Angela Puggioni is DPC's Community Engagement Manager
December has a way of arriving with a quiet sparkle, inviting reflection, small celebrations, and the chance to slow down as the year wraps up. This year, we’re marking the month with the DPC Festive Knowledge Wrap: a four-week series where we share one small festive “gift” each week, highlighting the parts of the DPC community that make the Coalition what it is. Because the DPC is, above all, a community, this first December Gift invites you to unwrap the places where our members meet and connect throughout the year - and we would be delighted to welcome you along in 2026!
#DPConnect: Monthly global drop-in sessions
#DPConnect is a friendly 30-minute meetup held each month in three regions. There is no agenda and no pressure - just a space to talk about what you are working on, hear what others are doing, ask a question, or simply listen in. Everyone is welcome, whether you’re just starting out in digital preservation or have years of experience behind you. Join us for one of the December sessions on the 4th, 11th or 19th.
#DPClinic: Practical, theme-driven knowledge sessions
#DPClinic sessions are short, focused gatherings where the community brings real-world questions and practical experience to share. They are informal, lively and often reassuring: a reminder that many of us face similar challenges and that there is always someone willing to help think things through.
Looking back at 2025, one session that stood out was the February #DPClinic on a Digital Preservation Framework for Risk Assessment and Preservation Planning. It offered clear, thoughtful guidance and a lot of practical discussion. The recording remains available to DPC Members and is a helpful resource for anyone refining their approach to risk and planning.
DPC Members Forum: Three continents, many voices
Our DPC Members Fora take place each year in Europe/Africa/West Asia, the Americas, and Australasia/Asia-Pacific. Each Forum spans two days and offers programming exclusively for DPC Members, alongside an open networking program full of shared knowledge and expertise, and open to anyone interested in digital preservation. This is a great way to hear what friends and colleagues across the community are working on!
These are just a few of the spaces where the DPC community gathers. Spaces to exchange ideas, discover new approaches, and stay connected to developments across the field. You’re very welcome to join any of these events - and if you’d like to be involved more regularly, we’d be glad to welcome you into the DPC in 2026!
As you unwrap this first December Gift, I hope it inspires you to step into one of these shared spaces. Next week, we'll unwrap the second December Gift focused on strengthening skills and supporting the digital preservation workforce ...