Crafting high-quality civic technology — projects and tools designed withsocial impact in mind — requires thought, creativity, and intentionality — the strength to ask:
“Will this project actually have social impact? Is it being designed for the social/cultural/political context in which it will be implemented? And if not, what steps do we need to take and what people do we need to substantially involve to get there?”
Our approach to community-building in the name of civic tech should be the same.
In a recent case study, we review how open format models (like hackathons and unconferences) can be remixed and reinvented to encourage an outpouring of “non-traditional” engagement with civic tech without _alienating tech veterans. Our focus: The Tech Embassy, a a pop-up, interactive science fair for local tech and art that took place on May 3, 2014 during Washington, DC’s first-ever Funk Parade. (_Yes, that’s right: A “Funk Parade” with a civic tech agenda.)
In part 5 of our 6-part study, we explore structures from unconferences and other "unstructured" events that promote inclusion and ideation. Full text available here.
A snippet of The Tech Embassy. In this corner, you'll find live-coding maps and civic apps, DJ beats and tapping feet, 3D prints and policy advocacy, proud parents and laughter. Who's in charge? At this point, everyone. Photo by William McCann.
Part 5: Lead, But Be Leaderful
[Lessons from The Tech Embassy & DiscoTech]
Despite some earnest research in the earliest phases of our organizing, it wasn't until after the Funk Parade that we discovered that an event model super similar to the one we ended up developing was already in use in communities around the globe (and one that the Open Technology Institute itself has had a lot of involvement with in the past): DiscoTechs (AKA Discovering Technology).
DiscoTechs are a form of knowledge-sharing space managed and operated by and within a community where…
“…people can discover technology together, learn at their own pace, and learn from people who are accessible and understand the context of their neighborhoods and communities.”
Like The Tech Embassy, DiscoTechs use an open, science fair-like model that meshes a variety of media (from DJs to digital video) with the opportunity to collaboratively learn technology and tech skills. Behind the scenes on the organizing side, there’s a lot in common, too.
Top 4 principles wielded by The Tech Embassy and DiscoTechs that’ll keep you sane while managing an open format event:
1. Less is more. Sloppy can be good. The less produced your event feels, the more you ask for help (and can be explicit about what help you need), the more opportunity you give folks to step up to help and take ownership.
2. Distribute leadership. Good organizers play the role of first domino, not head honcho. Organize to create structures that make your role smaller over time by assigning leads to specific tasks or workflows (i.e. greeting visitors, managing the art wall, registration, etc). If the work is discrete, important, and easy-to-pick-up (v. vaguely described or heavy-handed), folks will self-select to take leadership. Let them. Reward those stepping up by being thankful, checking in on how they’re doing every once in a while, giving them the resources they need to rock, and by not micromanaging.
3. Be leaderful: Part two of the above. If you’re doing decentralized leadership right, the workflows that people can lead are things that more than one person understands or can get up to speed with quickly. Once someone is trained up with talking points, they can not only play the role of greeter, they can train others to help or cover for them. Making your team fluid in this way not only can help save you stress, but also adds to the authenticity of the “everyone can” environment.
4. Have fun. Seriously. If you and your ever-expanding, leaderful team aren't having fun, no one else will. Put on music. Make messy art. Play games. Start the dance party. Talk to strangers. You might not be the center of attention, but you’re part of the community you’re trying to activate. Be the fun you want to see in the world.
For more from this case study, check out these excerpts:
Part 1: Set Goals You Can Hold Yourself Accountable To
Part 2: Let Your Audience Dictate Your Design
Part 3: Structure Horizontally, Not Vertically
Part 4: To Increase Engagement, Play With The Familiar
Part 6: Final Thoughts: Build With, Not For
[Full Piece] So You Think You Want to Run A Hackathon? Think Again.
