Wikipedia’s definition of a BarCamp is:
BarCamp is an international network of user generated conferences -open, participatory workshop-events, whose content is provided by participants -often focusing on early-stage web applications, and related open source technologies, social protocols, and open data formats.
Got your head around that one? Yeah, it’s a bit dry. This post should demystify a little what happens at a BarCamp event, and what you can get out of spending your weekend with geeks rather than chilling out at home.
Totally different from regular conferences, BarCamps are more open and less structured. This means, when you arrive, you’re likely to see a grid, where you can jot down what you’d like to talk about. It’s an opportunity for people from all backgrounds and all skill levels to have a go at sharing some knowledge.
Sounds scary? It’s not essential that you present in front of a group using a Powerpoint presentation and a laser pointer while wearing a suit. In fact, suits are definitely not recommended.
When you come, be prepared to share with barcampers.
When you leave, be prepared to share it with the world.
Presentation slots are generally 30 minutes, so you don’t need to do a doctorate thesis. It’s definitely not all about monologuing in front of the group for the full half-hour, it’s about sharing your experiences, asking others to pitch in with ideas or just leading a useful conversation.
Still getting cold feet? You can still help in a number of ways. The organisers are volunteers and (generally) have only two hands each. So if you’re not too keen on doing a presentation, why not lend a hand with registration, coffee breaks, cleaning up or setting up the A/V system?
One of the best bits of a BarCamp is the memories you take home with you. But if you’re like me and you have the memory of a goldfish, the key is to capture the event in some way. So why not offer to blog or record the event on video or in photos? If you’re a podcaster, create a VoxPop clip with the participants.
BarCamp are full day events with lots of simultaneous conversations and tons of interesting people. To make the most of this, you’ll need some of the following:
Tara ‘missrogue’ Hunt, Citizen Agency co-founder, public speaker & blogger, says:
“Personally? BarCamp was an exciting idea for me, but at first I was afraid to stand up and talk… just wanted to observe and have one on one conversations… maybe ask a few questions from the audience. After a while, though, I decided to take the leap and put myself on the speaking schedule.I’m glad I did, because it started my career! I went from speaking at BarCamps… Really getting my chops wet and practicing my skills. I got stronger and stronger as a speaker. One day I was approached by a conference organizer who asked me to give a workshop on my ideas. Next thing I know, I’m speaking all over the world and have WAY more professional confidence than I’ve ever had. That all started with BarCamp. It gave me the opportunity to really push myself into the next level.
Mel Kirk, social media gal extraordinaire says:
My first experience of a barcamp was during SXSW and was BarCamp Austin… Totally awesome! We heard some people chatting about it and decided to drop in… I still have my pass and lanyard as it was one of my highlights. They had this awesome T-shirt station where you could buy a t-shirt and then have a number of different designs printed onto it. I didn’t have enough cash to buy one but I really wish that I had, they were gorgeous.There was a whole buzz about the place - it was in a really cool bar - totally laid back and relaxed and I met some amazing people that I would never have otherwise have met. Because it was a lot more laid back than a normal conference-type set up, people feel more relaxed to ask the presenters questions which leads to much more of a conversation type feel rather than content being pushed to the audience.
I’d recommend a BarCamp to anyone - it’s filled with amazing talented people willing to share and discuss their knowledge… where else can you get something like that?
Nik Butler aka Loudmouthman says
“don’t let anyone convince you they are not the werewolf”
Got some BarCamp stories to share? Maybe Suggestions for new attendees? Please leave a comment below!
About the Author:Vero is a French-Canadian gal living in the UK. She is a social media consultant, marketer and geekette. For more about Vero, check out her blog, that Canadian Girl.
