Dojo Groups

Summary
This page contains Information on Regionalisation / Dojo Groups. This is when a number of different Dojos come together to form a 'Group' of Dojos. These groups represent a region, defined on a case by case basis. Many represent entire countries such as CoderDojo Belgium, while others represent a region within a country such as CoderDojo Western Australia. Groups can take an informal or formal structure. Informal varies on the region but is normally an Association of members. While formal means a structured entity that sets up as a charity under the relevant legislation in their region.

Overview of Regional Groups & CoderDojo Regionalisation
National or regional led growth of CoderDojo in a country is typically seen when a group form a regional body or group to support and open new and existing Dojos operating in their region or country. This body or group can either be either formal i.e registered entity or charity, or informal i.e an assocaition of members. It is a core priority of the CoderDojo Foundations to support regional groups, ensuring all bodies have the tools and knowledge to set up according to the CoderDojo ethos.

A number of documents are available on this page for groups considering setting up, or for community members looking to find out more about the concept of Dojo Groups / Regionalisaiton.


 * Comparison of different types of Dojo Groups
 * Criteria for the Naming of a Regional Body
 * Dojo Groups Commitments
 * Regional Body License
 * MOU for Informal Regional Bodies
 * Supporting Documentation
 * Archived Previous Version of Regional License

Regional Bodies (Informal & Formal) A RegionalBody is where a group of champions/mentors supported by the majority of dojos within a region form a structure and body that represents and supports those dojos ofthat region. The formation of a body or entity helps give dojos that were once independent greater flexibility and allows them to provide more support for existing and new Dojos in their area. Many regional bodies share resources and to make their Dojos better for the young people who attend them or to increase the reach of their Dojos by promoting them at local events. They can also be established to encourage and to facilitate other Dojos starting in nearby locations. Regional and national bodies can also be an effective way to reduce the administrative overhead of the Dojos involved in the group, in a particular area, especially when there are tasks that need to be duplicated, e.g.; sourcing mentors, fundraising or performing background checks on mentors. There are already several informal regional bodies around the world and formal bodies. The difference between a formal body is that a formal body has achieved a non-profit status within its region and successfully signed the CoderDojo regional license with the CoderDojo Foundation. informal groups are set up by individuals who wish to actively encourage growth of new Dojos in their regions or to share administrative tasks across their regions, examples include:

Informal Regional Bodies
 * CoderDojo Romania
 * CoderDojo Italia
 * CoderDojo Spain

Formal Regional Bodies:
 * CoderDojo Western Australia
 * CoderDojo Netherlands
 * CoderDojo Indiana
 * CoderDojo WestSound
 * CoderDojo Turkey

Scenarios for establishing a regional body There are a number of different scenarios that may result in a regional body being established, these include but are not limited to:

 Scenarios for ​NOT​ establishing a regional body There are a number of different scenarios that may result in why a regional body should not be established, these include but are not limited to: their are no other Dojos and hence no community support or buy in, established, possible to incorporate a larger region or, regional body to support this.
 * A Champion(s) seeks to establish a body in a region where there are a few Dojos (e.g 10 Dojos),
 * A Champion(s) seeks to establish a body in a region where there are many Dojos (e.g 20+ Dojos),
 * Government organisation wishes to drive the growth of CoderDojo within a region,
 * Charitable organisation wishes to support the growth of CoderDojo within a region or a
 * Corporation wishes to fund and drive the growth of CoderDojo in a region.
 * A Dojo or group do not have regional Dojo support as per the regional survey conducted,
 * A Dojo or group do not wish or intend to use the body to support or grow CoderDojo in their area,
 * An individual Dojo seeks to establish a body in a region where there is no existing community ie
 * An individual Dojo seeks to establish a body in a region where a Dojo has only recently been
 * A Dojo or group seeks to establish a body in a region that encompasses a small region when it is
 * A Dojo or group seeks to establish a body in a region to be exclusive to other Dojos within a region.
 * A corporate seeks to become an exclusive partner ofCoderDojo in a region and wishes to set up a

Naming of a body A central aspect to establishing a regional body, is ensuring that the chosen (geographical) name is representative ofthe active Dojos in that area, e.g If oneChampion chooses to establishCoderDojo Ireland without acknowledgment and reasonable supportfrom most ofthe other 160Champions in the region,the body is not deemed to be legitimately representative, and therefore cannot use the term CoderDojo Ireland.

