So, you want to run your own event in the Ether? That’s great! The name and format is licensed under a creative commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International licence. With this licence comes some guidelines
- Attribution you must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license. For more detail, please see the attribution section below
- NonCommercial you may not use the material for commercial purposes.
- NoDerivatives if you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
- Branding and format you must follow the guidelines below
Come along to see how it’s done first
It’s important to understand how it works, so come along and see an in the Ether in action event in action first.
Follow the in the Ether principles
All in the Ether events should follow the same principles
Remote first: everyone should be remote, this makes a level playing field. We embrace the opportunities and uniqueness of being remote, it is not about just trying to replicate a physical meet-up.
Intentional inclusivity: being remote allows people to join that who would otherwise be unable. Either because of location, travel time and cost restrictions or a number of other reasons. Being inclusive also means making sure that everyone has a chance to speak and engage in the conversations.
Respect and reciprocity: this means listening to each other’s questions, ideas and opinions; sharing ideas, stories and guidance and taking part to make a great event.
Don’t compete with existing events using the in the ether format
If you are starting your own event in the ether it shouldn’t compete with other events using the in the ether format. This means it should not cater to the same audience with the same topics unless they agree that it’s ok.
To see what events already exist please see this list.
Before you announce anything let me know
Contact us using this form and let me know you want to do an event using the in the ether format. That way I can share tips with you and make sure you’re listed on our events page.
Naming your event
You should name the event with (your name here) in the Ether and e.g. “Knitters in the Ether”.
Where you should hold it
The event must be held online. We use zoom and I think you should too unless you have immovable organisational restrictions. The format of it really helps with engagement.
The format of the session
That’s up to you.
As an example: Agile in the Ether takes around an hour and starts with a short icebreaker to get everyone engaged. It follows a lean coffee style format, collecting ideas and votes through google docs (template here) as it’s a low barrier to entry.
You can also use lean coffee or an alternative format. That’s up to you.
We limit spots to 25 people, this is as many people as you can easily fit on a zoom screen at the same time and any more would be very difficult to manage. Small also keeps the conversation engaging.
Diversity is really important to us. It helps create an interesting and inclusive event, think about this when you are publicising your event.
Setting the scene
The remote space is new for a lot of people, so it’s important to help them navigate it. I’ve found that starting with some guidelines helps to do this. State them upfront and have the facilitator reiterate them at the beginning of the event.
These are the ones I find most helpful
- find a good internet connection
- one person / one computer (no screen sharing), it’s better if everyone is on the same footing
- add your name when you sign in to zoom so people can address you
- set zoom to gallery view, so you can see everyone at the same time
- keep your video camera on so everyone can see you
- say someone’s name if you are asking them a question, so they know it’s for them (you can’t make eye contact over video chat)
- put your hand up if you are finding it difficult to find a break in the conversation and have something to say
- mute yourself if you aren’t talking and have background noise
- use headphones with a mic to reduce background noise and reverberation
Tools
Again, that’s up to you, as long as it is online. I have found this set up works well for me.
- Zoom for video
- Google docs for collecting ideas
- A clock for timing sessions
- Email service for announcing events
- A website and/or ticket service (I keep it low fi with a webform and google calender, others use eventbrite)
Cost
In the Ether events are not for profit. Short events should be free. If you run a conference and you invite speakers then you should pay them for their time, any ticket money collected should only be to cover costs.
Attribution
You must use the in the ether logo alongside your own logo, and link to our website intheether.xyz on your event page and any blog posts or features about the event. Wording For the link must read:
“This event is using the in the Ether format, for more info or to find out how to run your own meet-up in the Ether please see intheether.xyz“
You must also include the same creative commons licence creative commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International licence
Logos
If you need the logos in any other format, please get in touch
Use of in the Ether‘s logos and trademarks, even in connection with your own event in the Ether, is subject to following this guide. You should review those before using our logos and marks. If you are interested in creating new swag that incorporates our logos or marks, please ask us first using our contact form. Any swag should not be for financial gain.
in the Ether is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
in the Ether was founded by Emily Webber