2023:Program/Let's Connect/VVAQS8-Let's Connect/Leadership Development Connectathon in the open hall

Title: Let's Connect/Leadership Development Connectathon in the open hall

Speakers:

LetsConnect

The program creates an open and safe learning space for any Wikimedian that is part of an organized group to share and/or learn different skills ( organizational / interpersonal / grant related / learning & evaluation …) with other peers to add value and contribute collectively to the community. The purpose is to develop skills further, share knowledge and promote human connections and mutual support between different groups and communities in alignment with the Movement Strategy.

Leadership Development Working Group

The Leadership Development Working Group (LDWG) is a global, community-driven working group responding to the Movement Strategy recommendation “Invest in Skills and Leadership Development.” View our work and members on our Meta-wiki page: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Leadership_Development_Working_Group/Working_Group.

Pretalx link

Etherpad link

Room:

Start time:

End time:

Type: No (pretalx) session type id specified

Track: No (pretalx) track id specified

Submission state: confirmed

Duration: 120 minutes

Do not record: true

Presentation language: en

Abstract & description

Abstract

Wikimania is a great scenario for multiple connections that happen in non-conference spaces, having coffee, in hallways, and between events, etc. But is it easy for everyone to connect to others they do not know? Particularly if Wikimedia experience, shyness, language, or culture may be perceived as a barrier.

The Let’s Connect team and Leadership Development working group would like to offer a hand and facilitate these connections through a fun, safe and open activity.

We propose using the open hall to organise a connecting activity that allows people to get to know each other more, as well as discuss around key skills that are important to the Movment. We are proposing three different methodologies to be discussed in further detail if this proposal is approved. Each is slightly different in scope and can fit around the rest of the conference program.

The three alternatives are: 1. Speed connecting: 1:1 get to know each other, less structured. Maximum audience: it depends on the space of the hall and how many chairs fit in two rows. Ie. Approx. 100 people with 2 rows of 50 chairs. 2. Rotating 1:1 chats: 1:1 conversations around shared skills and interests, semi-structured. More limited: depending on the space in the hall, probably around 50-60 with 25 tables, two people at each table. 3. Skills world cafe: group conversations, more structured. About 40-50. 6-7 people per table, around 8 tables.

Description

Three alternative methodologies: 1. Speed connecting: A bit less structured and more focused on connecting on a human level. There are two rows of chairs. Participants are invited to sit facing someone else. One row remains in the same set, and the other rotates. In segments of 5 minutes people freely talk to each other. They will have a set of 5 questions they can ask. 4 will get to know each other questions, and at least 1 will be related to a skill they would like to learn or share in the movement. Some methodological references: https://www.sessionlab.com/methods/speed-dating. 2. Rotating 1:1 chats: A bit more structured connecting around key skills. This involves having set tables each with a skill - ie. Volunteer retention. Participants are invited to can walk around the skills tables and connect with someone for a 1:1 15 min sem-structured chat with some questions that will be provided. The questions will be mainly around the set skill but will also introduce getting-to-know-each-other questions. The reason we want to make it around a skill and not around a “project description” is so people don’t just describe their project but focus on discussing practices and challenges around a specific skill and how it relates to their work. 3. World cafe around skills: similar to the previous idea, this format includes themed tables that participants can freely join to connect, and share learnings and best practices. Table themes will be skills or common challenges (e.g. navigating burn-out, volunteer retention, conflict transformation) Rather than 1:1 conversations, these would be group conversations of around 6-7 people. Each table will have a facilitator (a Let’s Connect or Leadership development working group member). The facilitator will bring guiding questions for discussion, as well as prepare best practices, exercises, and cases. Each table will be repeatedly hosted for a set amount of time, e.g. 20 min each round for 4 rounds. After the allotted time, participants can rotate or hop to another table of their choice. Reference of this methodology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_caf%C3%A9_(conversation)

Expected outcomes: - Promote more widespread human connections in a fun and dynamic way. Particularly connections amongst people that may not naturally connect during the conference because of different barriers. - Allow participants to get to know each other on a human level, but also around shared interests and experiences related to skills that are important for the Movement. - Greater awareness of some peer practices and challenges around these skills, particularly in those working in other parts of the global movement. - Set the stage for those connections to continue after the conference and to be expanding within that person’s larger community.

Further details

Qn. How does your session relate to the event themes: Diversity, Collaboration Future?

Diversity: Let's Connect is based on the principle that we all have knowledge and skills to share, no matter how much experience in the Movement or the size of the group/affiliate. We want to use this fun, interactive, and safe space to promote human connections and connections around skills in a way that facilitates connections where they otherwise might be more difficult. We believe that human connections open the doors to developing greater empathy and understanding, an interpersonal skill that is much required to build a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive movement.

Collaboration: Let's Connect is based on the notion of peer learning and sharing as a form of human interaction, and collaboration. It is the essence of the program and was born out of Movement Strategy discussions around this need. The learning methods it promotes on a daily basis through multiple Learning Clinics, 1:1 connections, monthly Connectathons, and our skills directory are based on the values of collaboration. We hope that by facilitating an open and safe space for connections, these may lead to future collaborations amongst Wikimedians and geographies where this otherwise might have been more difficult.

Qn. What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?

Everyone can participate in this session

Qn. What is the most appropriate format for this session?

Onsite in Singapore
Remote online participation, livestreamed
Remote from a satellite event
Hybrid with some participants in Singapore and others dialing in remotely
Pre-recorded and available on demand