Holding an Unconference for the Southern Trial Lawyer's Fall Retreat
Next Thursday, I’ll be going to the Fall Retreat for the Southern Trial Lawyer’s Association. Howard Spiva and I were talking about the open space ‘unconference’ that Matt Homann and Dennis Kennedy used at BlawgThink! in Chicago last October. I was very impressed with ‘unconference’ structure and Howard said “Let’s give it a shot”.
I did some research and found more about unconferences and posted it here: Designing a Better Conference. Here’s a little excerpt:
- Whoever comes is the right people.
- Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.
- Whenever it starts is the right time.
- When it is over, it is over.
- Finally we come to the One Law of Open Space. The Law of Two Feet. Every individual has two feet, and must be prepared to use them. Responsibility for a successful outcome in any Open Space Event resides with exactly one person -- each participant. Individuals can make a difference and must make a difference.
It will be interesting to see how it turns out and a lot of fun. I’ll let people know what happens.
Sounds exciting. Can't wait to hear how it goes. I do question whether a group of trial lawyers will take to the concept as well as a group of techie attorneys. But, would it not be great to have a conference for lawyers that is not so boring you fall asleep or spend the time checking and responding to emails on your Treo. Which is exactly what I did yesterday at a District Bench/Bar CLE. As a "participant" in such an event, you don't have to do anything but sit there on your butt and pretend to listen. It would be great to actually participate.
How do you get that accredited for CLE? They usually want to see the structure, speakers, and agenda.
Brian,
That's a good point. So far, I've only seen it at conferences where the CLE wasn't much of an issue.
I would *think* if you could tell them the structure and what you were going to do, it *might* qualify.
However, I think a lot of it depends on how you structure the agenda and make it sound to the accrediting body.
That being said, certain states are more lenient with technical programs (PowerPoint, Sanction training) or business programs (time management, practice management)... other states are stricter.
It's my impression that South Carolina is a bit more lenient as long as there is learning and beneficial education for the lawyer.
But that's a bridge I haven't crossed yet.
