Hi all — I’m so glad you’ve agreed to come to THATCamp Leadership. For some of you, this will be only one of many THATCamps you’ve attended (or organized): for others of you, it will be the first THATCamp and probably the first unconference you’ve ever attended. I’m writing this in order to give you more information about the purposes and processes of this special event.
First, a bit about purpose. THATCamp Leadership will
- introduce academic leaders such as yourself to THATCamp and to the unconference model;
- carve out some retreat-like time for discussion of and work on issues related to the humanities and technology; and
- begin the process of creating a THATCamp Coordinating Council to administer the THATCamp project.
“That’s all very well,” you may be saying to yourself, “but how on earth does one approach this ‘unconference’ animal? What is expected at THATCamp Leadership, what will happen there, and what am I to do?”
Here, then, is a bit about process. To prepare for THATCamp Leadership, you should
- pack your business casual clothes,
- bring a laptop (or a tablet, though I advise a laptop),
- have an idea for a session (optional, but strongly recommended), and
- show up.
That’s all, really. The essence of an unconference is that it is participant-driven, and therefore those who attend will collaboratively decide what the agenda will be in the first session of the first day. What will happen on Thursday, October 10th, 2013 at THATCamp Leadership is therefore mostly to be determined — by us. Most people propose a session (or several) a week or two before the event begins, but you can also chime in with an idea as we work together to set the schedule at the beginning of the day on 10/10/13.
You can learn more about the principles and processes of THATCamp at THATCamp 101, and you can read further about proposing sessions and see examples of session proposals at leadership2013.thatcamp.org/propose/. I will also email you about October 1st to encourage you to propose something and to explain the process further.
Tomorrow I will add all participants to the THATCamp Leadership site as users; you will receive your username and password (if you don’t already have one) by email. This will allow you to log in to the site at leadership2013.thatcamp.org/wp-login.php and edit your profile (which will be listed on the Participants page) and/or write an early proposal. Don’t hesitate to write me at info@thatcamp.org if you have questions. I’m looking forward to unconferencing with you all.
