board and Steering Committee, the platform benefits from strategic guidance and resources. Additionally, partnerships with organizations like SoHo Dragon, Sessionize, and run.events enhance the platform's capabilities, offering tools for efficient event management and speaker coordination. This collective effort ensures that both organizers and participants have a seamless and enriching experience.

Join the Movement

Whether you're a tech novice eager to learn or a seasoned professional looking to give back, CommunityDays.org invites you to be part of this vibrant community. Explore upcoming events, consider hosting your own, and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion. Together, we can foster a culture of continuous learning and mutual support in the tech world.

For more information and to get involved, visit CommunityDays.org.

What is the Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI)?

Jennifer-Mason — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 17:00:00 GMT

The Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) is a comprehensive program designed to support and empower community leaders around the world. It offers a variety of resources, including event amplification, production training, blogs, networking opportunities, and best practices for using technology and tools. By joining the MGCI, members gain access to monthly calls, training sessions, and opportunities to network with other community members.

One of the key features of the MGCI is the Community Advisory Board, which includes both community members and Microsoft employees. This board influences the strategy, resources, and logistics of Microsoft 365 community programs. The initiative is not led or controlled by Microsoft but is directed by community leaders themselves, supported by Microsoft's resources, talent, and tools.

The MGCI also provides a platform for community-led events, such as Microsoft Community Days, which can include various types of events like Power Platform Community Days and Azure Community Days. These events offer a foundation for connections, learning, and fun, whether held in-person or virtually.

The initiative was born out of the need to continue supporting the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, which deeply impacted community initiatives like SharePoint Saturdays. The MGCI embraces a central guiding principle: it is directed by the community leaders themselves, supported by Microsoft resources.

By joining the MGCI, members receive exclusive benefits, such as invites to monthly General Session meetings, opportunities to network and learn from other community members, and access to resources and training. The initiative aims to create a better-connected and engaged community for everyone.

Resources & Quick Links - February 2025

Jennifer-Mason — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 17:00:00 GMT

This post serves as a quick summary for all essential MGCI resources, including sign-up forms, meeting links, feedback surveys, and session recordings. Whether you're a new member looking to get started or a returning participant seeking meeting details, you’ll find everything you need right here.

MGCI Essential Links

Below is a table of key MGCI resources. Bookmark this page for easy access to the most up-to-date information.

Item	URL
MGCI AMC Home Page	https://aka.ms/MGCI
MGCI Sign Up Form	https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP
MGCI Advisors Page	https://aka.ms/MGCIAdvisors
MGCI General Session AM	https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM
MGCI General Session PM	https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM
MGCI Meeting Feedback Survey	https://aka.ms/MGCIFeedback
MGCI General Session Recordings on CT	https://aka.ms/MGCI/MeetingRecordings
MGCI Post-Event Survey to Producers	https://aka.ms/MGCIProducerPostEventSurvey
MGCI Event Producers History	https://aka.ms/MGCIEventProducerHistoryForm

**List last updated February 2025

How to Use These Resources

New to MGCI? Start by visiting the MGCI AMC Home Page to learn more about our mission and activities.
Want to get involved? Fill out the MGCI Sign-Up Form to join the community.
Attending a session? Use the AM and PM meeting links to join live discussions.
Missed a session? Catch up by accessing the Meeting Recordings anytime.
Have feedback? Help us improve by completing the MGCI Feedback Survey after each session.

As new links become available, we will create new posts to share them with the community.

MGCI News articles

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (April)

💗 SharePoint Turned 25

🌎 MGCI Regional Leader Update

🗣️ MGCI Monthly General Sessions

📅 General Sessions: On Deck

👩‍🏫 2026 Event Trainings

🌎 Community Days: check out upcoming events

💖 #CommunityLuv: in the spotlights

🌴🎉 MGCI Is Bringing the Community to Orlando at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference

🌉 Microsoft Build: now shipping!

👩‍💻AI Agent Con: chapters around the world

💫 What Happens Next

Women’s History Millennia in Action: Community, Courage, and Collective Power 💜✨

Our recent MGCI General Session was one of those moments that reminds you exactly why community matters.

What began as a panel quickly became something bigger - a shared experience filled with stories, hard‑earned wisdom, laughter, and the kind of encouragement that stays with you. The energy was high, the chat was buzzing, and the sense of connection was unmistakable.

This wasn’t just a conversation about women in tech. It was about visibility, access, allyship, and building something better - together.

❤️Stories That Connected (and Advice That Truly Landed)

Throughout the session, our panelists spoke candidly about their journeys - the wins, the doubts, the pivots, and the moments that shaped them. A consistent theme emerged: growth doesn’t come from waiting until you feel ready.

Sravani Seethi captured this perfectly when she reminded the community that confidence isn’t something you magically wake up with one day. It’s built through action. Confidence, she shared, comes after you take the leap, after you say yes to the opportunity that stretches you.

