New Zealand's First Virtual Impact Unconference

It's on.... 

New Zealand’s First Virtual Impact Unconference
24 April 2020: He waka eke noa … we are all in this together

OK people, let’s see how this works… 

Very advanced and extensive plans were in place to hold an Impact Unconference in early May in Christchurch.  In person connection, meaningful discussions and the future: What could go wrong? 

So, we are pivoting to take this idea virtual. 

We will be updating status here www.impactunconference.nz so sign up for the newsletter there.

What is an Unconference?

The aim here is pretty simple: learn from each other, share new thinking and resources and connect to build real community, with challenges and interactions that last beyond the event.  In short, we don’t just want a lot of talking: we want to inspire action.

To do all that an unconference turns to the attendees and asks them to design the program.  How?  Well, at the first zoom event on Tuesday 21st April at noon there will be short lightning talks from key players in the areas of Arts, Environment, Tech, Business, Housing, Community etc to inspire us.  Then you submit your session ideas for 30 minute slots – in other words, you might be the presenter!  If chosen then that session gets allocated a time between 1-5pm on Friday 24th April within one of the zoom streams.  For more background on unconferences see here.

Sounds intriguing, costs are bound to be high, right?

We are keeping costs minimal and are offering this for free.  We will do this virtually - so you provide your own lunch and afternoon tea!  We are asking people to register so we can communicate with you.  This is an experiment – if it works, great.  If not, we tried and learned.

Who is behind this?

Volunteers.  Lots of them.  People who see this time of isolation as a time to reflect but ultimately a time where we realise how much we need each other too.  This unconference is just one tool to empower that connection.

We already had more than 70 organisations supporting the “in person” Impact Unconference and a dedicated team of 20+ on a slack channel and organising it in meetings in person.  Now we will just do it virtually.  The faciliator of the team is Steven Moe from Seeds Podcast www.theseeds.nz/Parry Field Lawyers so send him the hard questions.  If you want to support this initiative then you can – email logo to steven@theseeds.nz and let us know how and in what way you can support. 

I want to understand the timing a bit better…

We do too.  But at present we think it will likely look something like this:

• Explore: On Tuesday 21st April from 12-1 PM we’ll hold a zoom call to release the agenda submissions process, have some lightning talks and discuss how to submit ideas.  Submissions are then open.

• Discover:  On Wednesday 22nd April at 12PM we’ll close the agenda submissions process.

• Curate: By Thursday 23rd April at 11AM we’ll finalise and publish the agenda (process TBC).

• Respond: From Friday 24th from 1PM-5PM on Friday we will run the Unconference (details TBC as may involve multiple zoom channels and/or webinars).

• Connect: From Friday 5-6PM Friday there will be networking for those who want to stick around + any ideas you all have for how we can make connections stick beyond the event.

Sure, but how will this actually look on the Friday?

Like this – you want to listen in on the Arts focused stream on “Unleashing creativity using technology” between 1-1:30pm so you go to that zoom channel.  At 1:30pm you are interested in the “Impact investing: what, why, how” in the business stream so you switch to that zoom channel.  At 2pm you are interested in … you get the idea. 

You don't need to attend all, and you can also come and go between sessions – just leave one and join the other.  However, you need to register to then be sent out the relevant links.

Got it, anything else?

Yes – this is a first so let’s be ready for slow connections, things that don’t work right, and try not to get offended if your amazing submission isn’t chosen.  We will all be learning from this.

We believe the current crisis can be an opportunity for reinvention with a foundation on different norms.  Join us.  Your participation and support is key to whether or not it succeeds!

So - you are looking for help?

Sure are – the more we can get the better!  Let us know if you can help in one of four categories (we will be in touch to confirm where the needs are but your volunteering is helpful!):

1. Core Organising Team (pre event): e.g. comms, ideas session facilitator, tech things (we have a slack channel for this group).

2. Host/ Session Content Facilitators: (on the day): i.e. You and people delivering content, other support likely needed as well

3. Unconference Support Crew:  (on the day) e.g. technical facilitator, digital scribber, social media

4. Friend: You commit to helping spread the word and attend!

Kia kaha team.
Steven Moe
www.theseeds.nz