Don’t go to conferences – Go to OxfordJam
From 10-12 April the social enterprise unconference par excellance OxfordJam sets up camp on the fringes of the Skoll World Forum. Organiser Richard Brownsdon explains what makes it unique
Have you been to any conferences this year? If you have, how was it? The same old talks and topics, a couple of business cards swapped then home early?
Or maybe it was more than that. Maybe...
- The topics were chosen by the participants
- The sessions were open ended questions
- You were treated like an adult, and asked for your contribution to make the event a success
- The most important conversations happened in the corridors between the organised parts?
I'm asking you because these are some of the guiding principles behind one of my favourite events of the year – OxfordJam.
OxfordJam is the Social Enterprise Un-conference. It may have started in 2010 as a fringe event to the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship, but now it’s taken on a life and destiny of it’s own.
While the Skoll World Forum does pull in amazing social entrepreneurs from around the world, the $1100 ticket prices don’t make it accessible to all. And since OxfordJam has been, and will always continue to be, free to attend, it’s about as accessible as it gets.
This makes it perfect for all members of the #SocEnt community. From the experienced Skoll World Forum attendees, aspiring new social entrepreneurs, and students with big dreams, to all the social enterprise support services that help them achieve their aims.
2011 was the first year I attended. I’d recently finished working at Social Enterprise investment specialist, ClearlySo. It was wonderful to be inspired and encouraged by the people I met, and I found out about a contract going at UnLtd, that I was subsequently offered. I absorbed all the information that I could, and met connections that I’m still friends with today. A couple that spring to mind include Amanda Feldman, who now works at Volans, and Mike Mompi, who has recently joined my old team at ClearlySo.
In 2012, after I’d taken a global voyage around the world, promoting sustainability and social enterprise on Peace Boat, I joined the official OxfordJam events team, and helped to run the main theatre. I would say we did an excellent job of organising chaos. In between my theatre responsibilities, I was able to spend time talking with social enterprise travel specialists, that helped me launch my own project, called Inspiring Adventures.
The event was twice as big as 2011, and we were in our new venue – The Old Fire Station, which its self is a social enterprise, and houses the charity Crisis Café.
OxfordJam has been doubling in attendance every year since it started. If we continue at this exponential growth rate, it will only take 23 years before the entire population of the world is attending! Better come before it gets that busy.
This is 2013, and I’m back on the events team. We're bigger, badder, and better organised than ever before.
What does that mean for you?
- More chances to make connections that can help your career
- More advice and support to help you get your social enterprise going
- More time for fun at the cabaret!
What’s the cabaret? One of highlights in my opinion, showcasing some of the best hidden talent in social enterprise sector, from band performances to stand up comedy – an evening not to be missed!
So book your accommodation, and register now – it’s free! And don’t forget to join the online event app - and start to plan some of your serendipity for this year.