Microsoft Fabric & Power BI Community User Groups Program Guide

Program Overview:

Microsoft Fabric and Power BI Community User Groups are community-led groups that bring together data professionals, developers, students, and technology enthusiasts to learn, connect, and share expertise across Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, Data Factory, Real-Time Intelligence and other related topics.

User groups may be local, virtual, or hybrid and are supported by Microsoft through the Fabric Community User Groups Program. The program empowers leaders to build inclusive, sustainable communities while connecting members with Microsoft experts and the broader data platform ecosystem.

Program benefits 

As part of the Fabric Community User Groups program, groups receive support, inspiration, a deeper connection to the Fabric Community, and the following benefits: 

• A channel to communicate directly with Microsoft team members and hear updates from Microsoft 
• Networking opportunities with other leaders of the network 
• Easy access for members to find local groups 
• Easy access for members to find virtual groups
• Access to the Fabric Meetup Network (Qualified Groups)

Program communications

Group leaders and co-leaders will receive regular communications from Microsoft with news, program updates and highlights, information about upcoming events, learning opportunities, and helpful resources. Each quarter, group leaders and co-leaders are invited to participate in an online call with the Microsoft team. Invitations and agendas are sent prior to each call.

Program requirements 

To participate in the Power BI/Fabric Community, your group must meet the following criteria: 

• Have a group leader and co-leader who will represent your group to Microsoft. (Must have a minimum of 2 leaders)
• Maintain a published Code of Conduct that is easily accessible from the group's homepage. 
• Do not charge members a fee to attend group meetings, except when venue or hosting costs (e.g. food and beverages) are passed on to members. 
• Maintain a regular meeting cadence and have at least six (6) meetings per year that relate to or cover analytics & data products, features and services that fall under the Microsoft Azure Data umbrella, 
• Do not use the group to enrich or advance yourself, your business, your employer or your co-workers, or for lead generation purposes, 
• Agree to emphasize the importance of variety and balance in your speaker lineup, ensure a broad representation of ideas and experiences, avoid exclusive focus on a single company’s representatives and instead encourage the inclusion of speakers from different organizations. 
• Comply with the Power BI/Fabric Community User Group program's Code of Conduct. 

Leadership changes 

We understand operations and leadership of groups may change over time. If the group leader or co-leader is leaving the group, the Fabric Community User Groups program team should be notified via email by the group leader at: 

[email protected] to ensure group information is updated. 

Code of conduct 

People are the foundation of a community. For a community to thrive, it must encourage diversity of thought and enable the safety of its members. Microsoft is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion. All Microsoft employees enjoy a safe work environment and a culture of mutual respect and responsibility. Our team members and community partners should enjoy the same environment. The Fabric Community User Group Leaders Code of Conduct can be found at https://aka.ms/FabricUGLeaderCodeofConduct 

Conduct issues seldom arise. But when they do, they are often very public and very passionate. It is best for the community to be prepared with: 

• A clear and accessible Code of Conduct that states the norms under which projects or events operate 
• Encouraged behaviors and community guidelines 
• A list of common behaviors that are prohibited (e.g. harassment) 
• An Issue Resolution Process for addressing cases where these norms are not being maintained 
• A code of conduct should be displayed on your group landing page or website. If you don't currently have one, review the following examples: 

         Azure Data Tech Groups Code of Conduct 

         Microsoft Tech Community Code of Conduct 

Fee-free experience 

To lower the barrier to entry and ensure access is available to as many participants as possible, Fabric Community User Groups program members should not charge an admission fee for meetings. However, certain pass-through costs are allowed (i.e. venue, beverage, and other hosting fees). 

Meeting cadence 

Many groups cover a broad range of topics throughout the year. Your group should host a minimum of 6 meetups covering Microsoft Azure Data products & features each year. These include but are not limited to Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, Real-Time Intelligence, Data Factory, Data Science & Data Engineering in Fabric, Data Warehousing in Fabric, the Fabric Platform, Databases in Fabric.

Joining the program 

Admission into the Fabric Community User Groups program requires a simple application process. Groups are evaluated by the program team and reviewed on a regular basis throughout the year. To apply for the program, simply click Start a New Group. Be prepared to answer a few follow up questions about your group, your intentions or you plan to meet all of the program requirements as outlined above.  

Leaving the program 

If your group no longer wants to be part of Fabric Community User Groups, we would like to hear from you. Group leaders should contact the Fabric Community User Groups program team at [email protected]

Azure Data Tech Groups program overview

Joining the Microsoft Fabric or Azure Data User Group Meetup Network

The Microsoft Fabric and Azure Data User Group Community is a network of community-led Meetup groups supported by Microsoft. This initiative expands support for existing user groups that use Meetup to organize and host meetings.

The Meetup Network provides leaders with operational support, increased visibility, and access to program benefits designed to help communities succeed.

What is a Qualified Group?

• Have an active user group registered on the Microsoft Fabric Community Platform.
• Have a corresponding Meetup group that meets all program requirements.
• Have at least one group leader and one designated co-leader, with one primary group leader responsible for representing your group to Microsoft.
• Both user group leader(organizer) and co-leader(co-organizer) must
• Complete a detailed application.
• Have an updated & complete Microsoft Fabric Community profile, prior to completing the application form. to provide is optional, and it may help us decide if your group qualifies.
• Must sign and agree to comply with the Microsoft Fabric User Group Program Requirements https://aka.ms/FabricUGProgramRequirements  
• Must sign and agree to comply with the code of conduct  https://aka.ms/FabricUGLeaderCodeofConduct

• Must not charge other program participants any fee to attend meetings, except in cases in which the venue and/or hosting costs (e.g., food and beverages) are passed through to the participants.
• You must maintain a regular meeting cadence by having at least six (6) meetings during each 12-month period.
• Half of all meetings must relate to Microsoft Fabric Data products & services, Azure Data products & servies, diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I), or other professional development intended for data professionals.

• Must not use the group to enrich or advance yourself, your business, your employer or your co-workers, or for lead generation purposes.
• Agree to emphasize the importance of variety and balance in your speaker lineup, ensure a broad representation of ideas and experiences, avoid exclusive focus on a single company’s representatives and instead encourage the inclusion of speakers from different organizations.

• Each group must publish and maintain a code of conduct for all attendees and speakers.
• You must adhere to Microsoft’s Trademark and Brand guidelines, when using any Microsoft trademarks or referring to Microsoft’s software, products or services (see https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/intellectualproperty/trademarks/usage/general.aspx).

What are the benefits?

• Meetup fees covered by Microsoft for qualified user groups
• A channel to communicate directly with Microsoft team members and hear updates from Microsoft
• Networking opportunities with other leaders of the network
• Meetings automatically published on the Fabric Community
• Easy access for members to find local groups
• Easy access for members to find virtual groups
• Access to a Speaker bureau
• Access to premium Meetup features like a speaker section on event page, professional registration form, optional featured sponsor feature, event templates, the ability to schedule hybrid events and being included on the Microsoft Fabric User Group Network page

If you believe that your group qualifies for the Fabric Microsoft Meetup Network please email [email protected].