Keys to successful story-telling:
Focus your story where people already are.
Where is your audience at? Start from there, instead of trying to push them somewhere else.
e.g., Free Range Graphics’ Garth Brooks Wal-Mart movie
Wanted to make a point about labor issues, but the audience wasn’t already there
So instead they started where the audience already was: they knew about Garth Brooks, who had just signed a high-profile exclusivity deal with Wal-Mart
Maybe you know Ruckus Society, maybe you don't. But for those of us who didn't know Adrienne Maree Brown before today's session, we won't be forgetting her any time soon. For starters, she made us sing. I was fine with that but, not being a singer (in fact, being almost tone deaf) I didn't know this meant standing up. One gets lazy once one has parked one's ass on the floor.
So, we all sang a note (which one, I couldn't say) and it reminded me of church. I've not been in a long time, but still, the music (when not in Catholic mass - unless midnite mass on xmas eve) is typically uplifting. And in fact, it set the tone for Adrienne's talk, which ended with her calling our geek work divne, and the geeks among us holy! Holy @%!*; that's a nice compliment.
Session Notes: Integrating Toolsets; Technology That Works Nice
Venue: Raven House, Hollyhock Retreat Center, Cortes Island
Conference: Web of Change 2006, woc2006
Presenters: Michael Silberman & Steve Anderson
Opening: Presenter’s self-introduction
Frame: Changes in the technology landscape over the last few years have given us new choices when it comes to software. The era of plugging and playing functionality into our software systems is upon us. Get up to speed on the discussion of modern software. Develop a shared definition of integration.
As you've probably noticed by now, getting all the way to Cortes Island isn't so easy. And I doubt any of us will be canoeing there - we'll all be burning fossil fuels of some amount to make our way from where we live to the gathering. And at the conference, we'll be using paper for our participants package and energy at Hollyhock's facilities.
I'm not a big fan of guilt - other than sometimes motivating you to seek change I find it a rather useless emotion, especially after being environmentally minded for 20 years but still managing to buy things, eat, and live in our world. It's kind of dull to be down on yourself just for living.
So what is an earth caring, people loving, yet still economy participating human being to do?
With two weeks left to go, and new requests for information and attendance coming through the proverbial door every day... Web of Change 2006 is basically sold out. This is going to be our biggest conference to date!
There's always a bit of give at the end, as this person can't make it and that person squeezes in – you know how it goes. However, there's a pretty non-negotiable space limit at Hollyhock – they only have so many beds (and tent spaces) on the land, and they are basically all spoken for. If you're still hoping to squeeze in there, please drop a line to [email protected] to get your name on the waiting list. Next year, please register early!
Less than three weeks to go until Web of Change, and I am really looking forward to meeting everyone and re-connecting with returning folk. This will be my fourth time at WoC and Hollyhock in as many years.
One aphorism keeps coming up when I think of how WoC re-energizes me each fall. "When you are knee deep in alligators, it's hard to remember that the goal was to drain the swamp." Not the eco-friendliest of metaphors, but work with me.
Spending a few days with dozens of inspiring people doing similar work to mine forces me to step back and re-evaluate what I am doing and why. It also gives me an opportunity to see how other people are draining their swamps - what works, what doesn't and what to try next.
