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How to register my PCD node?

See Register your PCD node.

Why does my PCD need approval?

We review submissions to help avoid duplicate events in the same city or area, and to make sure organizers understand the values and responsibilities involved in hosting a PCD. This is a manual process, so please allow some time for review. Most submissions are approved within one week. If you haven’t heard back after two weeks, feel free to contact us at day@processing.org.

What is the submission deadline?

We encourage you to submit your PCD for approval by the end of June. You can still register later, though approval may take longer then and we cannot guarantee the same level of support or promotion for later submissions.

How do I find a team?

Start with people you already know. Friends, colleagues, collaborators. You can also connect with people in your local scene by joining meetups and sharing your event idea there. Don’t forget to post on the forum and add your city on the map. This helps others find you and get involved.

Make it easy to help by clearly describing the roles people can take on, and offer different levels of involvement so they can choose what fits their capacity. This can range from small contributions like welcoming guests at the door for an hour, taking photos during the day, or helping with setting up the space, to more involved roles like running a workshop or co-organizing the event with you. The more specific you are about what needs to be done and how much time it takes, the easier it is for people to step in.

When should my PCD take place?

We strongly recommend choosing a date in October, as it gives everyone enough time to prepare and will make it easier for all of us to coordinate communication, and celebrate Processing’s 25th anniversary together as a shared global moment. That said, you are free to pick any date and time that works best for your local community, just note that we may have more limited capacity to support promotion outside of that window.

Where should I host a PCD?

This depends on your local context and the spaces you have access to. We generally recommend partnering with public or community-oriented venues with stable Wi-Fi, such as libraries, schools, community centers, art or cultural venues, hackerspaces, cafes, tea houses, or bars.

Can I run my PCD close to another node?

If several groups are planning a PCD in the same city, we encourage you to team up. Working together often helps bring the local community together and makes the event easier to organize.

That said, there are valid reasons to run a separate event. The existing event might already be at capacity, it might target a different audience, or you may want to focus on a more specific format or group, or a particular community.

If collaboration is not an option, it is possible to have multiple public events in the same city. No one “owns” PCD in a given location. If you do organize separate events in close proximity, please use more specific naming to avoid confusion. For example, instead of “PCD @ NYC”, use names like “PCD @ Brooklyn” or “PCD @ Queens”.

Can I host a private PCD?

No. Processing Community Day is intended to be open and accessible to the public. Private events limited to a closed group (for example just friends, family, or internal teams) are generally not accepted. If there is already a PCD near you, we encourage you to join that event together as a group. If there isn’t one, you can organize a small public event instead. It can be simple, even just a workshop or meetup, as long as people outside your immediate circle can join.

Can I run a PCD at my company?

Yes, you can as long as the event is open to the public.

If you organize it through your workplace, please make sure it is not limited to employees. You can open it to the local community, friends, or other participants so that it stays accessible. The event should be listed on the PCD website and attendance should be open.

If there is already a PCD nearby, consider joining or supporting that event instead. Participation (and possibly sponsorship!) from local companies can be very helpful to community events.

How to fund my PCD?

Though the Processing Foundation is not currently able to provide financial assistance for local events, many PCDs run with little or no budget, and we encourage you to plan something that works with the resources you already have.

Look for free or low-cost venues (such as community centers, schools, libraries, or cafes), and consider asking local businesses or institutions to sponsor food, drinks, or materials. In return, you can offer visibility, such as adding their logo to your event page and posters, mentioning them in your opening remarks, including them in social media posts, or giving them a small table or space during the event. You can also ask participants to bring their own laptops, hardware, or snacks.

You can also set an entry fee (see “ticketing” section below) or suggest a voluntary contribution when people register or arrive.

Be transparent about how funds are used. This helps build trust with both participants and partners.

Who handles ticketing?

We do not manage or distribute tickets on behalf of local node events. As an organizer, you will determine whether ticketing is a preferable option for your event. We encourage all organizers who are planning to charge a fee for the event to provide affordable options for accessibility and inclusivity.

Will the Processing Foundation help promote my PCD?

We will promote your event through our social media, and on the interactive map. Please tag Processing Foundation when posting on social media so that we can help promote your PCD.

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/processingorg/
• Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@processingOrg

When mentioning PCD or the Processing Foundation, please include the following wording:

• Processing Community Day is a global initiative of the Processing Foundation.
• PCD @ {{Your City Name}} is organized independently by {{organizer(s) / organization}} and is not affiliated with the Processing Foundation.

Can alcohol be served at PCD?

PCD is a social event, and in some cases drinks may be shared during breaks or meals. If alcohol is present, we encourage everyone to consume it responsibly. Please note that some venues may not allow alcohol at all. If you are driving, avoid drinking or keep your consumption very limited, and within the limits imposed by local laws.

How to promote my PCD?

TBD

What if I have more questions?

(forum thread or email)

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