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ProcessesCats HackathonPhase 1

Phase 1: Onboarding & Orientation

Duration: November 1-7, 2024 (1 week)
Mode: Online and offline engagement

Overview

The first week sets the foundation for the entire hackathon journey. Participants join the program, understand expectations, and receive their first assignment: begin observing their communities.

Key Activities

1. Registration & Recruitment

Methods:

  • Social media campaigns (Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp)
  • Campus outreach through school representatives
  • Student organization partnerships
  • Word-of-mouth referrals from hub members
  • Direct engagement with potential participants

Registration continues throughout this week and into Phase 2.

2. Telegram Community

All participants are required to join the main Telegram group:

  • Announcements and updates
  • Peer support and networking
  • Resource sharing
  • Direct line to Next Trend Hub organizers

Join the community → 

3. Orientation Meeting

Date: Early in Week 1 (exact date announced via social media)
Format: Virtual session (Zoom/Google Meet)
Duration: ~2 hours

Agenda:

  1. Welcome & Introductions (20 mins)

    • Next Trend Hub team introduction
    • Program overview and timeline

  2. “Build What Matters” Philosophy (30 mins)

  3. Action-Learning Methodology (40 mins)

  4. Team Formation Process (15 mins)

    • How teams will be formed (Phase 4)
    • Maximum 5 members per team
    • Skill diversity encouraged

  5. Weekly Check-in Protocol (10 mins)

  6. Q&A Session (25 mins)

    • Open floor for questions
    • Clarifications on expectations

The First Assignment: Community Discovery

At the end of orientation, participants receive their first assignment:

Assignment Details

Task: Begin observing your community and gathering feedback on relevant local problems.

What to do:

  1. Observe your community (neighborhood, campus, workplace, local markets, etc.)
  2. Talk to people about challenges they face
  3. Take notes on patterns you notice
  4. Record initial thoughts (can be informal at this stage)
  5. Identify 2-3 potential problem areas to explore further

What NOT to do yet:

  • ❌ Don’t commit to a specific solution
  • ❌ Don’t form teams yet
  • ❌ Don’t start building anything
  • ❌ Don’t assume you know the problem without asking

Deliverable: Short summaries of findings to discuss in weekly check-ins (Phase 2)

Guidance Questions

To guide your early observations:

  • What frustrations do you hear people express regularly?
  • What inefficiencies do you notice in daily life?
  • Where do you see people struggle or waste time?
  • What needs are currently unmet in your community?
  • Who is being left behind or underserved?

View Ground Truth methodology →

Weekly Check-ins Begin

First Check-in: Wednesday, Nov 6 or Saturday, Nov 9

Format: Virtual call
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Purpose:

  • Check participant understanding
  • Answer early questions
  • Share initial observation tips
  • Build community among participants

What to bring:

  • Your questions about the program
  • Initial thoughts on community observation (if any)
  • Openness to learning

Expected Outcomes by End of Week 1

By November 7, participants should:

  • âś… Understand the “Build What Matters” philosophy
  • âś… Be familiar with the four quadrants
  • âś… Have joined the Telegram community
  • âś… Know the weekly check-in schedule
  • âś… Have started observing their communities
  • âś… Be excited and clear on next steps

Resources Provided

During orientation, participants receive:

  • Program timeline and calendar
  • Action-learning methodology guide
  • Interview question templates
  • Voice note recording guidelines
  • Weekly check-in reporting format
  • Contact information for support

View all templates →

Support Channels

Throughout Phase 1 (and the entire program):

  • Telegram group - Daily support and community
  • WhatsApp community - Join here 
  • Weekly check-ins - Structured guidance
  • Email support - For specific questions
  • Twitter/X - Updates and announcements @nextrendlabs 

Common Questions from Week 1

Q: Do I need to know blockchain/Cardano already?
A: No! You’ll learn about Cardano integration later. Focus first on understanding community problems.

Q: Can I participate if I’m not a developer?
A: Yes! Teams need diverse skills: design, research, project management, community engagement, etc.

Q: What if I don’t find a team?
A: Next Trend Hub will help with team formation in Phase 4. Focus on individual research for now.

Q: How much time per week is expected?
A: Weeks 1-5: ~5-10 hours/week for research and meetings. Weeks 6-7: Full-time during build sprint.

Q: Can I still join after Week 1?
A: Registration continues into Week 2, but you’ll need to catch up on orientation materials.

Next Phase

After completing orientation and beginning community observation, participants move into:

Phase 2: Community Problem Discovery →
Nov 8-21 | Systematic research and evidence gathering

Next Trend Hub | CATS Hackathon | Phase 1 of 8

Last updated on
Meeting MinutesPhase 2 (Nov 8-21)