The pace of engagement is crucially important in a community of doers.

Moving too quickly and demanding too much, too soon, can leave volunteers frantic and feeling like they can't keep up. Moving too slowly can lose volunteers who do not see enough activity to hold their own interest.

The weekly IRC meeting has been a hallmark of most successful Fedora projects. For some projects, a weekly meeting may be too much, and for other projects, a weekly meeting may only be a way to checkpoint activity that is going on constantly. Either way, building and maintaining a sense of rhythm is crucial for a healthy community.