Call for Applicants – WMT Members (January 2024)

The WCA Marketing Team is seeking new members!

What does the WCA Marketing Team Do?

The WMT is responsible for branding and marketing of the WCA through initiatives, managing WCA relationships with media and external partners, managing and coordinating the WCA Merchandise and increasing awareness of speedcubing around the world through collaborations and advertising.

Why join the WMT?

Have you ever wondered, “‘Wow, cubing is so much fun, I wish more people knew about it”? Have you found excitement by getting friends to go to a WCA competition? Have you ever wanted competitions to have higher stakes, bigger venues, prizes, and audiences? The WCA Marketing Team has too, and we want you to help us get there! With the immense growth of the WCA, this is the perfect opportunity to make your ideas of growing cubing turn into reality!

Here are some of the projects WMT is currently working on:

  • Media Relationships:
    • WMT manages relationships with traditional media and speedcubing media to promote initiatives, information about speedcubing, and sparking collaborations to grow our audience
  • Merchandising:
    • WMT owns the WCA Merchandising ecosystem, including designing, advertising and coordinating WCA merchandise across the world
  • Marketing Initiatives:
    • WMT works on new marketing initiatives that grow and promote our organization, such as the WCA Newcomer Month

The application is open to everyone. Potential applicants do not have to hold a current position to be considered.

Minimum Requirements for Applicants

  • Interest in marketing the WCA and our brand
  • Proficiency in English
  • Able to commit at least 4 hours per week including attending monthly meetings
  • Creative mind and good communication skills

Specific Skills we are looking for (any of these is a huge plus):

  • Experience in writing Press Releases and working with traditional press outlets
  • Experience with design tools like Adobe & Canva
  • Experience with Shopify
  • Experience in merchandising, email marketing or digital advertising
  • Based in Europe/Africa/Oceania/South America (WMT lacks members from these regions)

Applicants should submit a PDF application including a brief personal introduction, their involvement with the WCA, their motivation for applying to the WMT, and any relevant experience or skills.

Applications should be sent to sgrover@worldcubeassociation.org from now until February 4th, 2024, 23:59 UTC to be considered.

Source:: worldcubeassociation

Call for Applicants – WRC Members (January 2024)

The WCA Regulations Committee (WRC) is looking for new members. Interested community members of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The applications are open to everyone; it’s not a requirement to hold a current position in the WCA to be considered.

What does the WRC do?

  • Update and improve the WCA Regulations. (See our public GitHub repository and the WCA Forum page.)
  • Read competition reports and respond to incidents.
  • Engage with the WCA community for feedback about the Regulations.
  • Address any issues and inquiries related to the Regulations.

The official rights and duties of the WRC are documented in WCA Motion 10.2021.9.

The qualities and requirements expected of candidates are:

  • Regularly check and respond to emails (5-10 emails/day).
  • Objectively apply the letter and spirit of the WCA Regulations.
  • Compassionately and constructively discuss how to address incidents.
  • Time commitment of 5-10 hours per week.

The following are not required, but it would be useful for new WRC members to have additional experience with any of the following:

  • Writing fluent, clear English while communicating across language differences.
  • Cubing community discussions, online or offline.
  • The history of the WCA Regulations.
  • Using GitHub and/or writing code (especially Python, JavaScript, Java, Ruby on Rails).
  • Project management, leadership, addressing organizational incentives, advocacy, and/or legal work.

The priority application period is open for candidates to submit their candidacy document from now until February 4th, 2024, 23:59 UTC privately to Antonio Kam (akam@worldcubeassociation.org). Candidacy documents must be in PDF format, and must include:

  • A brief personal introduction.
  • A summary of experiences/accomplishments to demonstrate that you can meet the requirements.
  • What motivates you to join the WRC?
  • Do you have any topics/issues that you are passionate about helping the WRC improve?
  • Optionally, any additional experience that is relevant to WRC work.

You can expect a reply to confirm whether your application is complete, and may receive a request for an interview with the WRC.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate in reaching out to Antonio Kam (akam@worldcubeassociation.org).

Thank you for your interest in assisting the WRC and the WCA!

Source:: worldcubeassociation

WRT Leader Announcement (January 2024)

We are happy to announce that we have a new Committee Leader. Callum Goodyear will become the new Leader of the WCA Results Team (WRT). Callum was already working as a senior member of the WRT.

Callum was selected by the WCA Board and approved in a vote among the current Committee Leaders and Senior Delegates, following Section 4 of our Motion about WCA Committees and Teams.

We would like to thank Sébastien Auroux for the significant work he has done in leading the WRT for the past 9 years. We wish Callum all the best as he takes on his new responsibilities.

Callum was the only applicant for the role and his successful candidacy document can be seen here.

