I've raised the hope that the Backdrop community might work with a local Drupal camp or two this year to host a Backdrop CMS Mini-Camp at/alongside a Drupal Camp. I'm proposing that we consider this for Twin Cities Drupal Camp 2019.

My idea is that the Backdrop Mini Camp would happen on training/summit day and not conflict directly with the Drupal Camp sessions. Unlike Backdrop trainings in the past, the mini camp would be a full day of Backdrop sessions offered by different presenters. It would likely only be a single track of sessions and I don't expect it would attract more than 10-15 participants (but, we would hope for more).

Responsibility for programming and promotion for the mini camp would be with the Backdrop community. The only real responsibility for the TCDrupal Camp committee, would be to provide the venue and logistics (including registration).

Here is a link to the Backdrop CMS discussion of this idea:
https://github.com/backdrop-ops/backdropcms.org/issues/503

Tasks:

1) Decide if we are willing to partner with Backdrop community to offer such an event as part of our camp this year? DONE

Comments

stpaultim created an issue. See original summary.

stpaultim’s picture

stpaultim CreditAttribution: stpaultim as a volunteer commented
Parent issue: » #3038149: [META] Programming - Content and Format
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stpaultim CreditAttribution: stpaultim as a volunteer commented
Assigned: Unassigned » stpaultim
minneapolisdan’s picture

minneapolisdan CreditAttribution: minneapolisdan as a volunteer commented

I'm not opposed to Backdrop, but given our focus and values around promoting Drupal, I'd be hesitant to devote much camp resources to this. I think a single session around it would be enough, given this and also the number of people currently involved with Backdrop locally.

stpaultim’s picture

stpaultim CreditAttribution: stpaultim as a volunteer commented

@minneapolisdan - It's a fair comment. However, I'm hoping to better understand your concern/issue.

The only current resource that is being requested is a single room on training day (pending decision on how we handle training day), similar to what we've offered the last couple of years. It's not clear to me, if you would consider this "much" resources?

Would you have the same concern over offering a Backdrop training at camp this year? Or is there something about a "mini-camp" that feels different to you.

I understand that in the past, we have offered scholarship money to Backdrop trainers. I feel like that is a different issue and should be handled separately. The proposal to collaborate with the Backdrop community on a Mini Camp does not assume any scholarship money.

jerdavis’s picture

jerdavis
Location Minneapolis, MN
CreditAttribution: jerdavis commented

I think that Backdrop is a different animal given it's origins and founders. It's not just that I like Jen and Nate, I do, but the project does offer a legitimate path forward for some developers and organizations that had pursued Drupal but for whatever reason are unable to move on to Drupal 8.

Given our history of supporting them with offering them session time, a training space and other assistance, combined with the history the project has with our community in particular, I personally think it's appropriate to continue that support.

I like the concept of a mini camp and think that could draw more interest than just a training.

stpaultim’s picture

stpaultim CreditAttribution: stpaultim as a volunteer commented

@jerdavis, @minneapolisdan, and myself discussed this issue at Happy Hour tonight.

So far, I've not heard any outright opposition to this idea. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the cost of hosting a Backdrop Mini Camp. The general consensus seems to be that we would likely be willing to provide space at the camp on training day (unless we change the format of camp), however we are not able to commit to any additional financial resources to a Backdrop Mini Camp at this time (scholarships, etc).

The next steps are:

1) To continue to discuss the idea and gather feedback/input locally and from potential participants.
2) Continue discussions with the Backdrop CMS team regarding details.
3) Explore the possibility of attracting a sponsor to help offset costs.

Several members of the TCDrupal planning committee will be at Midcamp in two weeks and have the opportunity to meet with several members of the Backdrop CMS community to discuss this further.

mtift’s picture

mtift
he/him
Primary language English
Location Minnesota, USA
CreditAttribution: mtift at Lullabot commented

I don't have strong feelings either way. This seems to raise multiple issues:

1. Should Backdrop sessions be at a Drupal event? BADCamp and other Drupal camps say yes. Others say no. We've had Backdrop sessions and trainings at previous TCDCs, so that doesn't seem to be an issue for us.

