gsoc proposal feedback - add more functionalities to sponsorship portal

[lidokogi]

Hi @Mariatta, @cmaureir ! Would love to get your feedback on my draft proposal so I can send it in finally through google's portal.

Sub-org name: PyLadiesCon — Add more functionalities to the Sponsorship Portal

About Me
Name: Lucille Idokogi
University: Western University, Canada
Program: BSc in Computer Science & Data Science (Double Major)
Expected Graduation: 2027
GitHub: @lidokogi
Email: [email protected]
Time zone: EST (UTC -5)
Resume: Resume

Link to a Code Contribution
Pull Request #66: #66 for Issue #10
Pull Request #75: #75 for Issue #11
Pull Request #68: #68 for Issue #67(Raised by me).
These PRs demonstrate my extensive contribution to building the sponsorship functionality from the ground up. I’ve implemented the model, views, forms, admin integration, templates, and added unit tests.

Project Title: PyLadiesCon — Add more functionalities to the Sponsorship Portal

Project Abstract
This project will add robust backend and frontend functionality to the PyLadiesCon Sponsorship Portal. It will streamline the workflow for the sponsorship team by enabling them to review and manage sponsorship applications, track payment and contract status, and allow the design team to upload promotional assets. These features are essential for sustaining PyLadiesCon and increasing sponsor engagement and transparency.

Why PyLadies
As an international student passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), PyLadies’ mission deeply resonates with my values. The organization’s focus on empowering women in Python and creating space for underrepresented communities in tech aligns with my personal and professional aspirations. I’ve long admired PyLadies’ commitment to building inclusive communities and I want to contribute to something that reflects the values I care most about. Being a part of PyLadiesCon allows me to use my technical skills in a meaningful way to help amplify their mission.

Why Me
I believe I've been one of the most active contributors to the PyLadiesCon portal- having made substantial contributions, particularly to the sponsorship section. I’ve spent 30+ hours working on multiple pull requests that built the Sponsorship Tier and Profile models, forms, and views from scratch, while also adding test coverage. This hands-on experience has made me deeply familiar with the codebase, development flow, and community expectations. Because PyLadies' mission aligns so closely with my passion for inclusive tech, I’m highly motivated to deliver a polished, impactful solution. I am only applying to PyLadies for GSoC because I believe in their mission and want to devote my full focus to helping them succeed.

Detailed Description
This project will build upon the existing Sponsorship Portal I’ve implemented (Following the review of the existing PR’s). The following key features will be developed:

Admin Sponsorship Review Workflow

Add views/forms for admins to approve, reject, or request updates to applications

Update status dynamically and restrict editing after submission (unless reopened)

Email Notifications

Notify sponsors when their application status is updated (approved/rejected/pending)

Notify organizers when a new application is submitted

Design Team Asset Upload Portal

Allow uploading of logos, social banners, etc.

File validation and media storage

Sponsorship Dashboard

Show sponsorship progress: contract sent, invoice sent, paid, tier level, etc.

Filter and search options for easier tracking

Tests and Documentation

Add unit/integration tests for all new features

Update the documentation for maintainability

Timeline
Community Bonding (May 20 - June 17)
Bond with other contributors and get to know mentors
Finalize design expectations with mentors
Review Django best practices and related PRs
Draft models and database structure for tracking contracts/payments

Week 1 (June 17 - June 23)
Implement sponsor status admin workflow
Add status filtering and update options

Week 2 (June 24 - June 30)
Build and test email notifications for sponsors and admins

Week 3 (July 1 - July 7)
Create file upload portal for design team
Add image validations

Week 4 (July 8 - July 14)
Build sponsorship dashboard views for the organizing team

Week 5 (July 15 - July 21)
Add dashboard filters (status, tiers, payment tracking)

Week 6 (July 22 - July 28) — Midterm Evaluation
Complete and test all core features built so far
Submit midterm evaluation deliverables and receive feedback

Week 7 (July 29 - Aug 4)
Fix bugs and refine user experience
Write initial documentation for new features

Week 8 (Aug 5 - Aug 11)
Add unit and integration tests across features
Validate edge cases

Week 9 (Aug 12 - Aug 18)
Finalize media handling for logos/assets
Confirm data integrity and upload safety

Week 10 (Aug 19 - Aug 25)
Polish UI for sponsorship portal admin pages
Address mentor feedback

Week 11 (Aug 26 - Sept 1)
Final code freeze
Final test coverage
Finalize docs

Week 12 (Sept 2 - Sept 9) — Final Submission
Submit project
Submit final report and demo, if requested. Ensure all PRs are merged or in review-ready state.

Other Commitments
I do not have any job or academic commitments over the summer and have intentionally set aside time to work on this project full-time. While I do have extracurricular activities and personal hobbies, I am confident in my ability to manage my time effectively and prioritize my contributions to this project throughout the GSoC period.

Additionally, I’m open and willing to contribute to other areas of the PyLadiesCon project if needed, especially where my skills can be helpful or if priorities shift during the program. I’m also looking to volunteer for the PyLadiesCon conference itself and am currently trying to join the PyLadies New York chapter to get more involved in the community.

I’m also happy to assist new contributors during the GSoC period, if the community believes my experience can help others get onboarded quickly. (I’ve already added comments on existing PR’s made to help fix small bugs, making the review process easier).
Thank you for considering my proposal. I’m excited about the opportunity to grow as a developer and make meaningful contributions to PyLadiesCon!