Over the past year, in my work with ASCD affiliates, we have been exploring ways to revolutionize the ways we serve their affiliate members. Why? The writing is on the wall that today's educators have different needs and expectations. It's difficult to get out of the classroom to attend conferences, and when educators can get away for professional development they want to be actively engaged in acquiring meaning and building understanding. One concept I have asked affiliates to explore is the deconstruction of conferences, workshops, and seminars into a newly emerging kind of professional development: the unconference.Why unconference? It's a back-to-basics movement—a new minimalism—wherein the participants define the learning and then contribute to its success. There are no keynote speakers, no concurrent sessions, and no matrix schedules. They can be held anywhere you can find conducive free space so there are literally no overhead costs. And the payoff is that those who attend get to connect, learn, and network for follow-up discussions after the event is over. Sounds intriguing, but scary! As one affiliate board member remarked to me at its summer retreat: "No headliners? No identified agenda? No pre-registration? What if nobody comes?!"
"Take a chance!" I replied. "If nobody comes, then
