May 2024 Retreat for Tech for Good Organisers Network
Retreat Theme: Tech for Just and Regenerative Futures
Do you organise a Tech for Good group, or would like to? Would you like to meet other organisers and learn from each other? Are you looking for inspiration and support? Are you wondering what sorts of online tools would help you manage your groups? Would like to find like-minded folks to collaborate with?
If any of the above sound interesting to you, come along to our May 2024 Retreat in London! It’s an all-expenses* covered unconference-style peer-learning event where you can meet and learn from other Tech for Good group organisers.
What’s a Tech for Good group organiser?
To us, “tech for good” is the intentional use of technology to drive positive outcomes for people and planet. There are many subsets to this, for instance:
you support charities to implement technology in a ‘tech surgery’ type event,
you run an ethical AI meetup
you run a group which champions tech justice
you run a community of tech for good enthusiasts on slack
you hold meetups to inspire tech for good innovation
What’s the Retreat about?
Our retreats are an in-person events which allow Tech for Good organisers to meet, learn and collaborate.
This retreat is an unconference-style event, which means you can bring your own projects and questions to share and discuss. We especially encourage conversations on our theme: "just and regenerative futures".
Previously we’ve had sessions about:
Digital tools for community organising
AI for social good
Data mapping
Care-based design
Open Source solutions
Open data modelling
And much more!
It’s also a lovely chance to meet a wonderful group of organisers who centre care and collaboration in our work.
Theme: Just and Regenerative Futures
How can Tech for Good communities centre justice and care in our work? How do we shift power in tech? Where does Tech Justice fit into the Tech landscape? How do we create or use technology in a way which is restorative rather than extractive?
As we face multiple challenges - climate change, increasing divides between rich and poor, a cost of living crisis, - how can we grow Tech communities which help make the world a better place?
This theme is really an open invitation to explore these questions and more in relation to the communities, groups, and/or events you organise.
Still not sure what this means? Here are some suggested readings:
Typical Agenda
Saturday 18 May
10:00 - 10:30 - Arrival, Tea & Coffee
10:30 - 11:00 - Welcome, Intro and guide to the space
11:00 - 13:00 - Open Sessions
13:00 - 14:00 - Lunch (Community meal)
14:00 - 14:30 - Walk & Talk or quiet co-working space
14:30 - 16:00 - Open sessions
16:00 - 16:30 - Break, Tea & Coffee
16:30 - 17:30 - Open sessions
17:30 - 18:00 - Closing & Tidy Up
18:15 - 20:00 - Dinner (Community meal)
20:30 - late - Social at Newspeak House
Accommodation can be provided for Friday and Saturday night, if attendees would like. This would be single rooms at a nearby hotel.
We can also provide a creche and support with childcare costs. Please let us know in the sign up form.
How much does it cost?
It's FREE!
We can cover almost all expenses, including accommodation, transport to and from the venue, meals and venue hire costs. We also cover access support costs.
Access needs
The venues we choose will have step-free access and an accessible toilet. There will also be a quiet room.
Please let us know of any other access needs you may have to attend the event, and we’ll be in touch very soon.
About the Tech for Good Organisers Network
We are a community for ‘tech for good’ organisers across the UK and Ireland. We work together to share best practice, support one another, and help ensure that tech for good communities can thrive. If you already run a tech for good community, or want to set one up, then join us.
As leaders of tech for good communities, we aim to keep our networks sustainable and effective. We would also love to see new communities emerge and grow the tech for good movement.