Following on from last year's informal feedback event when half a dozen delegates to Nottingham with minimal prompting got up and shared with each other what they had got from the conference and particular sessions that had inspired them I decided to organise a more structured event this year. I was particularly taken with the enthusiasm of newcomers and felt this really was worth sharing to a larger audience and could be a useful recruitment tool. So it has proved- as enthusiam generates more enthusiam - so I thought I'd share the recipe for success.
Preparation - "persuade" delegates from your institution to prepare a paragraph (Max A4 report) on a session that they want to share and warn them that they must be prepared to stand up and share their experience with others -50% of our attendees agreed. If anyone can't attend ask them for a quote to put up on a powerpoint presentation. Ask each member to bring some colleagues from their immediate area or their line manager if they want to show them the wider benefits of attendance at the conference (and thus get supported in future years!).
Take - One room set out cabaret style with tables holding 8, tell all gathered that its a very informal event, the main purpose being to network and provide an opportunity for those who attended the conference to share what they brought back from it with colleagues . Provide as a background "floor show" an overview of the York experience , the structure of the conference, who went from your institution (group photo from Gala Dinner) and a flavour of the highlights ( or lowlights - like in our case being beaten on the last round at the quiz!) to get a feel for the experience. Prepare slides giving the details from the conference brochure on each of the sessions that folk have agreed to feedback on - plus the quotes from those unable/unwilling to speak - but put them up in a random way so that no one knows who is speaking next - so can't get too worried about if its them! As "their" slide for the session comes prompt the person feeding back to state their name, position in the organisation, how many years they have been an AUA member and how many conferences they have attended.
Place at least one AUA member on each table and add a good buffet so everyone has to get up and mingle. As "their slide" comes up each person feeding back just stands up and holds the floor for a couple of minutes.
Sprinkle AUA branch membership with non members and allow anyone to chip in with contributions if they attended the same session or ask questions so it has a free flow.
Sit back and watch the whole thing come together (all you have to do is press the next slide when the discussion has ended).
Serve with a liberal dose of Get connected brochures on each table and include a session on the PG Cert feedback at the end so a plug for participants and mentors can be added if desired.
Enjoy - It really works - the mix of preparation and informality gives a good impression of the value of attending the conference and brings it to life with a varied and very human, more local touch, and relatively new members can then network with those who attended sessions that interested them to find out more. I've had very positive feedback from all who attended which makes it very worthwhile.
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