How To Request Membership To The Kubeflow GitHub Org A Comprehensive Guide

Becoming a member of the Kubeflow GitHub organization is a significant step for contributors looking to deepen their involvement in the project. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to request membership to the Kubeflow GitHub org, outlining the necessary steps, guidelines, and best practices to ensure a smooth and successful application process. Whether you're a seasoned contributor or new to the Kubeflow community, understanding the membership request process is crucial for gaining the privileges and access associated with being an official member. This guide will walk you through the prerequisites, the application procedure, and what to expect after submitting your request.

Understanding Kubeflow GitHub Org Membership

Before diving into the specifics of the membership request process, it's essential to understand what it means to be a member of the Kubeflow GitHub org. Membership grants contributors certain privileges, such as the ability to directly contribute to Kubeflow repositories, participate in code reviews, and engage more actively in the community. Kubeflow GitHub org membership signifies a deeper level of commitment to the project and its goals. It's a recognition of your contributions and a gateway to further involvement in the Kubeflow ecosystem.

Prerequisites for Membership

Before you can request membership, there are a few prerequisites you should meet. These prerequisites are in place to ensure that members are active contributors who are familiar with the Kubeflow project and its contribution guidelines. Understanding Kubeflow GitHub org membership prerequisites is the first step towards a successful application. Here's what you need to consider:

1. Contributions to Kubeflow: You should have a proven track record of contributing to the Kubeflow project. This typically involves submitting pull requests (PRs) that have been merged into Kubeflow repositories. The more substantial your contributions, the stronger your case for membership. Aim for a variety of contributions, such as bug fixes, feature implementations, and documentation improvements.
2. Familiarity with Kubeflow Guidelines: It's essential to be familiar with Kubeflow's contribution guidelines, code of conduct, and overall project governance. These guidelines ensure that contributions align with the project's goals and maintain a consistent standard of quality. Before applying for membership, take the time to thoroughly review the Kubeflow documentation and understand the project's best practices.
3. Sponsorship from Existing Members: You'll need two existing members of the Kubeflow GitHub org to sponsor your membership. Sponsors vouch for your contributions and commitment to the project. They play a crucial role in the membership process, so choose sponsors who are familiar with your work and can speak to your contributions.

Guidelines for Joining the Kubeflow Community

The official Kubeflow documentation provides detailed guidelines for joining the community. These guidelines outline the expectations for members, the contribution process, and the various ways to get involved in the project. Following Kubeflow community guidelines is crucial for a successful membership application. Make sure to read the guidelines thoroughly before proceeding with your request.

The Membership Request Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand the prerequisites and guidelines, let's dive into the step-by-step process for requesting membership to the Kubeflow GitHub org. This section will walk you through each step, providing clear instructions and best practices to ensure a smooth application.

1. Gathering Your Contributions

The first step is to gather links to your contributions to the Kubeflow project. This includes pull requests (PRs) that you've submitted and had merged into Kubeflow repositories. Aim to provide 2-3 examples of your contributions, showcasing the breadth and depth of your involvement. Documenting Kubeflow contributions effectively is key to demonstrating your commitment.

Example Contributions:

• Fixing a bug in a Kubeflow component
• Implementing a new feature in a Kubeflow operator
• Improving the documentation for a Kubeflow tool

Here are some example contributions:

• https://github.com/kubeflow/model-registry/pull/1271
• https://github.com/kubeflow/model-registry/pull/1242
• https://github.com/kubeflow/model-registry/pull/977

2. Identifying Sponsors

Next, you'll need to identify two existing members of the Kubeflow GitHub org who are willing to sponsor your membership. Sponsors play a crucial role in the process, vouching for your contributions and commitment to the project. Finding Kubeflow membership sponsors is a critical step in the application process.

Choosing Sponsors:

• Select members who are familiar with your work and can speak to your contributions.
• Reach out to potential sponsors and ask if they're willing to support your application.
• Provide them with a summary of your contributions and why you're seeking membership.

In this example, the sponsors are:

• @tarilabs
• @dbasunag

3. Creating a Membership Pull Request (PR)

The core of the membership request process involves creating a pull request (PR) to the kubeflow/internal-acls repository. This repository manages the access control lists for the Kubeflow GitHub org. Submitting Kubeflow membership PR requires careful attention to detail.

