Yikes! I just submitted a topic to present at Ignite Missoula on October 14, 2010—just two and half weeks away. I’ve never done anything like this before.
According to their website, Ignite is “a community event celebrating the passion and creativity of geek culture. ” Doesn’t that just make you happy? It is a forum where anyone can speak on any topic, with the caveat that no one sells or plugs their business.
Several speakers, voted by the public, give quick five-minute speeches “on whatever ignites their passion.” Speakers are allowed 20 slides which forward every 15 seconds. The event is free to attend and participate in, and is organized by volunteers.
I understand it began in Seattle as a technology variety show, but has expanded to a community forum in other cities as well, including NYC and Paris, and now, Missoula, Montana. This will be the third installment (v.3) of Ignite Missoula.
I attended v.2 last spring, where there were titles such as: Free Play, presented by Jennifer Swartz (a Rainmaker client!), Life Imitates Coffee, a Barista Manifesto, by Jon Lewis, and How to Start Running When You HATE to Exercise, by Walt Maxx. Many of the speeches were light-hearted, yet informative. The audience participated in a paper airplane making contest and were invited to participate in an Ad Lib Presentation, improvising for five minutes to the slides as they appeared. Mayor John Engen emceed the event and provided us with an impressive improvisation. A great time seemed to be had by all, especially the supportive audience.
Here’s how it works: Community members submit topic ideas online and the public votes for those they’d most like to hear. Once the votes are tallied, the top 8 to 12 submissions are chosen to present. I submitted a topic related to my passion…you guessed it: Resumes!
My title:
Resumes in the Raw –A Report on Ridiculous, Erroneous, and Otherwise Regrettable Resumes
I haven’t written the presentation yet, but I think I’ll share some of the more embarrassing resume and job interview mistakes I’ve seen and heard about. We all know there are plenty of those from which to choose. I plan to share some tips and techniques and reminders about how to avoid job search pitfalls. For some helpful job search tips, check out other articles I’ve written. I intend to keep it fun, light, informative, and motivating. Wish me luck! I’ll post the presentation after the event, if all goes well.
The voting continues until October 6th. To vote for me, please follow this link, click on ‘Submit Your Topic and Vote’, go to the Feedback Forum, enter your email address, and vote for me. You get 10 votes and you can designate 3 of them to my topic. Don’t worry, it’s easy! Thank you!
Ignite Missoula
I guess the next step is to prepare my presentation, on the off-chance that my topic is chosen. I’ll check back as things progress. Here goes!