2. If yes, how much of the Drupal event should be Backdrop? Going from training and sessions to a "mini camp," doesn't seem like a huge difference. I don't have any problem with the idea of a Backdrop mini camp at TCDC. It doesn't seem like it causes any problems.

3. What resources should be committed to the mini camp? The description of this issue says "Responsibility for programming and promotion for the mini camp would be with the Backdrop community," so time investment doesn't seem to be a significant issue.

4. Would this mini camp detract from or add to TCDC? I can't really see how it would detract, unless we were forced to have fewer sessions at TCDC. In fact I can imagine it would bring in more people that might not otherwise come, especially if the Backdrop community promotes it widely. When I did some interviews on my podcast, I think I remember people saying that there were not really many in-person Backdrop events, so this mini camp could be an extra draw for TCDC if we embraced it. On the other hand, if we have any concerns about budget, this could be a risk.

stpaultim’s picture

stpaultim CreditAttribution: stpaultim as a volunteer commented
Component: Program » Planning

Just a quick update to let folks know that we had meetings with Jen Lampton at Midcamp to discuss what a mini-camp would look like and some of the logistics.

Here are a few take-aways:

1) While there are no guarantees, there is excitement in the Backdrop community for this event and they will actively promote it. We expect that there are people who will travel to TCDrupal camp for this event, but it's hard to predict how many.
2) The Backdrop community is looking for individuals or companies that will sponsor TCDrupal camp as means of showing their support for Backdrop. No commitments have been made other than to reach out and make an effort at bringing in at least some sponsorship dollars.
3) The Backdrop community will handle all of the programming and promotions for the event.
4) We are hoping to get the sessions recorded (we can reach out to Kevin).
5) We are reaching out to a Backdrop supporter in the Bay area who is also an experienced facilitator of tech unconferences about participating in the Backdrop mini-camp AND helping to facilitate our unconference.

NOTE: As of this time, I'm not aware of anyone that has any objections to us including a Backdrop CMS mini-camp on our training day schedule.

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stpaultim CreditAttribution: stpaultim as a volunteer commented
Issue summary: View changes
stpaultim’s picture

stpaultim CreditAttribution: stpaultim as a volunteer commented

I'm going to flag this as a topic that some of us have begun to treat as a settled issue based upon discussion here in the issue queue and based upon private conversations.

However, it was never formally discussed at a meeting of the full committee and never officially delegated to anyone.

My working assumption right now is that there will be Backdrop Mini Camp on training day. I'd like to check that assumption and make sure that there are no objections and/or anyone who feels as if this needs more discussion or official action. If anyone has any concerns about this, please speak up or contact me privately.

We would like to announce this ASAP. But, I'm willing to hold off if anyone feels like this needs a more formal decision/discussion.

minneapolisdan’s picture

minneapolisdan CreditAttribution: minneapolisdan as a volunteer commented

It is decided. Go forth! :)

jerdavis’s picture

jerdavis
Location Minneapolis, MN
CreditAttribution: jerdavis at Horizontal commented
Status: Active » Reviewed & tested by the community

Marking RTBC :)

stpaultim’s picture

stpaultim CreditAttribution: stpaultim at Backdrop CMS commented

A quick update on the Mini-Camp.

* We have two people from out of state that have both registered for the Backdrop CMS Mini-Camp.
* Backdrop CMS will be sending out a newsletter on Monday promoting the Mini-Camp.
* https://backdropcms.org/news/announcing-backdrop-cms-mini-camp-twin-citi...

jerdavis’s picture

jerdavis
Location Minneapolis, MN
CreditAttribution: jerdavis at Horizontal commented
Status: Reviewed & tested by the community » Needs work

Have you also reached out to the local non-profit community through tech talk or some other means? What else can be done to promote this?

jerdavis credited jenlampton.

jerdavis credited quicksketch.

jerdavis’s picture

jerdavis
Location Minneapolis, MN
CreditAttribution: jerdavis at Horizontal commented
Status: Needs work » Fixed

Status: Fixed » Closed (fixed)

Automatically closed - issue fixed for 2 weeks with no activity.