ACM and SocialCoder

A core component of ACM’s mission for computing is to use our community’s knowledge and skills to advance the profession and make a positive impact in the world. An organization built around volunteer participation, ACM strongly encourages and supports volunteer contributions beyond the association itself. Quoting the Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice:

Section 1.08: “Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest. In particular, software engineers shall, as appropriate…Be encouraged to volunteer professional skills to good causes and contribute to public education concerning the discipline.”

Consistent with this mission, ACM is proud to partner with SocialCoder, which provides volunteer software development project support to organizations who could not otherwise afford it.

SocialCoder connects volunteer programmers/software developers with registered charities and helps match them to suitable projects based on their skills, experience, and the causes they care about.

Whether you are a professional or student member of ACM, and regardless of your level of experience, please consider volunteering for some of these reasons:

• Gain real world experience to add to your resume/C.V.
• Develop skills such as project management, leadership, communication, time-management, planning
• Mentoring from a SocialCoder mentor
• Enhance your GitHub profile by adding projects to which you have contributed
• Potential for recommendations/referrals from the charity/organization you’re supporting
• Potential networking opportunities
• Personal fulfillment

Note: Volunteers of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome. Project Coordination experience is particularly helpful.

We encourage ACM members to get involved directly through SocialCoder. If you’re a current (or past) ACM member and would like to volunteer, send a very brief email to Lisa Kline, Education and Professional Development Assistant, at [email protected] with your name, ACM membership status, and membership number (if you know it), so we can add you to our list of SocialCoder volunteers.

If you have specific questions about SocialCoder (opportunities, process, policies, etc.), contact Ed Guiness, Founder and Coordinator of SocialCoder, at [email protected].

Have you volunteered with SocialCoder? We want to hear your story. Contact Lisa Kline, Education and Professional Development Assistant, at [email protected]