If you're ready to set up your team's first (or tenth!) Donut channel but aren't exactly sure how or what kind of channel you'd like to run, you can browse Donut's Channel Templates in the dashboard.
Pro Tip: Ready-made Templates are available on both of our paid plans (Standard and Premium).
Find a program you'd like to implement and get started with just a few quick clicks:
1) Log in to the dashboard at app.donut.ai
2) Select Solutions from the left sidebar menu
3) Browse, hover over, and click Preview on any Templates that interest you. (note: our Free Plan includes one free Intro channel)
4) Once you click Preview on a template, a modal will open, where you can learn a little more about that template.
5) Click Use Template to select which channel you'd like to use and finish the setup. The template settings will already be preselected for you (such as frequency and group size), but you can adjust as you see fit.
How to Add Templates to Existing Channels
Did you create a Channel, but now you've seen the amazing library of Templates and want to update your Channel? We'll walk you through the steps here!
Log in to the dashboard at app.donut.ai
Go to "All Channels" in the left sidebar menu
Select the ⚙️ gear icon on the channel that you would like to apply a template to, this will take you to your settings
At the top of the page, you'll need to click Change Template
Choose your template (You can preview any templates if needed).
Select Use Template in the bottom right corner
If you are sure you want to override your existing settings, you can click Yes, Continue
Make sure you hit save!
That's it; it's time to celebrate! 🎉
Note: When applying a Template to an existing Channel, the Template settings will override any current settings in your Channel, including customized messaging.
What sorts of Templates are available?
From Peer Mentorship to Cross-Department Intros, we've got a ton of different templates available (and more coming!). Here's a running list of the ones you can check out and try for yourself:
Monthly Meetups (by Invision): Create a low-key, regular way for teammates to build their networks every month, no matter your team's size or geographic spread. Donut will set up random meetings and encourage conversation about whatever's top of mind (for example: remote or hybrid work tips).
Bi-weekly Virtual Coffee (by Okta): Create space for teammates to get to know each other as humans. Donut will set up random meetings and encourage conversation with icebreakers about lessons learned, places lived, and favorite things.
Selfie Contest: Compete against other teams to see who can create the best selfie! (Designed to run alongside the Selfie Contest Watercooler pack. Start by installing the Selfie Contest Intro program, and we'll walk you through how to add the Watercooler pack along the way!)
Mistake Party (by LifeLabs): Encourage learning, experimentation, and innovation by inviting employees to share work and life failures in a safe space.
Empathy Accelerator by LifeLabs: Help employees rapidly build empathy and complex conversation skills around what they don't have in common.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mini Actions: Create space for conversation and action around topics of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Donut will set up random groups of people with a mission: to dedicate time and space for antiracist and intersectional advocacy. Use the Watercooler prompts to guide the conversation.
Buffer's Peer Masterminds Program: Create deeper cross-team connections by assigning peers for a 1-hour Masterminds session once per quarter.
WFH Buddies (by AnswerLab): Introduce WFH pros to remote newbies for bonding, support, and tips. Using Cross-Group Intros, Donut will randomly pair WFH newbies with remote work veterans to learn tips and tricks and ask questions in a safe space.
Manager Meetups (by LifeLabs): Help your managers connect, grow, and feel supported by offering manager peer mentor circles. Create a #leadership channel and invite your managers to join in.
Allyship in Action (by LifeLabs): It's everyone's job to make the workplace more inclusive. Create space to discuss allyship and practice accountability. Donut will connect employees to discuss real situations of inequity and bias, create an allyship action plan, and foster accountability to take action as allies.
Get Intros to Another Team/Department: Increase collaboration by introducing people from different departments or teams (sales and engineering, etc.)
Intro teammates across offices or regions: Minimize the distance between teammates by introducing people from different offices or locations.
Create a code pals program: Ship better code and ensure continued growth for your team by matching teammates up to review code together.
Set up sales demo buddies: Create opportunities for continuous feedback by matching up sales team members to shadow each other's sales calls.
Run a lunch lottery: Create an automated lunch lottery where Donut selects one group who "wins" a sponsored lunch each round.
Create a CEO coffee lottery: Randomly select one or more lucky winner(s) to grab coffee and meet with the CEO during each round of intros.
Launch a mentorship program: Create a skill-specific channel (like #public-speaking) and intro self-identified mentees who want to learn with mentors who want to teach.
Donut Celebrations: Automate birthday and work anniversary messages to be sent to a specific channel on people's special days!
For a complete list of everything you can do with Donut, check out our help article on different types of Templates.
If you have any questions or feedback, click the purple Donut button on the bottom right of your screen to open up a chat with our support team!