Source:: worldcubeassociation

Call for Applicants – WCT Members (January 2024)

The WCA Communication Team (WCT) is seeking members to help with managing and creating WCA social media posts or graphic design for social media posts and other projects!

Applications are open to everyone and community members not currently holding a WCA position can apply.

What does the WCT do?

  • Answers daily enquiries to the WCA through emails and the contact page on the WCA website.
  • Manages official WCA social media platforms through frequent and engaging posts
  • Works with other WCA leaders to improve the WCA website and communications to the community

The official rights and duties of the WCT are documented in Motion 10.2021.1 – Communication Team.

Workflow Outline

  • We try to reply to all emails and DMs within a 24 hour period and having more members gives the WCT more opportunities to be reactive.
  • Social media posts are planned at least 2 days in advance and are posted when members are available.
  • Internal emails regarding other WCT projects are answered within 48 hours and other work may come from those projects that take various amounts of time.
  • Time commitment per week is between 2-5 hours.

Characteristics we are looking for

  • Social media knowledge: You should be familiar with many social media platforms and their basic functions. While you may not have used them personally, you will have to post to them as the WCA and should know what type of content goes on each.
  • Fluent English: Our posts on most social media platforms are in English and we answer most emails in English. We do, however, receive emails in many different languages and having people responding in the sender’s native language is always appreciated. For this, we do welcome those that are fluent in other languages alongside English.
  • Communication skills: You should be able to write a professional, concise email to answer competitor questions and to convey a thorough knowledge of the WCA resources for competitors. You will be responsible for writing social media posts that are appropriate and convey the mission of the WCA.
  • Patience: Always maintaining professionalism when answering the same question many times is hard, but necessary for our day-to-day communications. You should keep friendly communications within our email and social media interactions.

If you are applying as a Graphics Designer, then you should have experience working with Adobe Photoshop or any similar programs.

The application document must be in PDF format, and should include the following:

  • A brief personal introduction
  • Your involvement with the WCA
  • Your motivation for applying to the WCT
  • Your skills that are relevant to the WCT

Please send the application in PDF format to (sbehzaad@worldcubeassociation.org) from now until Wednesday, January 25th, 2024, 23:59 UTC to be considered.

Applicants can expect a reply to confirm the receipt of the application, and may later receive a request to be interviewed. If you have any questions related to the application process, then do not hesitate to reach out to Zain Ali (sbehzaad@worldcubeassociation.org)

Thank you for your interest in assisting the WCT and the WCA!

Source:: worldcubeassociation

World Cube Association Hosts „Newcomer Month,“ Inviting Everyone to Join the Thrilling World of Competitive Speedcubing

The World Cube Association (WCA), the official governing body for competitive speedcubing, is gearing up for an exciting initiative: WCA Newcomer Month – a month-long celebration in March 2024 designed to welcome everyone, from curious beginners to seasoned enthusiasts, into the exhilarating world of competitive speedcubing.

Why Participate?

  • Experience the thrill of competition: Whether you’re lightning-fast or a slow-and-steady solver, there’s a place for everyone.
  • Join a vibrant community: Immerse yourself in a welcoming and supportive environment where experienced cubers are eager to share their knowledge and passion.
  • Challenge yourself and unlock your potential: Test your skills, improve your times, and discover the satisfaction of conquering the cube under pressure.

WCA Newcomer Month offers something for everyone:

  • First-timers: Compete with confidence, knowing there are many others taking their first steps.
  • Seasoned enthusiasts: Rekindle your passion, connect with fellow cubers, and mentor newcomers.
  • Parents and educators: Introduce the next generation to a stimulating and rewarding activity that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and dexterity.

„WCA Newcomer Month is about breaking down barriers and making competitive speedcubing accessible to everyone,“ says Ethan Pride, WCA Executive Director. „We believe Newcomer Month will create a bridge between newcomers and experienced cubers, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie within the WCA.“

Ready to join the celebration?

  • Mark your calendars for March 2024! Competition details will be announced in January.
  • Visit the WCA website or wca.link/newcomer to find competitions near you and register for the ultimate cubing challenge.
  • Follow #WCANewcomerMonth on social media for updates, inspiring stories, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of competitive speedcubing.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the magic of the cube, ignite your competitive spirit, and become part of a global community.

Founded in 2004, the World Cube Association (WCA) is the official governing body for competitive speedcubing. It sets standardized rules, tracks official records, and fuels a thriving community across 143 countries. In its 20 year history, there have been over 7,000 sanctioned competitions and 150,000 unique participants at WCA competitions. The WCA is a champion for inclusivity and celebrates the passion for solving the iconic 3x3x3 Cube and other twisty puzzles in record-breaking time. The current World Record for the 3x3x3 now stands at 3.13 seconds set in 2023 by the legendary American speedcuber, Max Park.

Source:: worldcubeassociation