That message resonated deeply, especially with early‑career technologists and new speakers listening in.

Community Energy You Could Feel 💬💥

If the panel was the heartbeat of the session, the chat was the pulse.

Community members joined from around the world, sharing encouragement, LinkedIn profiles, mentorship opportunities, calls for speakers, and thoughtful reflections. The conversation unfolded in real time, reinforcing what the panelists were saying and adding even more perspective.

Attendees reminded one another that you don’t need to have all the answers to add value, that imposter syndrome often means you care deeply about your work, and that sometimes the most impactful thing you can do is simply show up.

That spirit of intentional community building was echoed by Sharon Weaver, who captured the purpose behind moments like this, “Our community isn’t here just for women, it’s here to elevate women. To give them opportunities to speak, present, connect, and be visible.”

Then came a moment that seemed to stop everyone in their tracks:

“My daughter is listening along.”

That single comment captured the heart of the entire session. This work matters, not just for today’s careers, but for the next generation watching, learning, and imagining what’s possible.

🤝Allyship, Practiced Not Preached

Another strong thread throughout the discussion was allyship - what it looks like beyond buzzwords.

Chaitra Vedullapalli spoke about shifting the focus from chasing opportunities to building systems and value so strong that opportunities naturally follow. Allyship, in this context, is about creating infrastructure, access, and pathways, not just offering encouragement.

That idea showed up again and again in the chat, where attendees talked about amplifying voices, recommending people for opportunities when they aren’t in the room, and building communities that collaborate instead of compete.

As one attendee summed it up simply: everyone needs an ally.

The Advice We’re Still Carrying With Us ✨

As the session unfolded, certain ideas stayed with people long after the call ended.

Sharon Smith shared how a single conversation or connection can completely change someone’s trajectory, a reminder of the quiet but powerful impact mentorship can have.

Rachel Sullivan brought the conversation back to growth and resilience, reminding everyone that mistakes aren’t something to fear. They’re how we learn. If you never take the action, she noted, you never get the chance to grow.

And throughout it all, Femke Cornelissen reinforced something the community clearly values: you don’t have to do this alone. Growth happens faster and more meaningfully when we ask for help, learn from each other, and lift others as we move forward.

For Nihinlola Adeyemi of TechStylers, it’s a belief that guides both her leadership and her work, “Being a woman is just a definition of gender. It doesn’t define your ability to make impact. You’re at the table because you belong there.”

This moment resonated deeply, especially for those early in their careers or stepping into new spaces and a reminder that confidence and impact aren’t granted, they’re built.

🌱 More Than a Month - A Movement

We said it together, and it’s worth repeating:

This isn’t just Women’s History Month.It’s Women’s History Millennia.

The work shared in this session: mentorship programs, speaker pipelines, learning communities, and economic access initiatives doesn’t fit neatly into a single month. It’s ongoing, evolving, and powered by people who care deeply about making tech more inclusive, more human, and more connected.

Until Next Time 💜

To our panelists: thank you for your honesty, generosity, and leadership.To our community: thank you for showing up, engaging, and lifting one another up.To the next generation listening in: we see you and we’re building this future with you in mind.

We can’t wait to do this again.

Because community like this deserves to keep growing. 🚀✨

🎥Watch the conversation here: https://aka.ms/MGCI-WomenInTechandAlliesRecording

Connect with these wonderful organizations

Women in Cloud

Women in M365

Women in Power

Rockstar Women in AI and Security

TechStylers

The Mentoring Hub

The WIT Network

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (Feb/Mar)

MGCI 2026 Is in Motion 🚀

🌎MGCI Regional Leader Application Update

🎓 2026 Training: Built for Event Leaders

📅 Mark Your Calendar

🌐 CommunityDays.org Is Getting Better (Because of You)

Communitydays.org Features Recently Rolled Out

Communitydays.org Features Coming Soon

👥 We Need Volunteers for Event Review & Approvals

🎤 MGCI General Sessions: A New Energy

What’s Changing?

📅 General Sessions

🌟 Want Your Event Spotlighted?

💖 #CommunityLuv Spotlight

💜Celebrating Women's History Month

Looking to spotlight more amazing women speakers?

💡 Why This Year Matters

🎟️ Backstage Pass to CommunityDays.org

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (Jan/Feb)

MGCI Regional Leader Applications are Now Open!

#CommunityLuv on Social Media

From Community to Stage: Women in Microsoft Tech

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (April)

This isn’t just Women’s History Month.
It’s Women’s History Millennia.

To our panelists: thank you for your honesty, generosity, and leadership.
To our community: thank you for showing up, engaging, and lifting one another up.
To the next generation listening in: we see you and we’re building this future with you in mind.

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (Feb/Mar)

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (Jan/Feb)

Join our next General Session on February 17^th

Join our next Event Training on February 26^th

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter 

Next General Session – November 18^th