How should we structure the next event? There's lot's of different ways to organize Net2sdays, but I think it's clear the majority of people are more interested -- to use Scott Allen's words -- "Doing more and talking less."  To that end, we'd like all Net2sday members to take ownership of shaping the future of this group.  You can do that today by helping to inform the best event format you'd like us to pursue.

If nothing below floats your boat, pls suggest other format ideas by sending me an email billybicket@yahoo.com. 

 

Below, find a number of ways to approach the event format.

 

1. Networking + Speakers.  

The first Net Tuesday Austin was a great example of this model.  Typically, the first hour is an open networking space where people drink and be merry.  After an hour of getting to know people, the organizer introduces (2) or (3) speakers who share how they're developing new solutions to problems that affect us all in 15-20 minute increments.  Each talk is followed by a 10 minute Q&A with the audience.

 

2. Challenge Model (American Idol for Pro-Social Projects) .

Develop a platform for publishing ideas for accelerating constructive social change projects through the utilization of Web 2.0 tools and technology.  NetSquared has hosted challenges including N2Y2 and N2Y3 as well as joint ventures with partner organizations and corporations such as the Case Foundation and Network for Good and Yahoo! Green resulting in the distribution of over $220,000 in awards, as well as additional resources from Developer communities at Sun, Google, Yahoo! and others.  The focus remains: (a) Recruiting great Projects (b) Connecting Projects to appropriate resources (c) Highlighting the best Projects as models for the rest of the world

Feel free to check out the Challenges and Awards Overview page to see past and current challenges and awards open to the NetSquared Community.  To submit a new idea to the Project Gallery please register and log in.

 

3. Pimp My Project. 

Ripped from the successful MTV show, this model gives citizens an opportunity to contribute their skills, resources, services to a particular project identified by the group.  Check-out how D.C. Net Tuesday folks work this model here.

 

4. Speed Geek.

A tongue-in-cheek rip off of the speed dating concept, SpeedGeeking offers a fully immersive approach to meeting people ... and learning about web sites, software tools and ideas participants are working on.

 

5. Kiva for Pro-Social Projects.

Imagine if citizens everywhere had an opportunity to lend local projects the funding they need to move their vision forward? 

Check-out the Kiva web-site for examples of this innovative approach to overcoming the hurldes of traditional fund-raising. 

 

6. BarCamp Model.  Tara Hunt's organizing a SuperHero Camp in Houston in October.  Check-it here.