To proceed with establishing a regional body for a jurisdiction, the below steps must be followed body, ○ Invite local Champions to be involved in the setup of the organisation including the development of its aims, objectives and values, ○ Clearly outline the reasons for wishing to set up a regional body, ○ Clearly outline the timeframe to respond (minimum of 1 month, ○ Hold a group virtual call / meeting (a member of the Foundation team can join via conferencing facilities) and ○ Send at least one follow up email during the given timeframe. from the total number of Dojos who respond within the jurisdiction. Note non-responding Dojos are counted as a void vote; ○ If over 70% of Dojos in a region do not respond the individual seeking to establish the body should contact the Foundation for next steps, ○ Example A: 100 Dojos in a region; 30 respond to support a body, 20 repond not to support, 50 are unresponsive = regional body can proceed or ○ Example B: 100 Dojos in a region, 15 respond to support, 10 respond not to support, 75 are unresponsive = contact Foundation.
 * Notify other Dojos and Champions within the remit of the jurisdiction you seek to establish the
 * In order to proceed with representing the jurisdiction, a regional body must secure 50% support

 The role of a Regional Body: Although regional groups may be established for a number of reasons, all should be set up for the same purpose; to provide a geographical infrastructure to support and promote the global aims and operations of CoderDojo in a specific region. This could include supporting growth i.e opening new dojos, recruiting mentors, sustaining existing Dojos or providing a relevant financial and legal frameworks for local and regional sponsorship etc.

Core activities of Regional bodies can include: venues, mentors etc. resources etc and / or networks. 2.3 Regional Body Commitments All regional bodies regardless of their structure /formal or informal should use the below best practices as the basis for their memorandum and articles of association, or for their incorporation documents: best-practices are followed; compliance with relevant statutory requirements; the work of The CoderDojo Foundation; Dojos; or ability;
 * Facilitating the expansion of the CoderDojo movement within the relevant region(s), i.e sourcing
 * Support groups of Dojos with regional promotions, services and resources,
 * Provide relevant financial and legal frameworks for Dojos in a region,
 * Represent CoderDojo on a regional or national level,
 * Create region specific resources for Dojos eg Child Protection Policies, training, translation of
 * Provide training and social events to build capability, maintainCoderDojo ethos and to strengthen
 * to inspire and support young people to learn how to create technology;
 * to always uphold the best interests of the young people attending Dojos and ensuring
 * to operate within the highest possible standards of child protection within our jurisdiction and in
 * to not charge children attending nor their parents;
 * to encourage parent participation within Dojos;
 * to share knowledge for free (libre and open);
 * to share knowledge within and across Dojos;
 * to take care and uphold the good name and reputation of the global CoderDojo community and
 * to encourage collaboration, peer to peer mentoring and project work between attendees and
 * to welcome volunteers and children regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, creed, religion
 * to act in the best interests of the global CoderDojo community;
 * to facilitate the community and to share its knowledge;
 * to share its resources for free; and
 * to encourage active involvement across the movement

Considerations when starting a regional body. The decision to start a regional body should not be taken lightly. Establishing a body specifically a formal group will have legislative and regulatory requirements depending on your jurisdiction. Many regional groups have faced challenges securing pro bono legal support to assist with incorporation among other challenges. - What other considerations??? - Funding - Personal liability - etc

Regional Body FAQ Q: Can there be regional bodies if a National body exists in the same geography? A: Yes, following guidelines as outlined above. Q: Do all new Dojos have to operate under the regional/national banner? A: No. Dojos can choose to operate independently of regional and national bodies in their locations. However all Dojos should connect with the regional body to support and facilitate knowledge sharing. This introduction can be facilitated by the CoderDojo Foundation or directly between the Dojos and regional group.

CoderDojo Regional License
http://kata.coderdojo.com/images/0/0a/RegionalLicenseDecember2016.pdf

CoderDojo Regionalisation MOU
The below documents outlines an MOU which is for regional groups with informal structure types.

MOUCDFInformalRegionalBodies.pdf

CoderDojo Regionalisation Letter of Intent
LetterofIntent-Regionalisation.pdf

CoderDojo Regionalisation Supporting Document
CoderDojo Regionalisation Supporting Document

Dojo Group Guidance
Dojo Group Guidance Document

Dojo Group Case Studies
CoderDojo Italia

CoderDojo Italia is an informal group of Dojos that support each other by sharing their experience of organising and running their individual Dojos via Mentor meet ups and online communications.

CoderDojo Romania

CoderDojo Romania & Moldova is informal regional a group of Dojos that aim to catalyze the initiation of other local Dojos across Romania & Republic of Moldova by helping each other find potential local Champions, Mentors and Organisers. Once found, we continue to support these Champions, Mentors and Organisers in starting a new Dojo and then continue with supporting them via promotion, advice, events and resources.

CoderDojo Western Australia

CoderDojo WA was formed by the Fogarty Foundation (charity) in 2013. Their principal partner is Scitech, which is the major Science Discovery Centre for children in Western Australia. Learn more about Scitech here

Scotland'''

CoderDojo Scotland is an informal regional group starting more Dojos across the country monthly. CoderDojo Scotland was initially formed after mailing CoderDojo co­-founder, James Whelton, about starting the first Dojo in Scotland.

CoderDojo Belgium

"Coderdojo Belgium" is set up as a non-profit which carries the CoderDojo brand in Belgium.

CoderDojo Poland

CoderDojo Poland is a registered non-profit organisation of Dojos. CoderDojo Poland formed when there was only one Dojo in Poland (Zambrów).

Archived Previous Regional License
The following License is the previous original version of the licence that has been signed and agreed with a number established regional bodies.