WordCamp Conferences – You Have Too Want It and Own It
by William Jackson, M.Ed.
Organizer, Volunteer, Speaker, Advocate, Micro-sponsor
The growing anniversaries of WordCamp conferences is a
pivital point in many of those attending these transitiveness
tech conferences globally.
Organizers and BloggersWC or WordCamp is an opportunity to learn new skills and
apply to the value and importance of building knowledge
then applying that knowledge strategically. Learning
marketing strategies, the value of recognizing changes
in applications that take the future and pull us forward.
The evolution of “tracks” shows the diversity of the
speakers in culture, gender, demographics and their
knowledge base.
Diversity and inclusiveness means across the board
cultural, gender, color and even generational values
to all. The understanding that as content creators we
cannot live in a vacuum or in our own worlds because
of the beauty of diversity in interests applied to
the dynamic platform of WordPress.
One of the pivital points of WordCamp is the Kids Camp
that provides a platform of networking, education,
encouragement, empowerment and even enlightenment.
Youth, teens and young adults grow in their business
and entrepreneurial knowledge.
They are engaged in exchanges of knowledge, higher
order thinking and critical thinking skills.
The instruction, mentoring and role modeling through
the speakers and volunteers showed that youth, teens
and young adults are encouraged to be engaged and involved.
Sharing to the future bloggers, graphic designers, coders,
programmers that they have to want to own it, and through
that ownership they are a growing influence.
Teaching future content creators, bloggers, entrepreneurs,
business owners, educators, venture capitalists and others
that allow for engagement, empowerment and elevation for the
future business leaders in technology.
My observations as an educator, business owner and parent
are the lessons learned from WordCamp conferences I have
attended, spoken and volunteered since 2011.
Learning is not conditional, it should be contagious and
continuous. There should be relevancy in applying what is
being learned to real world situations. Applied knowledge
can create change, the WordCamp community is not a selfish
community, it is based on a foundation of innovation,
creativity, imagination and sharing.
Diversity is valuable and inclusiveness is a continuous
learning process as more women are speaking and more people
of color such as myself (African American and male) and
Aida Correa (Afro-Latina and female) each of us is over
50 so generational circumstances are important too.
Involved in WordCampCR (Costa Rica) Central America
is an extension of the value of diversity in culture,
cultural understanding and cultural acceptance.
Even speaking and volunteering in Calgary, Canada at
WordCampYYC (Calgary, Alberta) Canada
The extension of the conference for WordCamp and Kids Camp
into Meetups held once or twice a month that encourages
interaction and collaboration. Learning has to be applied
to the crafts that are chosen, being accountable and
responsible for your knowledge and applying where it is
beneficial for growth.
The speakers at WordCamp conferences provide the
content, it is up to those attending to apply that
knowledge for their benefit and even the benefit
of their customers.
The dynamics of tech can only show change when effectively
applied and applied strategically. Owning our Brands is
owning our vision for what we want people to see and their
perceptions of what we present.
Encouraging youth, teens and young adults with their
parents to attend WordCamp and KidsCamp conferences
and along with monthly or bi-monthly Meetups.
WordCamp Central
https://central.wordcamp.org/
WordCamps are informal, community-organized
events that are put together by WordPress
users like you.
Everyone from casual users to core developers
participate, share ideas, and get to know each other.