The "unconference" as a citizen alternative

Some citizens are protesting the process for closing schools in DC by boycotting the upcoming one day 23 separate hearings. Others suggested holding an alternative conference.

This comes from the Think NOLA (New Orleans) website. I think it's a good alternative. Only by building the base of strong alternatives can we successfully change the dialectic and the process.

The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority Unconference

The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority is facing political and procedural challenges. There are many organizations working to address these challenges. The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority Unconference will create an environment where these organizations can collaborate. They can share their experiences with and concerns about the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority and its mission.

We are hosting a participant driven conference which will strengthen relationships between grassroots organizations and will further the successful collaborations between grassroots organizations and government.

• Where: Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal St, New Orleans, LA
• When: Saturday, January 12th, 2008 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Contact: Alan Gutierrez, alan@thinknola.com, (504) 717-1428
• Register Now - Please help us accommodate you by registering. Fill out this simple registration form.

Think New Orleans is partnering with Mid-City Neighborhood Organization, Downtown Neighborhood Improvement Association, Trinity Christian Community, CityWorks, Common Knowledge, Citizens Road Home, Phoenix New Orleans and CBNO/MAC to produce an unconference format forum to discuss the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority. The Trinity Christian Community has pledged financial support to produce the unconference.

The issues that surround the vast inventory of blighted, adjudicated and Road Home properties are of great concern to many of us involved in the recovery. We are in the midst of a critical public input phase of the future of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority. We should get together and talk.

The Unconference Format

The unconference format is a real format that comes out of Silicon Valley, where technical people got tired of going to conferences to sit in audiences and get lectured by marketing types. Why are you telling me about the future of the industry when I'm the one who is implementing it? Thus, they set out to create a format with more human interaction, less sitting still eyes forward. (And no, it's not computerized or technical at all.)

The unconference is a structured format, but it allows the participants to set the agenda, not the conference organizers.

So often, we attend public hearings to try and inject our message or ask our questions in those three minutes before the microphone cuts off. As is always the case, the real information is exchanged in hallways before and after. We're adapting the unconference format to create participant driven civic participation.

Questions and Comments

If you have any questions about the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority Unconference, please email alan@thinknola.com or call Alan Gutierrez at (504) 717-1428.

Visit the unconference web forum to connect with other participants.

Special Thanks

The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority Unconference is produced with the financial support of the Trinity Christian Community.