Add CONTRIBUTING file and modify README file about live QA regarding new contributors

2 files changed, 57 insertions, 5 deletions

diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..64af450d29f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+# How to contribute
+
+MariaDB Server has a vibrant community contributing in a wide range of areas. There are many valuable ways you can contribute to MariaDB.
+
+### Engage online with other community members
+---
+-   [MariaDB on Zulip](https://mariadb.zulipchat.com/)
+-   [maria-developers mailing list](http://launchpad.net/~maria-developers)
+-   [maria-discuss mailing list](http://launchpad.net/~maria-discuss)
+-   [maria-docs mailing list](http://launchpad.net/~maria-docs)
+-   ircs://chat.freenode.net/maria ([see the IRC page on the Knowledge Base](https://mariadb.com/kb/en/meta/irc-chat-servers-and-zulip-instance/)  for help with IRC).
+-   The MariaDB Foundation and MariaDB Corporation have a presence on Reddit, Twitter, Facebook and Google Plus. See the  [social media page](https://mariadb.com/kb/en/mariadb/social-media/).
+
+### Help document MariaDB
+----
+-   Contribute towards [documenting MariaDB Server](https://mariadb.com/kb/en/meta/writing-editing-library-articles/)  and its ecosystem by adding new content or improving existing content.
+-   [Translate](https://mariadb.com/kb/en/meta/translating-library-articles/)  existing documentation.
+
+### Help debug and develop MariaDB
+-----
+-   [Report bugs](https://jira.mariadb.org/)
+-   Test development versions
+-   Write code to fix bugs or develop new features (see  [Getting Started for Developers](https://mariadb.org/getting-started-for-developers)).See also [list of beginner friendly tasks](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-15736?jql=resolution%20%3D%20Unresolved%20AND%20labels%20%3D%20beginner-friendly%20ORDER%20BY%20updated%20DESC)
+-   Help with code quality control
+-   Participate in packaging for different Linux distributions
+
+### Sponsor or donate
+---
+You’re very welcome to support MariaDB Server as an individual, or talk your company into joining the Foundation as a sponsoring member. See the  [Sponsor page](https://mariadb.org/donate/).
+
+### Events, meetups and conferences
+---
+-   Attend an event
+    -   [Events and Conferences page](https://mariadb.org/events/)
+    -   [mariadb.meetup.com](http://mariadb.meetup.com/)
+
+### Live QA for beginner contributors
+----
+MariaDB has a dedicated time each week when we answer new contributor questions live on Zulip and IRC.
+From 8:00 to 10:00 UTC on Mondays, and 10:00 to 12:00 UTC on Thursdays, anyone can ask any questions they’d like,
+and a live developer will be available to assist.
+New contributors can ask questions any time, but we will provide immediate feedback during that interval.
+
+### Additional resources
+----
+ - [MariaDB Foundation ](https://mariadb.org/)
+ - [Knowledge Base](https://mariadb.com/kb/en/)
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7cdcc90471f..932ad768d62 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -29,22 +29,27 @@ https://mariadb.com/kb/en/
 
 https://mariadb.com/kb/en/mariadb-vs-mysql-features/
 
-https://mariadb.com/kb/en/mariadb-versus-mysql-features/
-
 https://mariadb.com/kb/en/mariadb-versus-mysql-compatibility/
 
 As MariaDB is a full replacement of MySQL, the MySQL manual at
 http://dev.mysql.com/doc is generally applicable.
 
-Help:
+Help
 -----
 
 More help is available from the Maria Discuss mailing list
 https://launchpad.net/~maria-discuss
 and the #maria IRC channel on Freenode.
 
+Live QA for beginner contributors
+----
+MariaDB has a dedicated time each week when we answer new contributor questions live on Zulip and IRC.
+From 8:00 to 10:00 UTC on Mondays, and 10:00 to 12:00 UTC on Thursdays,
+anyone can ask any questions they’d like, and a live developer will be available to assist.
+
+New contributors can ask questions any time, but we will provide immediate feedback during that interval.
 
-License:
+License
 --------
 
 ***************************************************************************
@@ -61,7 +66,7 @@ and COPYING.thirdparty files.
 
 ***************************************************************************
 
-Bug Reports:
+Bug Reports
 ------------
 
 Bug and/or error reports regarding MariaDB should be submitted at: