adding the new contributor meeting

Author: noatamir

doc/devel/contributing.rst

@@ -12,19 +12,44 @@ is expected to abide by our
 The project is hosted on
 https://github.com/matplotlib/matplotlib
 
+Do I really have something to contribute to Matplotlib?
+-------------------------------------------------------
+1,000% yes. There are so many ways to contribute to our community.
+
+When in doubt, we recommend going together! Get connected with our community of active
+contributors, many of whom felt just like you when they started out and are happy to welcome
+you and support you as you get to know how we work, and where things are. Take a look at the
+next section to learn more.
+
+
+Get Connected
+=============
+
 Contributor incubator
-=====================
-
-If you are interested in becoming a regular contributor to Matplotlib, but
-don't know where to start or feel insecure about it, you can join our non-public
-communication channel for new contributors. To do so, please go to `gitter
-<https://gitter.im/matplotlib/matplotlib>`_ and ask to be added to '#incubator'.
-This is a private gitter room moderated by core Matplotlib developers where you can
-get guidance and support for your first few PRs.  This is a place you can ask questions
+---------------------
+The incubator is our non-public communication channel for new contributors. It is
+a private gitter room moderated by core Matplotlib developers where you can
+get guidance and support for your first few PRs. It's a place you can ask questions
 about anything: how to use git, github, how our PR review process works, technical questions
 about the code, what makes for good documentation or a blog post, how to get involved involved
 in community work, or get "pre-review" on your PR.
 
+To join, please go to our public `gitter <https://gitter.im/matplotlib/matplotlib>`_ community
+channel, and ask to be added to '#incubator'. One of our core developers will see your message
+and will add you.
+
+New Contributors meeting
+------------------------
+Once a month, we host a meeting to discuss topics that interest new contributors. Anyone can attend,
+present, or sit in and listen to the call. Among our attendees are fellow new contributors, as well
+as maintainers, and veteran contributors, who are keen to support onboarding of new folks and share
+their experience. You can find our community calendar link at the `Scientific Python website
+<https://scientific-python.org/calendars/>`_, and you can browse previous meeting notes on `github
+<https://github.com/matplotlib/ProjectManagement/tree/master/new_contributor_meeting>`_. We recommend
+joining the meeting to clarify any doubts, or lingering questions you might have, and to get to know a few
+of the people behind the GitHub handles 😉. You can reach out to @noatamir on `gitter
+<https://gitter.im/matplotlib/matplotlib>`_. For any clarifications or suggestions. We <3 feedback!
+
 
 .. _new_contributors: