Drumbeat/events/kit

The Drumbeat Local Event Kit is being created to aid local organizers in conceptualizing and planning their Drumbeat events.

The kit is being evolved and improved now, and we welcome organizers and other interested parties to tell us what it should include and what they need to support local organizing efforts.

Based on discussions to date, the kit will likely include:

• Event Kit Overview: An overview of what Drumbeat is and what's involved in organizing a Drumbeat Local event, along with an inventory of what's in the kit that explains the purpose of each component.

• Organizer Road Map: The Road Map will lay out key milestones in organizing a Drumbeat Local event on a theoretical calendar. Milestones will include venue identification, event announcement, call for participants and sessions, pre-event engagement, the event, and post-event follow-up.

• Step by Step Organizer Tips: For each of the milestones on the Road Map, step-by-step suggestions will be provided on how best to get the job done.

• [Sample Agendas and Sample Sessions][1]: While the agenda format and sessions will be shaped by local organizers and participants, sample one-day agendas and sample session topics and formats will be provided to give agenda planning a lift.

• Facilitation Guidelines: In parallel with the sample agendas, these guidelines for how to run the actual event will provide organizers with ideas on how to make the event participatory and tactile.

• Boilerplate Promotional Copy: Sample copy for announcing the event and doing outreach will be provided, along with helpful hints for how to promote the event and get media coverage.

• Logistical Resources: At the nuts and bolts level, covered logistical issues will include:
  • Guidelines for selecting an appropriate venue
  • How to find free or low-cost meeting space
  • Sample lunch and snack menues
  • How to find free or low-cost food
  • Internet access check-list
  • Accessibility check list
  • Sample registration confirmation messages
  • Planning tips for any post-event festivities

• Documentation and Sharing Instructions: Step-by-step instructions on how to document and share the results of local events back out to the larger Drumbeat Community.

• Drumbeat Project Instructions: Complete details on how to propose a new Drumbeat project, or join an existing one.

• Post-Event Collaboration Ideas: In order for Drumbeat to truly scale, local events will need to sustain energy and interest after the event date. A list of ideas for post-event collaboration will aid organizers in keeping the momentum going.