I’m heading to LA tomorrow, to speak to the winners of the 2010 Knight Community Information Challenge during their three-day boot camp at USC Annenberg.
I’ve sat down several times to craft my presentation over the last two weeks, but every time I get started, it just doesn’t feel strong enough. I end up jotting down notes and ideas but never commit to anything concrete.
At first I thought it was about me being a perfectionist,which does happen from time to time, but I know that’s not it. It’s much more than that.
This group isn’t simply thinking about community projects or looking to learn enough to convince the leaders of their organizations that they should invest in online communities. They’ve got the funding to do it and they’re going to do it, so my words can have real impact on the grantees and their projects, and I don’t take that lightly.
It’s an amazing opportunity for me and I am deeply honored to have been invited. But on some level, I’m feeling the pressure because of it. It’s not the kind of pressure that makes you cave, but the kind that makes you want to give 110%.
I’ve read the project summaries at least three times each because I want to understand the mission of each and give the best advice I possibly can. All are part of a growing movement to help fund local news and information projects and ensure that residents are informed and engaged.
If you’re a regular reader, you know my thoughts on what it takes to effectively engage communities. Not to mention the fact that you have to get them there first.
I have to tell them that. They need to know that their job will be difficult at best, and it will take serious commitment to grow any community. But I don’t want to scare them. I suspect that this is why I’ve struggled.
I know from experience that building it is not enough. So maybe that’s what I’ll say first and go from there. After all, I can talk about this stuff all day.
I’ve got a six-hour plane ride ahead of me, which is plenty of time to pull it all together but I’m thinking this time I’ll speak more from the heart and depend less on a Powerpoint.
This group of winners has a unique opportunity to make real change in their communities, both online and off. I just want to give them something to put them on the road to success.
Wish me luck.
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March 21, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Lolly
Good luck with your speech Angela. I know you will do a great job.
March 22, 2010 at 12:42 am
Jill
Dear Angela,
Of course I wish you luck – it is quite a responsibility to have such an opportunity to address the winners and to know that you have this rare occasion to share with them your thoughts.
Actually, I think the best clue about what you want to do is in your final para – “This group of winners has a unique opportunity to make real change in their communities, both online and off. I just want to give them something to put them on the road to success.”
The thing I love most about your contributions to on line community management is that you are committed to community building and engagement, the winning of change and movement towards success. There is such passion in what you write that I have no doubt that you have a message that is relevant.
You can’t do it all though as the motivator, it is up to them to have a personal want to work within a community, and to have clarity in the goal that they have for their community. If they have reached this level of acceptance of their roles and distinguish themselves as leaders of community and change then everything you offer them will be a gift.
Happy travelling and presenting
Fingers, toes and eyes crossed for you.
March 22, 2010 at 2:08 am
Kathy Jacobs
Angela,
My thoughts, take them or leave them as you wish:
Do what you do best. Share what you know. Give them the resources to find out what they need. Get them a way to talk with each other.
Then, remind them that the community online is really not much different than the off-line one. They know how to build connections and communities. They are looking for you to help them take that into the online world.
You know how to do it and how to talk about it. Relax and talk with them. We already know how great you are; they will soon too.
(Oh – and about those slides…. Ditch a third of the ones you think you need. Talk from your passion. Use a lot of images and a lot of focusing words and phrases. The slides are really just there to back up to the real show – YOU.)
March 22, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Angela Connor
Thanks for the excellent advice and kind words, Kathy. You’re right, I just need to talk to them. I will jot down my main points and just have a conversation. Since I don’t even have my slides yet, there’s nothing to ditch. But I will take your advice and use them in a very limited way. Thanks again!!
March 22, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Angela Connor
Hey Jill. Your words are quite comforting. I thank you for that. I will be sure to use some of what I’ve written in this post and continue to speak from the heart. Thanks for the positive vibes. I’m typing this as I sit in the airport.
March 22, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Angela Connor
Lolly, I appreciate the vote of confidence and your continued support.
March 23, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Polly Talen
You were great tonight. Thanks so much for joining us.
Polly
April 1, 2010 at 10:30 am
Martin Reed
I trust it went well. If you spoke from the heart and put PowerPoint at the bottom of your priority list, I bet you did great!