#IslandGovCamp 2012

Friday 25 - Sunday 27 May 2012
Kirkwall, Orkney (and on the internet)

It will be possible to follow along *and* participate remotely, as we will be streaming as much of the event as possible onto the internet as video and/or audio.

For full information, please follow these links:

• Event webpage
• Eventbrite registration page
  (please register here if you intend to travel to Orkney for the event: travel advice and a travel sharing map is available; see also VisitOrkney)
• Suggest your ideas for IslandGovCamp sessions (and comment/vote on the ideas of others)
• Twitter
• Facebook
   

What is IslandGovCamp? It is a self organised unconference for people who work in and around government in islands, wherever they may be (including the big one with Cardiff, Edinburgh, and London on it); and for anyone with connections to islands, however tenuous. Also, an opportunity for visitors to Orkney to see puffins!

Why do we need to raise funds for IslandGovCamp? The core costs of hiring a venue for the afternoon of Sat 26 May, and the morning of Sun 27 May, and of providing lunches on both those days to around 40 people will be approximately £1,200. With various other costs (including a couple of very straightforward social events for those attending in person, the costs of live streaming the event, and ancillary costs), the total required is in the region of £3,000. Apart from the core costs above, we also aim (if we raise enough funding) to pay reasonable out-of-pocket expenses to those who are assisting significantly in organising the event; this might include travel expenses within Orkney (and from elsewhere to Orkney). These expenses are expected to be a small proportion of the costs of the event, and will only be paid subject to approval (and on the production of receipts). This www.Sponsume.com page is to provide an opportunity for individuals who support our aims to contribute.

Who is behind IslandGovCamp? The event is being organised by Sweyn Hunter on behalf of the Orkney ICT Forum, a loose association of social media and technical people in Orkney. Several others (in Orkney and beyond) are assisting. All administrative, organisational and other effort towards IslandGovCamp is on a voluntary, unpaid basis.

What support have we had so far? We are grateful to have recieved sponsorship (either in money or in kind) or support from

• UKGovCamp
• University of the Highlands and Islands, Library and Information Services,
• John Popham
• Cisco
• Socitm
• Orkney Islands Council
  (including Orkney Library and Archive, Marine Services and IT & Support Services)
• Dragon History
• Magnetic North Films
• ... and others 

What will IslandGovCamp be about? Anything those attending (in person or over the internet) want it to be about, there are already some ideas online - register and take part in the discussion! It is likely that this will include consideration of practical ways of using readily available and low-cost technology in sustaining and developing the provision of services (public, third sector and private sector) in an island context.

Who will attend? Anyone who would like to! If you are planning to attend in person in Kirkwall, you either live in Orkney already, or you will have invested a significant amount of time (and probably a few 100 ££) to get here, and find a room to sleep in for a couple of nights. Thank you! If you are attending online by following the live streams and interacting on twitter (we aim to offer additional methods of remote attendance, too), you may not have to travel very far at all, although you are unlikely to see puffins and will have to provide your own lunches!

What happens if we raise too much money for #IslandGovCamp 2012? If we end up with a surplus (which does not look very likely at the moment!) we will hold any monies over to be used towards funding future, similar events in Orkney, or in other islands.

What if I want to find out more? Check out the links above, or send tweet us! If you would like to send email, please contact OrkneyICT Forum, and your message will be delivered by email.