Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (Jan/Feb)
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!
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 12thNewsletter - Microsoft Global Community Initiative - November 2025
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
