Frequently Asked Questions About Rootscamps
(courtesy of the New Organizing Institute)
Q: What is RootsCamp all about?
A: A RootsCamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for activists, organizers, leaders and politicians to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from participants. RootsCamp was initiated by the New Organizing Institute, and is a clone and continuation of BarCamp from the technology world.
- Anyone with something to contribute or with the desire to learn is welcome and invited to join.
- When you come, be prepared to share with rootscampers.
- When you leave, be prepared to share it with the world.
Q: How does it work?
A: RootsCamps are participant driven, using the "unconference" or "open space" format that is born from the desire to share and learn in a productive, fast-paced, open environment. Based on the phenomenally successful BarCamp model, RootsCamps are self-organized. This open format never fails to yield an astounding exchange of information, spin-off projects, and cross-pollination among unexpected partners.
Q: Who will come?
A: RootsCamps will naturally draw in the best and brightest to share their innovations, how-tos, and "lessons learned" from the '06 elections.
Q: How many people do I need to have a RootsCamp?
A: RootsCamps will look different in different places. Some Camps will be organized as large multi day multi session gatherings with catering and a nice patch of floor to sleep on. Others will be small gatherings of 25-50 people in an office space, YMCA, or public library. Size isn’t important – the thing that matters is creating community and sharing best practices.
Q: Why hold local debriefs?
A: Because so many people at all levels are discovering amazing innovations in organizing, using technology to make a difference, adapting to new media habits -- or just getting really good at stuff every campaign knows it needs to do well (but does poorly). Sure, "high-level" debriefs take place in Washington, DC. But who's invited? NOT the precinct captain, the blogger, the guerilla ad maker, or even the head of the state party or local org who doing great things in a bold new way.
Q: What is this wiki business?
A: A wiki is a collaborative web site set up to allow user editing and adding of content.
Q: I don’t know how to use a wiki. Can I still organize a RootsCamp?
A: Sure. We aren’t all familiar with wikis which is why we provided a template set of wiki pages for your event wiki (here) and a contact (here) to help those of us not e-clined.
Contact
Contact us if you have any questions or want to participate. Let us know if you’re hosting your own. RootsCamp is about support as much as it is about information.
web: http://rootscamp.org/
mailing list: http://groups.google.com/group/rootscamp
The Rules of RootsCamp
- 1st Rule: You do talk about RootsCamp.
- 2nd Rule: You do blog about RootsCamp.
- 3rd Rule: If you want to present, you must write your topic and name in a presentation slot.
- 4th Rule: Only three word intros.
- 5th Rule: As many presentations at a time as facilities allow for.
- 6th Rule: No pre-scheduled presentations, no tourists.
- 7th Rule: Presentations will go on as long as they have to or until they run into another presentation slot.
- 8th Rule: If this is your first time at RootsCamp, you HAVE to present. (Ok, you don't really HAVE to, but try to find someone to present with, or at least ask questions and be an interactive participant.)
(by Tantek Çelik as parodied from The Rules of Fight Club.)
Post-RootsCamp
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.