Posts filed under 'Updates'
I’ve just finished four exciting days at the OECD World Forum in Turkey, and wanted to make sure I had posted before I got on the plane to return. (Also, there have been some intermittent problems with accessing the blog which appear to have been caused by our hosting provider.)
BarCamps are part of an international network of “unconferences“. They are open, participatory workshop-events, whose content is provided by participants. Many focus on early-stage web applications, and related open source technologies and social protocols. The name is a playful allusion to its origins, with reference to the hacker slang term “Foo Bar“. The BarCamp movement arose as a spin-off from Foo Camp, an annual invitation-only unconference hosted by open source publishing leader, Tim O’Reilly.
BarCampBank events are organized internationally to foster innovation in banking, credit unions, and finance. BarCampBankSeattle will be sixth BarCampBank event and the first held in the United States.
What to expect
In Open Space, a facilitator explains the process and then participants are invited to co-create the agenda and host their own discussion groups. Discussions are held in designated areas or separate rooms known as ‘breakout spaces’ and participants are free to move amongst the discussion groups. Each group records the conversations in a form which can be used to distribute or broadcast the proceedings of the meeting (in hard copy, blog, podcast, video, etc). Each morning participants have the opportunity to announce new discussion topics / late-breaking sessions. At the end of the day the full group reconvenes for comments and reflection. This helps participants to re-engage in the full group over the duration of the meeting.
While the mechanics of Open Space provide a simple means to self-organize, it is the underlying principles that make it effective. The Law of Two Feet expresses the core idea of taking responsibility for what you love. In practical terms, the law says that if you’re neither contributing nor getting value where you are, use your two feet (or available form of mobility) and go somewhere where you can. It is also a reminder to stand up for your passion. From the law, flow four simple principles:
- Whoever comes are the right people
- Whatever happens is the only thing that could have
- Whenever it starts is the right time
- When it’s over, it’s over
What will happen
We never know exactly what will happen when we open the space for people to do their most important work, but we can guarantee these results when any group gets into Open Space:
- All of the issues that are MOST important to the participants will be raised.
- All of the issues raised will be addressed by those participants most qualified and capable of getting something done on each of them.
- All of the most important ideas, discussion, data, recommendations, conclusions, questions for further study, and plans for immediate action will be documented in one comprehensive report — finished, printed and in the hands of participants when they leave.
- The total contents of this report document can be focused and prioritized in a matter of a few hours.
- After the event, all of these results will be made publicly available, so the conversation can invite every stakeholder into discussion and implantation — right now.
When & Where
- Dates: July 21st - 22nd, 2007
- Location: Still being decided
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on both days will be available, along with beverages and snacks.
- Costs: We invite sponsorship from interested organizations, and will ask for participants to contribute $35.
- People and organizations interested in in sponsoring this event should contact Jesse Robbins.
How to sign-up & get involved
- Add your name to the participant list on this page
- Write and Blog about this event, and forward it on to people you think would be interested.
Confused? Need Help or an explanation?
Please email Jesse Robbins or call +1.206.755.3739. I’m here to help you participate!
June 30th, 2007
We’ve started organizing BarCampBankSeattle, which will probably be the first US BarCampBank meeting. A sign-up form and more information will be posted to the wiki and discussed in the BarCampBank group.
A BarCamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from participants.
BarCampBank is a community organized around the following mission:
The aim of BarCampBank is to foster innovations and the creation of new business models in the world of banking and finance.
Here’s an article about “unconferences” like BarCamp in BusinessWeek: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_20/b4034080.htm
May 14th, 2007
It’s been a while, and so I wanted to send out a quick update on what’s been happening with the project.
Recent updates:
- I spoke about the project at the IgnitionNW Town Hall Meeting on March 26th and made two important announcements:
- The first group in our Field of Membership will be IgnitionNW.
- I’m building a technology platform to create and operate Credit Unions like Black Rock Federal. (There will be more about this soon!)
- I also had an outstanding meeting with Carmen Mauk of Burners without Borders, who is taking BWB in some exciting directions.
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Upcoming:
- I’m sending our revised Field-of-Membership to the NCUA on Friday.
On Saturday I’m flying to San Francisco to help Brady run the Ignite Event @ the Web2.0 Expo in San Francisco. (Justin.tv will be there and presenting, so you might be able to see it live… and from a speakers perspective!)- I might be speaking at the Web2.0 Expo as well (check my personal blog if you want to know more)
Next Update: Friday, April 20th
April 11th, 2007
The great folks at blip.tv posted the video from my talk at Ignite Seattle I and of course I have a few updates, corrections, retractions, and denials from the event.
- I was, in fact, drunk when I wrote and presented this talk. I feel the need to state for the record that this event was held in a bar which didn’t have food and I’m I lightweight because I don’t drink that often. So… moving on…
- I was wrong about Credit Union capitalization.
- The Open Space Technology (OST) conference where we will write our charter and figure out how we will implement it is currently scheduled for April 7th, 2007. More details will be posted soon!
- My talk mentions Jonah Burke’s presentation on the Darfur Wall project. Donate!
- The OpenSourceCU folks aren’t creating technology yet, but their sponsor Trabien is a technology company serving credit unions.
December 19th, 2006
Just a quick note to let everybody know we filed our proposed Field of Membership with the NCUA today. Our Field of Membership defines the community we are legally permitted to serve. There are numerous regulations about who and how a credit union can define it’s “Common Bond”, and we hope we’ve defined ours accordingly.
As always, comments, questions and feedback are requested and encouraged!
December 15th, 2006
What was wrong?
I said that Credit Unions were able to loan out $16 for every $1 in member deposits, because they have a 6% capitalization requirement. I confused Credit Union capitalization ratios with banking Cash Reserve Ratios, and didn’t find out until I spoke with a gentleman from the NCUA today.
Credit Union loans are backed by member shares, and the Credit Unions are required to keep a reserve in excess of this amount. This reserve is the capitalization requirement.
Banks do operate this way, and as I asserted in my talk, generate significant profit from loans they are able make loaning out more money then they have on deposit.
What does this mean?
It means that we have less “upside” (in the form of interest) to use than we originally hoped.
We will still create a non-profit, member owned, member driven, community financial institution. We will still empower our community, offer great financial services, and use our resources to change the world.
There are now 10 passionate people directly involved this project, and our understanding is constantly growing. We are beginning to find mentors in Credit Union community, and have started the chartering process with the NCUA.
Thanks again for your continued trust and support for our community!
Sincerely,
-Jesse Robbins
Want to get involved? Email us at organizers at blackrockfederal.com.
December 12th, 2006
My explanation of credit union capital reserve requirements was wrong, and I’m working on a detailed correction and explanation.
Your trust and belief in this important project is what will determine it’s success, and I appreciate your support and understanding.
I’ll post an update by 8PM PST.
Sincerely,
Jesse Robbins
December 12th, 2006
