tags to use : barcampbangalore7 and barcampbangalore; follow BCB7 Twitter Updates

From BarcampBangalore

Use this template to invite participants to Barcamp. This text is intended for invitees unfamiliar with the concept.

Template

Subject: Invitation to Barcamp Bangalore 3

Dear [Person],

I'd like to invite you to Barcamp Bangalore 3, an open event for technology enthusiasts to be held at IIMB on March 31st and April 1st, 2007.

Barcamps are egalitarian events where we do not differentiate between speakers and audience and do not have a pre-defined agenda. Everyone is regarded equally as a participant and all participants are welcome to discuss any topic they like. Participation is open to all.

Such ad hoc organisation is made possible by the web. We maintain a wiki, a website anyone may edit, at www.barcampbangalore.org, where participants list the topics they'd like to discuss with other participants. The discussion schedule for both days is drawn up each morning at the venue itself, based on spaces and time-slots available and the session proposer's estimate of expected turnout.

Barcamp is a worldwide movement of such events. We have organised two in Bangalore in 2006, both of which were extremely successful, drawing participants from far and wide. Some participants flew in from around the world.

For this event, we're attempting to expand beyond core technology discussions by seeking involvement from people working at the interface between technology and society. We'd like to have a session on [session name], and hence [note on person's experience] will make your presence invaluable. Past experience suggests that the turnout for this event will be about 250 participants. As this will be a diverse audience with possibly little exposure to the workings of government and e-governance (replace with note on proposed session), we'd like to start with a general discussion of what is being done and move on to more involved discussions based on what you and other participants would like to discuss. The primary intent is to expand understanding for all participants. You are not required to prepare a presentation as we prefer keeping the space informal, but we will have a projector available.

The venue will have free catering for breakfast and lunch on both days, with costs picked up by sponsors. To help plan logistics, we require all participants to register on the website. I can do this for you. The website also has an explanation for where the name "Barcamp" comes from when there is neither a bar nor camping involved.

Looking forward to having you as a participant.

[Sign off]