So in particular, as an event model for the coming year takes shape, participants and potential participants like yourself, can hold this model to the test and help determine:
Are these events worth my time? Do they help me achieve or learn something I want?
With that in mind, I’d like to share the first unfiltered draft of an “event menu” for the Mozilla Foundation.
The goal is to provide an overview of event formats, with bite-sized descriptions and value propositions to participants. Many of these formats can be combined; many of them already offer abundant materials and case studies. For the remainder, there is work to be done to improve and support the format.
and in PDF. (HTML version coming soon)
Smart people like Dan Sinker, Brett Gaylor, Jess Klein, Ben Moskowitz, and Chris Lawrence & the Hive team, are leading the way to shape web-making activities for Mozilla that are compelling and valuable. Together we will continue hacking on this event menu and additional materials to improve these activities and make them more accessible to communities around the world.
If you are interested, you can certainly make help make an impact — as a beta-tester, as an event participant, an organizer, a facilitator, or a critic — many skills are needed to create a web literate planet.
Inspiration for the event menu comes from a variety of sources and experiences, including:
- The Hackasaurus Hacktivity Kit, a colorful guide bursting with lesson plans, IT checklists, and lots of helpful advice for hosting your own hack jam and using Hackasaurus’ simple tools to explore and remix the web. Jess Klein and Atul Varma have been testing and building the kit, which launched in beta in November.
- Virtual events, such as Fireside Chats (like the one held in December by the Hive Learning Network NYC) and the weekly Web Maker Calls. Virtual events are easy to organize, cost-effective, and transcend geography. Increasingly, I see them as efficient ways to scale meet-ups without breaking the bank or much logistic hassle.
- Tried and true formats, like the Mozilla Science Fair and Pop-Up Experience. These event-types have been deployed in a number of places and allow for quick yet compelling curation. They fit easily into larger events, and they can be mixed & matched to address participant interests and availability.
- Value, value, value. The biggest lesson learned from Gunner, event facilitator nonpareil, is that an event must always deliver value to its participants. What is it that a participant aspires to achieve? How are they getting value out of the experience? What is the motivation and return for investing precious time and energy?
Slowly, the value proposition is beginning to emerge in the Mozilla Foundation event model. Yet it is in constant need of evaluation and revision. Value is a guiding principle; it is a question one must ask at every step. Your thoughts are very welcome and very needed!