Burn After Meeting 2023 was held Nov 4–5 at the Sonesta Hotel in downtown Denver CO USA. A total of 73 people attended, representing 15 regional-burn orgs, also including a few unaffiliated people and people from BMORG. The schedule consisted of 4 time slots per day, 90 minutes per session, with 3 sessions in parallel, […]
In the interest of transparency, I am posting a record of BAM 2023 transactions. In brief: $10474.73 credits, $14391.06 debits, net -$3916.33.
Bookkeeping statement posted Read More »
A presentation of the findings of the 2022 official Regional Event Afterburns and Regional Contact ARRRs (Annual Regional Recap Reports), which gives a sense of collective impact in the world our kind of gatherings have, common challenges and strengths. Can also touch upon the 25 To Thrive Regional Network Evolution Project and allow time for open discussion.
State of the Regional Network Presentation and Discussion Read More »
Our events can’t happen without volunteers, but keeping track of them can be a challenge. Learn about how software can help.
Several regional events now use an open-source volunteer database built by burners to help keep track of who is volunteering at their events. In this session we’ll be showing off all the features of the PlayaSoft Volunteer Database and discussing how Apogaea and other regionals use their volunteer database.
Volunteers can sign up for shifts online before the event starts, allowing event coordinators and department leads to know who will be volunteering and when. This is critical for determining which departments need additional support in the time leading up to the event.
During the event, the Volunteer Database can also be used to generate printable reports for shift leads to keep track of who is supposed to show up. After the event, additional reports can be run to keep track of who showed up for their volunteer shifts and who didn’t.
Cat Herding: The Art of Volunteer Management Read More »
We’ve had discussions about whether Burning Man is political, but have we thought about how Burning Man’s ethos of “NO SPECTATORS” can be applied to politics?
Let’s discuss how we can be better participants civically, and work at the local level to protect burns (and the burner way of life). This will be mostly centered around US politics, but you are welcome to expand the conversation if you are an international attendee.
Note: This is NOT a discussion about political parties. This is aimed at encouraging more participation at all levels–from your local dog-catcher to a national-level position.
Participate in Politics Read More »
BAM, BAM. Wulff. We are trying to reach Somesuch but aren’t getting a response on the radio. Could you swing by their camp for a face2face?
Allcon Allcon. If you aren’t actively using your radio for a shift the rest of the day please return them to dispatch.
Allcon Allcon. Please do the “town crier” bit and inform everyone that the storm is bearing down on us.
Allcon Allcon. Has anyone seen the Ice golf cart?
Quartermaster. Quartermaster. Safety. Where’d we put the thing that time we did the other thing?
Its 2023. Welcome to burns, one of the most oddly dystopian subcultures. We take thousands upon thousands of dollars of high tech equipment into an area with little to no cell reception and do our best to cobble together stable on site communication systems that ignore the advances of modern technology.
It’s a burn, who wants to be tethered to their phone? But our radio, that’s cool right? Oh and you may still carry your phone cause its handy for notes, and documents, and maps. But you aren’t required to. And them radios? They’re expensive. And the communication is wide open, so make sure no one is saying things they shouldn’t.
Where is all of the equipment? When was the last time someone inventories all the things? Crap, where’d that box get put during load out.
Are we doing this right yet? Is there a right? What are our options? What exactly are we even solving for? What crazy theories do you have?
Roundtable: Onsite Technology—Why are we burning like it’s 1986? Read More »
Let’s talk about the people who make our all-volunteer events go. Pitter Patter will facilitate a group discussion, including topics like:
Roundtable: “Leadership Lifecycle”—Nurturing, Supporting, Planning Read More »
I’m sure we’ve all encountered this situation. Bad actors, Sexual Predators, Repeated violence, or even domestic disputes.
How do we keep our communities safe but also keep being radically inclusive?
What can we do to reintegrate the ones that deserve redemption?
I don’t have the answers, but I’m sure we all have a lot of questions and ideas.
Let’s get together and round table discuss this.
Roundtable: Keeping our communities safe, Excluding members from community events Read More »
From monthly dinners to maker spaces, how can we support community that supports our events?
What are some types of burner community hubs? What are the advantages and pitfalls?
How do we create, support and evolve our community spaces outside of events?
Roundtable: Community Hubs – Making and Maintaining Year-Round Connections Read More »
Join us for an engaging exploration at the intersection of servant leadership and the transformative principles of Burning Man. In this session, we delve into how these philosophies, often seen as unconventional, can come together to create a powerful framework for positive cultural change. Discover real-world examples of organizations and initiatives that have successfully blended these principles, leaving a lasting impact. Additionally, we encourage open dialogue and idea-sharing, inviting participants to envision innovative applications in their own communities. Be part of this collaborative journey as we inspire positive change through servant leadership and the Burning Man ethos, proving that together, we can light the way towards a better world.
Burning Bright: Servant Leadership and the Power of Community Read More »