We'd like to take a moment to introduce some of the people who are volunteering to help produce BarCamp Africa Silicon Valley:
Ellen has built her career on creating customer and product loyalty for technology companies. During her ten years at Apple, Ellen drove growth in Apple's international markets and pioneered the use of online networks to connect Apple's global users to the company and its products. Her more recent work has guided Google, Oracle, Apple, NeXT, MCI, JAJAH, OurStory.com, Ribbit (recently acquired by BT) Blippr and others to expand markets and build loyalty through strategic partnerships and initiatives. She actively supports entrepreneurial, microfinance and children's causes in Africa, advises a portfolio of technology startups, and is a frequent speaker on social media strategy.
-Find Ellen on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/chep2m
Kaushal is a third generation Kenyan, currently living and working in the Bay Area as a technology strategist with a strong career focus on payment systems, mobile computing and social media. His most recent consulting relationships have been with Wells Fargo Bank, AAA of Northern California, Cisco Systems and a host of small to mid-size corporations. He is actively involved in advising various initiatives such as Ushahidi, and the India Sponsorship Committee on their use of technology to extend reach and engage communities. Kaushal continues to find elegance in indigenous reproducible solutions that solve everyday problems in Africa.
-Find Kaushal on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ksjhalla
Saul is the Director of Operations at Abraham & Harrison, LLC and a native of South Africa. He has co-founded, with his wife, two creative corporate team-building companies in the Bay Area. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in Political Economics, and completed an honors thesis focused on South Africa's corporate investments in Africa. Saul believes that mobile technology and the "arrival" of the web in Africa will lead to profound changes throughout the continent.
Saul is a true believer and avid supporter of Africa's ingenuity, creativity and positive future and regularly travels between his homes in Cape Town, SA and Oakland, CA.
-Find Saul on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/sachutney
Shara, our "Queen of Amplification", began her internet career in 1995 working out of a San Francisco garage, and has been making media more social ever since. She led the online community for Classroom Connect's Quest, where kids around the world collaborated with an expedition team in journeys of scientific and historical discovery. In 2001, Shara was a Geekcorps volunteer in Accra, where she worked with Ghanaians to develop websites as part of USAID's EDDI initiative which had the goal of using information technology to support development of democracy and transparency. Currently she runs the small business community for Work.com, consults for MobileActive.org, and recently helped organize the Drums to Beat Malaria benefit in Venice, CA.
-Find Shara on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sharakarasic
Perrin is a passionate evangelist for the causes of Africa. Completely changed by a trip to Nairobi Kenya (pre-election crisis), his passion is devoted towards building partnerships for change between the US and Africa. Towards this end, Roots of Africa was formed to connect available resources in the US and abroad with various projects and needs in Africa. Perrin's background includes extensive sales, marketing, technology, non-profit adminstration and leadership experience. In his home life, he is the husband of a professional musician/singer/songwriter and father of three young children; all eager to travel to Africa!
-Find Perrin on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/rootsofafrica
Elia is a journalist and a photographer originally from Spain, who has lived in a few countries with long names before landing in San Francisco. She has contributed to a number of blogs, including a Europe travelogue and a wine blog, and is a frequent contributor at Global Voices Online. Recently she co-founded Maneno, a web portal that strives to provide a localized and accessible communication platform specifically designed for Sub-Saharan Africa. The goal of Maneno, which means 'words' in Swahili, is to be translated in as many African languages as possible, and to assist in the development of a truly grassroots citizen journalism in Sub-Saharan Africa.
-Find Elia on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eliaws
During the day, Julie is an executive recruiter with the nonprofit strategy consulting firm, The Bridgespan Group. Prior to joining Bridgespan in 2007, Julie conceived of and built an international corporate philanthropy program for her former company, Heidrick & Struggles. In the evening, Julie is a very active volunteer with Bead for Life, an economic development project devoted to helping women living in extreme poverty in Uganda.
Through BFL, Julie has developed a passion for all things African and is delighted to be involved in Bar Camp Africa! Julie's other passions are traveling, rowing with the competitive women's crew team at Bair Island Aquatic Center (BIAC), and engaging in discourse around social justice.
