Ideas for SqueakFest '08?

> Howdy Squeak Enthusiasts,
>
> I teach for the U.S. Dept. of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) in  
> Guam, USA.  Guam resides about two and one-half hours east of the  
> Philippines, six hours north of New Zealand, and ... well quite far  
> from Chicago.  I do plan routine trips to the states to see family  
> and friends and attend professional trainings however, due to my  
> economic situation they don't occur every year or even bi-annually.
>
> I had tried to attend last year's SqueakFest but wasn't quite able  
> to pull it off. I would love to see some consortium activity in the  
> Pacific Rim Region. It seems plausible to me since at least a few  
> of Squeak's "Heavy Hitters" are native to this region that such a  
> get together can be planned and executed.
>
> In another note, I sense Squeak's worldwide momentum could be  
> enhanced by sharing consortium with humanitarian sponsor  
> organizations of OLPC and the like. My sense is that we,  
> Squeakland, should apply as much effort in building worldwide  
> humanitarian solidarity with as much vigor as we do to our code  
> stream in order to effectuate the societal changes envisioned  
> through the Dynabook concept. I see some fine inroads being  
> developed, but the humanitarian workforce and vision to sustain and  
> develop these roads even further can't be just expected to happen  
> without some larger scale meetings of the well minded hoi polloi  
> (not an oxymoron, they actually exist). The high class teas and  
> power lunches with heads of state and CEO's can only get us so far.  
> We must formulate and conduct large scale worldwide musters with  
> the humanitarian purpose at the core of each assembly to truly  
> reach a "Dyna"mic kingdom. So in closing, Chicago sounds great yet  
> I'd still like to see some more action worldwide. I have been a  
> proponent for Squeak since 2002 throughout all of DoDEA and my  
> community. I am more than willing to work with others in my region  
> to effectuate even greater change.
>
> Regards,
>
> Eric Eisaman
> AP Physics Teacher
> DoDEA Guam High School
>
>
>
> On Nov 28, 2007 2:47 AM, Kim Rose <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Greetings, Squeaklanders -
>
> Viewpoints has recently been informed that after a long and
> successful run hosting "SqueakFest" each summer for 5 years, Columbia
> College will take a break in hosting the event in 2008.  I think all
> who attended any SqueakFest will agree what a wonderful job the group
> at Columbia did to host our group to not only their "campus" but to
> the city of Chicago.  We are so grateful for this longer-than-
> anticipated run and to our friends at Columbia for all their hard
> work and effort each year.
>
> Originally the thought was that the venue for SqueakFest would change
> from year to year, enabling the community and venue to travel around
> the world, have a  variety of organizations to host, etc., etc. but
> the first year was such a success in Chicago, we all wanted to "do it
> again" and so, now, here we are.
>
> I would like to ask you, the community, for feedback and ideas for
> the future....
>
> Should there be another SqueakFest?
> Ideas for venue?  Hosts?  Sponsoring organizations?
> Is it time to create more regional events?  Perhaps in addition to an
> annual international gathering?
>
> Who would like to be involved in planning, organizing, etc..,etc?
>
> I'd love to start a discussion on this topic, so please send your
> thoughts and ideas.
>
> cheers,
> Kim
>
>
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