Send attendance certificate after the conference.

[Mariatta]

After the conference ends, we want to send each attendee their conference attendance certificate.

I have written a blog post on how to create a script for doing this. We need to adapt it to be sent through the web portal instead of as a script on my computer.

Differences from the blog post:

• We use the Django send_email function instead of using GMail API
• Instead of a Python script, create a Django Management Command
• Either invoke it manually using Django Shell, or schedule it as a scheduled task/cron job

Other details:

• Check with conference chair about the GSlide template to be used (if it is different from last year)
• Get the GSlide id
• Get the list of volunteers from the pyladiescon portal's database: They should receive the volunteer certificate instead of the attendee certificate

[VanshikaSharma369]

This can be implemented effectively using Django's management commands and Google Slides API.

Solution Approach

1. Django Management Command
   Create a Django management command (send_certificates.py) that:
   Fetches the attendee and volunteer lists from the database.
   Determines the appropriate certificate (attendee vs. volunteer).
   Uses the Google Slides API to create a certificate with dynamic name insertion.
   Sends the certificate via Django’s send_mail function.

2. Google Slides API Integration
   Retrieve the GSlide template ID.
   Use the Google Slides API to duplicate the slide for each recipient.
   Replace placeholders (like {{name}}) with attendee/volunteer names.
   Export the slide as a PDF and attach it to the email.

3. Email Sending with Django
   Configure Django’s EMAIL_BACKEND (SMTP or other email services).
   Attach the generated PDF certificate and send the email.

4. Running the Command
   Manually: python manage.py send_certificates

[Pradhvan]

I can take it up 👋🏾

[Mariatta]

Sure perhaps start with thinking /designing how to send the certificate to the volunteer, because right now only the volunteer profile model is available.

You can start trying by creating your own Google slides as the base template and creating your own Google API credentials.

Other idea, in terms of user experience:

• also upload the certificate to their user profile, in addition to sending them an email attachment. eg when they login to the portal profile, they can see the certificate from there so they can show it off.
• add the "share" button from their portal profile page so they can post on social media

I'm open to other ideas as well.