3.1. Forking and Cloning the Repository

Start by forking the kubeflow/internals-acls repository to your GitHub account. This creates a copy of the repository under your control. Then, clone your forked repository to your local machine. Forking Kubeflow internals-acls repo is the first technical step in the process.

git clone git@github.com:<your_github_username>/internal-acls.git
cd internal-acls

3.2. Modifying the org.yaml File

The next step is to modify the github-orgs/kubeflow/org.yaml file. This file contains the list of Kubeflow GitHub org members and teams. You'll need to add your GitHub username to the appropriate sections. Editing Kubeflow org.yaml is a crucial step in the membership request.

Steps:

1. Open the github-orgs/kubeflow/org.yaml file in a text editor.
2. Add your GitHub username to the org.kubeflow.members list.
3. If you work for a company that is recognized by the Kubeflow project, add your username to your company's team list (check org.kubeflow.teams).

Example:

org.kubeflow.members:
  - github_username1
  - github_username2
  - your_github_username  # Add your username here
  - github_username3

org.kubeflow.teams:
  company_team_name:
    members:
      - github_username1
      - your_github_username  # Add your username here if applicable
      - github_username2

3.3. Testing Your Changes

Before submitting your PR, it's essential to test your changes to ensure they're valid and don't introduce any errors. The kubeflow/internal-acls repository includes a set of tests that you can run to verify your changes. Testing Kubeflow org.yaml changes ensures the integrity of the configuration.

cd github_orgs
pip install -r requirements.txt
pytest test_org_yaml.py

Confirm that the test run passed, and make sure to copy the test output so you can include it in your PR description on GitHub. Including Kubeflow test output in your PR provides reviewers with confidence in your changes.

3.4. Pushing Your Changes and Opening a PR

Once you've made your changes and tested them, push your changes to your forked repository on GitHub. Then, open a pull request (PR) from your forked repository to the kubeflow/internal-acls repository. Creating Kubeflow membership PR is the final step in the application process.

Steps:

1. Commit your changes with a descriptive message.
2. Push your changes to your forked repository.
3. Open a PR from your fork to the kubeflow/internal-acls repository.
4. Include the test output in your PR description.

4. Review and Approval

Your PR will be reviewed by someone from the Kubeflow team. Work with your reviewers to address any outstanding issues and ensure your PR meets the project's standards. Kubeflow PR review process is crucial for maintaining code quality and consistency.

Post-Merge Instructions: Accepting Your Invitation

After your PR is merged, there are a few additional steps to complete the membership process. Completing Kubeflow membership involves accepting the invitation and verifying your access.

Waiting for Changes to Propagate

Please wait at least 1 hour for changes to propagate after your PR is merged. This allows the system to update and reflect your membership status. Waiting for Kubeflow membership propagation is a necessary step in the process.

Accepting the GitHub Invitation

You will receive an email invite (to your GitHub associated email address) to join Kubeflow on GitHub. Follow the instructions in the email to accept your invitation. Accepting Kubeflow GitHub invite is the final step in becoming a member.

Troubleshooting: If You Don't Receive an Invite

If you haven't received an invite to join the GitHub org after an hour (or if your invite has expired), please open an issue with an owner tagged to request follow-up. Troubleshooting Kubeflow membership invite ensures that you receive the necessary access.

Conclusion

Requesting membership to the Kubeflow GitHub org is a significant step for contributors who are committed to the project. By following these steps and guidelines, you can ensure a smooth and successful application process. Remember to contribute actively, familiarize yourself with the project's guidelines, and work with your sponsors and reviewers to address any issues. Becoming a Kubeflow GitHub org member is a testament to your contributions and a gateway to further involvement in the Kubeflow community. This comprehensive guide provides all the necessary information to navigate the membership request process effectively, helping you to become a valued member of the Kubeflow organization. Whether you are contributing code, documentation, or community support, your membership will enable you to participate more fully in the project's growth and success. By adhering to the outlined steps and engaging with the Kubeflow team, you can successfully join the ranks of Kubeflow GitHub org members and contribute to the future of this important open-source project.