Come. Talk. Learn.

Field Organizers: What messages and tactics worked? What didn't?
Bloggers: How did your relationship with traditional media shift?
Fundraisers: Did the makeup of donors (big/sm/online/off) evolve?
Techies: What lessons does the hard data offer?

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BarCamp is the inspiration for RootsCamp. If you are from the BarCamp/Geek world, consider spearheading a RootsCamp in your area.

Organizers Journal

For more information about the Bloomington, Indiana Roots Camp, return to the main page.

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November 16, 2006

By Kevin Makice

Yesterday, I finally got to talk to local press. Mylo interviewed me for a short segment airing today on WFHB radio, and Michael from the IDS called last night for a story that should appear tomorrow. Timing isn't great, but I also got another call from someone registering for the event.

There seem to be a number of reasons getting in the way of attending. Among them:

Thanksgiving week vacation
Scheduled academic conferences elsewhere
No bus route all the way to Ivy Tech
IU basketball game Friday night
Friday is a business day (the last one before vacation for some)
Not sure about the open format
Too early in the morning
Have to watch the kids

No matter how many people show up over the next two days, overcoming hurdles like these to attend, clearly there will be issues to address the NEXT time this kind of event is held.

I'm very optimistic about helping organize another event. The overwhelming response upon describing this open forum was very positive. With more people in the mix, especially those with media and political connections and experience doing this kind of thing, it's possible this could become a regular activity to look forward to several times a year.

I'm not sure how much sleep I'm going to get tonight. Too much unknown makes for nice surprises but also anxious hours in anticipation.

I hope to see You the 17th and 18th.

October 6, 2006

By Kevin Makice

In the spirit of transparency and support, I wanted to share a little update on my process thus far. (I can say more, but I'll try to keep this less verbose than it might become)

Little Town Blues - Bloomington is a very active town, not just with politics. I have talked with about a dozen or so people about this idea, and the response has been positive. My expectations are likely considerably different than the big city camps I see on the site, as anything in between 10 and 100 people might be expected and that would be an excellent turnout in my book. The largest unconference event I have been to was at WikiSym, which ran Open Spaces alongside the regular program. There were about 70 people at the conference, and most gave the spaces a try at least for one discussion (which unfortunately were opposite the scheduled speakers). I'll admit to being a little intimidated and feeling like I'm lining up my Big Wheel to race a Corvette.

Strategy - I'm behind in my goals, but that is mainly from bad timing and lack of effort. I wanted to have all of the locations figured out so next week forth would be all about the promotion and sponsorship. I secured a location for one session - Friday night - but don't have the cash or the responses yet on the other targeted locations. I felt it important to spread out the sites so as not to overburden anyone and to provide more opportunities to participate. I have a meeting tomorrow with a rep from the local Libertarian party and another on Monday with someone from City government. I'd still like to get the sites covered (preferably for free) and print up some initial fliers before I start promoting in top gear.

Format - My format may/may not be more structured than other camps, but I felt it necesary for two reasons. First, I wanted to make sure that there was sufficient opportunity to post and promote a topic idea. Second, I wanted to make sure summarization and communicating to the larger group was valued. The four-session format seemed an appropriate break without overwhelming anyone, allowing for people to come and go without feeling they had to devote more than a couple hours to the event. I also added a target theme for each session. This won't be a rule, but it does help potential participants frame their attendance in a meaningful way.

Money - I hate money and have no inclination toward raising any for this, even as I recognize the event could be aided by any kind of contribution. I would love it if someone local who IS good at fundraising might take that all upon themselves and find a way to pay for some food, some bling, and some materials. I feel very comfortable doing the rest.

Time - I have two small kids, a wife raising them, grad school, grad assistantship, and no money to spare. The biggest and best resources I have to offer are my willingness to type and speak, but finding the time to do the work needed to get this going is difficult. It would make a world of difference if I could get just one other person to share the load, helping to push me harder at the same time.

Purpose - The RootsCamp is billed as a post-election debriefing, and that's fine. It makes sense given the timing and the desire to keep people motivated. But my ultimate hope, and the reason I am excited enough about this idea to sleep even fewer hours a night, is the chance to open dialogue across demographics and traditional ideologies. I have a Big Picture vision for political dialogue being about understanding rather than persuasion, and I think RootsCamp is a great forum to try that approach.

Logo - We need one. Maybe one that puts some sense of Grass in the Roots, so the visual image of the name feels a little more clear about the focus on politics.

If I don't get the other 2-3 locations nailed down by Wednesday, I'm going to scale back and make it just a one-session event. It's more important to have something established than have all four sessions organized.