diff --git a/.pre-commit-config.yaml b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
index c2c67cb0dc..56b5d180f2 100644
--- a/.pre-commit-config.yaml
+++ b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ repos:
     rev: v4.5.0
     hooks:
       - id: trailing-whitespace
+        exclude: '(\.md$)'
       - id: end-of-file-fixer
       - id: check-yaml
         args: [--allow-multiple-documents]
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0d62d01910..d96af040c3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -20,14 +20,14 @@ This repo provides an implementation of an Ingress Controller for NGINX and NGIN
 
 ---
 
-## Join Our Next Community Call!
+## Join Our Next Community Call
 
 We value community input and would love to see you at our next community call. At these calls, we discuss PRs by community members as well as issues, discussions and feature requests.
 
-**When**: Every other Monday at 4 PM Irish Time.
-**Zoom Link**: [KIC - GitHub Issues Triage](https://f5networks.zoom.us/j/91421953779?pwd=197738)
-**Password**: 197738
-**Slack**: Join our channel `#nginx-ingress-controller` on the [NGINX Community Slack](https://nginxcommunity.slack.com/channels/nginx-ingress-controller) for updates and discussions.
+**When**: Every other Monday at 4 PM Irish Time.  
+**Zoom Link**: [KIC - GitHub Issues Triage](https://f5networks.zoom.us/j/91421953779?pwd=197738)  
+**Password**: `197738`  
+**Slack**: Join our channel `#nginx-ingress-controller` on the [NGINX Community Slack](https://nginxcommunity.slack.com/channels/nginx-ingress-controller) for updates and discussions.  
 
 | **Date**      | **Irish Time** | **GMT**  |
 | -------------- | -------------- | -------- |