The
UNConference: UNConventional, But With
UN-Deniably Positive Results
As a Marketing Coordinator by day I attempt to keep
pace with the moving target that is social media and its plethora of
possibilities. As a member of the Social
Media Club
leadership team by day and night I
assist in promoting the club’s mission to “share, engage and collaborate with the community on the
issues of social media and technology.”
I also make a valiant effort not
to blurt out excitedly, “Oh, I know what that is!” every time
I actually know something on the topic of social media. Who can blame any of us for expressing the
giddiness that accompanies the momentary bliss that is the understanding of a
new app, feature, or device?
Recently I’ve been learning scads of new things,
some of which I can even talk about in a PG-13 blog. One of these is a concept and resultant participant-driven
conference format called the Unconference.
(Can you hear the term Unconference and not think UnCola if you’re of a certain
age or big on 7UP lore?)
The Unconference operates from an agenda that is
created upon arrival by the participants, for the participants and there are
UN-Rules:
1. The people
who come are the best people who could have come.
2. Whatever
happens is the only thing that could have happened.
3. It starts
when it starts.
4. It's over
when it's over.
5. The Law of Two Feet ("If you are not
learning or contributing to a talk or presentation or discussion it is your
responsibility to find somewhere where you can contribute
or learn").
Where did this un-format come from? Like most concepts it gets a bit murky. Where
or to whom you attribute the idea depends upon whether you enjoy the bounty
that is Wikipedia information or if you get your facts from academics who study
these types of trends.
For our purposes we’ll go with the background that
credits the “Open Space Technology format/method developed by Harrison Owen developed
in the mid 1980's.”
(Yes, you’re onto me; I’ve taken the Wikipedia path
to knowledge.)
Usually at conferences we listen to (and do not
interact with) others unless you count shared eye rolls, meaningful glances at
wristwatches, and shrugs of surrender with your fellow conference
attendees.
Not so at an Unconference because it is unscripted
and the partakers set the agenda connecting everyone through active
participation. In addition to this you
add a short and personal action plan to the mix and you’ve got yourself a “wha
la!” moment or two.
In a polar opposite twist on that pop adage “what
happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” what occurs at an UnConference does not stay
at an UnConference. In fact, as
thought-provoking discussions bud and burst forth into full bloom they are
being tweeted, retweeted, and webcammed on out into the free world in real
time. Not only are the conference
attendees there, but so is anyone else who wants to join the information party.
The turn-out at the Social Media Club’s first
Unconference on Friday, July 20, 2012 was stellar with over 60 people turning
out from a multitude of career paths; media outlets, advertising agencies, and state
agencies to name a few.
The event was held at the roomy and hospitable
facility that is the College of Continuing Education at Sacramento State
Terms like “thought leadership,” “open discussion”
and “hash tags” were bandied about and half sheets of paper were flying around
with clever ideas scribed on them.
(Okay, they weren’t flying, but rather firmly adhered to the white board
in readiness for placement in a jigsaw puzzle-like schedule that would allow
for everyone’s conference topic ideas to see the light of day.)
As the day rolled out everyone was fully engaged in
this rich process, the exchange of knowledge, and the ensuing interpersonal
interactions. The Unconference meetings culminated
with each contributor striking a camera-ready pose, holding up a piece of paper
emblazoned with what was learned about social media and what action was going
to be taken next.
What an UN-Conventionally productive way to end an
UN-Convention.
Sources:
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