Core Team Selection

How to build your core team?

This document serves as a step-by-step guide for Campus Leads to build a strong, diverse, and mission-aligned core team for their TinkerHub campus chapter. It includes multiple strategies tailored for both existing and new communities and also covers the First-Year Coordinator onboarding.

Please Note: The following notes are specific for engineering and polytechnic campuses. We will add a section exclusively for arts and science campuses.

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Core Team Roles (as defined by TinkerHub)

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When to Begin

• Ideally, within the first month, or deadline set by TinkerHub Foundation

• Plan completion: within 2–3 weeks after open call.

One Major Note

Before every nomination and voting, it is important that the campus lead presents the roles and responsibilities, mission and vision of each role in core team, so that either the voting community or selection committee gets a clear picture, and take an unbiased right decision.

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Two Scenarios

1. New/Inactive Community

If you're starting from scratch or restarting an inactive chapter.

3-Stage Selection Process

1. Application Form (Google Form)

• Collect basic info + motivation.

• Ask for specific inputs:

  • Past involvement in tech/leadership/volunteering

  • Interest in particular roles (Learning, Outreach, WIT, First Year)

  • Availability for 6–10 months

2. Skill-Based Task Round

• Learning Coordinator: Propose a sample Study Jam plan (topic, audience, timeline).

• Outreach Lead: Design a poster or social media campaign idea.

• WIT Fellow: Share ideas to promote inclusivity.

• First Year Coordinator: Suggest how they’d onboard 50+ new students in 30 days.

3. Interview

• Panel interview with a faculty mentor, alumni of campus or senior tech club member (if any).

• Focus on:

  • Team spirit

  • Problem-solving

  • Communication

  • Passion for community work

Bonus Tip: Invite external reviewers like Council or leads from other campus community or alumni.

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2. Active Community

If your campus already has an active TinkerHub presence.

Community Nomination & Interview

1. Open peer nominations with short pitches.

2. Community can vote for the candidates based on their pitch.

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Selecting the First Year Coordinator (Special Case)

Note: First-year students usually join later, so this role is selected separately 2–3 months into the academic year.

Suggested Process:

1. Host a Beginner-Friendly Program

   • Example: Intro to TinkerHub, Tech 101, Icebreaker Jam.

2. Observe Participants

   • Look for curiosity, consistency, and engagement.

3. Shortlist and Talk

   • Have an informal chat with potential candidates.

4. Trial Task

   • Let them co-lead a follow-up activity (e.g., onboarding batchmates).

5. Final Onboarding

   • Add to core team officially after trial phase.

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Best Practices for Core Team Formation

• Diversity Matters: Actively look for gender, stream, and year diversity.

• Use Feedback: Ask current/ex team or foundation mentors for input.

• Document Everything: Save forms, selections, and notes for transparency and continuity.