Would You Like to Host a YS UnConference?

By Mark Matlock on December 18 2012

Let me start by saying…I love the events we do at YS. I think YS, as a big tent, convenes the best and most diverse group of youth workers who share a passion for helping teenagers follow in the way of Jesus.

But if you’re like me when I go to a conventions or conferences some of the best moments are not the general sessions and seminars. Often I find energy at a convention to be the “in between” spaces like meals and breaks when paths cross and spontaneous meetings happen. Like, during a coffee break, that’s when the sparks fly!

How about an event that has “coffee break” energy?
A YS UnConference is designed around collaboration, discussion and relationships. It isn’t about lectures or training but rather about learning from each other, identifying and solving problems we share in the field of youth ministry. Rather than a person or committee planning the direction of the event from the top down, the event “self organizes” from the bottom up. The experts at a YS UnConference are the attendees (and yes, if you are doing youth ministry in any context, you are an “expert in the field”).

Sound good so far? Interested in hosting a 1-day event?
We have a limited number of weeks this Spring 2013 for me to facilitate 10 YS “UnConferences” across the US. There would be no cost to the host(s), just provide the space and some help organizing during the day.

If there is a group of three or so youth workers who would like to host an event, here is what you need to do:
1.) Form a hosting team of at least two other youth workers in your area
2.) Fill out the request form with your rationale and desire for doing the event

We'd like to find locations in the following metro areas: (we're a distributed team, so we think in terms of Time Zones)

Left Coast
Seattle/Portland
Sacramento
Los Angeles
Phoenix

Middle Earth
Denver
Kansas City
Memphis/Nashville
Birmingham
Louisville
Indianapolis
Cincinnati/Columbus
Chicago
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh

Right Coast
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Charlotte/Charleston
Atlanta
Orlando

Comments

From Helene Foust on December 19, 2012

www.inumc.org

I would love to host an UnConference!

From Ryan Reed on December 19, 2012

I live near Houston and would love to do this, although I see that Texas did not even make it on the list anywhere.

From Jason Kaat on December 19, 2012

Where is Milwaukee, Green Bay or Kenosha?

From Chase Baker on December 19, 2012

We are in Franklin, TN, and would love to hear more about hosting.

From Jodi Gallo on December 20, 2012

I am in Huntsville, Alabama and would love to host such an event at my church for our community.

From Chris Davis on December 20, 2012

It’s great you are all interested. Be sure to fill out the application at: http://youthspecialties.com/ysunconference-host-request to get on the list. Thanks for your support on this new venture!

From benjamin kerns on December 20, 2012

i just submitted a request for northern california. i know it isn’t sac, but we have a really tight denominational and geographic clusters. we hosted an event this fall and had 50 people show up. there is an entire south bay network that i am connected to as well that wasn’t even a part of this group. the bay area has solid youth workers who are deeply committed to youth ministry and would love an opportunity to get some YS love. (it isn’t much of a pitch, but its mine)