[OSList] Seeking Feedback on Participation Instructions for an Online Event

[Marie Nelson via OSList]

Hi Lucas,
It seems to me that focusing on the process up front in the invitation would let people know what to expect but also make clear the benefits of what you want to do. What about something like this (very rough) draft?

Purpose
1.      Bring the toughest questions and challenges you're currently facing and receive supportive insights from other participants.
2.      Network with other innovators about your civic tech project.

I suggest this because your challenge shifting to a self-organizing, conversational approach parallels my experience working with colleagues to apply what we language researchers understood about how people learn to our own professional development. The traditional models were based on a discredited “transmission theory” of learning but we created many self-directed, conversational session formats which operated within the larger conference framework. I'll give just one example:

For many years, beginning in the early 80s, I chaired a day-long “Seminar on Qualitative Research in Progress” for the research committee of National  Council of Teachers of  English. The goal was to support  the use of emergent  research designs which were being shot down right and left by gatekeepers who dominated doctoral committees, university research review boards, funding agencies, editorial boards of journals and university presses, and university tenure/promotion committees.

Instead of inviting finished papers for people to "present," we took a developmental view and invited people to share questions and “stuck places” so they could get diverse perspectives on 1. how to strengthen their work and/or 2. how to negotiate the divisive paradigm shift taking place in the field. The session holistic thinkers and innovators--grad students. junior and senior faculty, a few NCTE presidents and conference keynotes.

For years our seminar was featured in NCTE's pre-conference publicity. It nurtured (and protected) innovators in our field, supporting careers at all levels as we brainstormed strategies and knowledge of academia for surviving the backlash folks always face during paradigm gaps. During that time participants found fresh perspectives on their work, were supplied with important references and research strategies, and found (or served as) distinguished mentors to validate their more holistic and complex kinds of research. ​​​






From: OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Lucas Cioffi via OSList
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 2:27 AM
To: World wide Open Space Technology email list <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>
Subject: [OSList] Seeking Feedback on Participation Instructions for an Online Event

Hello OSLIST,

I'm hosting an online unconference on Thursday (using Zoom + Qiqo + Slack), and I'm seeking feedback from the list about the language I'm using (pasted at the bottom of this email).  An unconference is similar to OST but quite different.  Sessions are more presentation style than OS (because people often want to spread the word about a project they are working on), however I am encouraging people to make their sessions more conversational.

We do have a solid turnout of 50 people so far.  By leading with "Spread the word about your civic tech project" I recognize that I am encouraging presentation-style sessions.  In my estimation, it was the way to make this event interesting to the broadest number of people.  Of course, broad is not always best.

My overall goal with the event is to help the opengov/civic-tech fields become more collaborative, but I didn't include that in the invitation, becauseI don't think many people are interested in that yet.  I think this event can serve as a stepping stone.

Would you have used a different purpose or a different agenda format?  How would you make this more like online OST?  I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Lucas Cioffi
Charlottesville, VA
Mobile: 917-528-1831


---------- Forwarded message to Participants ----------


The 2016 OpenGov & CivicTech Online Unconference
Thursday, January 28, 2016 from 4pm-7pm GMT (11am-2pm EST)

Purpose
1. Spread the word about your civic tech project.
2. Network with other innovators.
3. Bring the toughest questions and challenges you're facing and gain insights from other participants.

Before the Unconference
·        1. Register here<http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-opengov-civictech-online-unconference-tickets-20428926469> and join 50+ participants.
·        2. Download Zoom<https://zoom.us/support/download> for video chat.
·        3. Invite your friends.
·        4. Optional: Say "Hi" to everyone by using the Slack group chat channel<https://civic-innovation.slack.com/>.  That will be the place for group chat and 1-1 messages.  It is open now and will remain open after the event.  If you haven't received an invitation, click here<https://civic-innovation-slack.herokuapp.com>.
·        5. Optional: Post the topic for your 25-min breakout session at the Opening Circle for this Unconference<https://qiqochat.com/breakout/0/GWpNxHhKcWdgOampUOxAbNelP> (a preview is at the bottom of this email).  Sessions should be conversational and free-flowing rather than 1-way presentations.

During the Unconference
·        1. Go to the Opening Circle for this Unconference<https://qiqochat.com/breakout/0/GWpNxHhKcWdgOampUOxAbNelP> and create a free account.
2. Click the red "Join Audio/Video" to launch Zoom video chat.

Ground Rules

  *   You are encouraged to jump to another breakout table at any time if there is another topic that is more interesting.  Don't be shy; it's OK!

  *   Be generous with your ideas and time and others will be that way for you.

  *   Let's have fun!


= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
UNCONFERENCE AGENDA

Opening and Welcome: 4pm GMT (11am EST)
Once you're all set, you can jump between the breakout tables to mingle and to get to know other participants before Round 1 begins.

Round 1: 4:30pm GMT (11:30am EST)
·        Table 1: Taking a completely new tech concept and how to pursue it - Scott Brown, icitizen
·        Table 2:
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Round 2: 5pm GMT (12pm EST)
·        Table 1: Gaining & keeping public trust on technology - Dr. Tony Harkin & Dr. Mark Keida, icitizen
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Round 3: 5:30pm GMT (12:30pm EST)
·        Table 1: How to make civic tech interesting to millennials - Alex Schreiner, icitizen
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Round 4: 6pm GMT (1pm EST)
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Closing: 6:30pm GMT (1:30pm EST)
An open discussion at the Main Table.

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