In thinking about how to structure our retreats, we recognized that most of the expertise and wisdom at RA comes from our attendees. To that end, we model our retreats in the style of an unConference. This format invites attendees to bring something, offer something, to take some ownership in co-creating, and to engage as a participant, not just as a spectator. Sound familiar?
How does it work? Frankly, few of us have attended an unConference. But here’s our rough sketch of how this tends to fly well:
- You arrive with ideas – a topic or question to discuss, a skill-share to offer, maybe an activity.
- At some point on the first day, we’ll all write all our ideas on big post-its and stick them on the wall.
- Through the rest of the evening, we look over all the ideas and add our name to anything we’d like to attend.
- Before breakfast, the organizers will place the ideas into a grid of times and locations. We prioritize the ones with the most interest and we try to keep popular events from conflicting.
- After breakfast, look at the grid to see which events are happening where at what time. Go participate where you want!
To support the creative process, we put a tab on the retreat spreadsheets where you can start adding ideas. Got an idea? ANY idea? ADD IT! You don’t have to volunteer to lead it, you can just put it up there and ask for assistance. Things have a way of coming together.
Some examples of events that people have really enjoyed at past retreats:
| improv workshops | morning yoga | negotiating touch | needle play |
| CorrupTED | paper telephone | mush separator | pole dancing |
| quiet reading | breaking apples | rope bondage | topic discussions |
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Tips for attendees lifted straight from unConference:
- Go with the flow – The intention of the retreat is to make space for attendees to interact and connect with each other.
- Follow your passion – Go participate in the stuff that interest you!
- Take responsibility for your experience – If there’s something you’re really interested in, you’re probably the right person to add it to the list!
Tips for creating and leading events:
- You hold the space for the event you lead (by leading discussion, by asking the first question, etc.) Be the shepherd – stay visible, be involved as necessary, be a beacon of (relative) sanity.
- Ask for help if you need it! You might, for example, put an event on the board that you’re passionate about while knowing it would be better if someone else facilitates.
- Don’t assume people in the room know more, or less, than you do.
- If only two people participate in your event, those two people share your interest.
- You don’t have to “fill” your time. If the group has finished interacting in 15 minutes, the session can end.
- Likewise, no pressure to only take the time allotted. If you’re not able to stay where you are, move to another area or post “Part 2” for the next day.
- Think about ideas for your event. But don’t feel as though you need to prepare a great deal.
- Be Brave! Others are interested in making your session work!