Program
Potlatch has strong traditions around its program. They didn't start out as traditions; they were meant to encourage interesting discussions and a sense of shared experience. There are no guests of honor, but there is a Book of Honor. Instead of moderators, there are "ringleaders," which basically means that panelists are encouraged to participate in planning and organizing their panel. There is a single track of programming. Nobody is scheduled to be on more than one panel. Panels that we can't fit in to the program, or that are spur of the moment, or that benefit from a more informal structure, can happen as "algonquins." These ideas have worked well, so we keep doing them. Potlatch also has a tradition of untraditional thinking. The best discussions have been the ones that brought in new ideas, new insights, and found new connections between things. This is where you come in. We will get together for program brainstorming sessions in June, August, and October. All Potlatch members are welcome. (If you are not already a Potlatch member, you can join at the session.) There will be sessions in different parts of the Bay Area. You are also welcome to write to me at programming@potlatch-sf.org. The program design is both topic and people driven. Someone may think of a good person to include, and that will lead to ideas for new topics. Or someone may think of an interesting topic, and that will lead to ideas for interesting people to include. When a panel comes together, the panelists will have their own ideas too. Ultimately it is their panel. I want to include the panelists early so we can have time to come up with a really good program. The slogan for Potlatch is "a place where readers and writers meet on common ground." The best ideas for topics are of common interest to both readers and writers. If there is an idea that appeals narrowly to readers or writers, we will try to find a twist that makes it work for everyone. For example, Potlatch 4 had a fantastic panel where participants from the writers workshop did a Clarion-style critique of a story from the Book of Honor. One of the great things about Potlatch is discovering threads of continuity between the panels. Topics do not have to be obviously related to the Book of Honor. The Book of Honor gets its own panel. The other panels can be about anything, but ideally they will be topics that are complex in interesting ways. I also want to strongly encourage everyone, especially panelists, to attend the whole program and look for connections. Our tentative plan is to have a draft program in December and finalize it in January. This may seem early but I want to give the panelists time to prepare, and I really want to avoid a big crunch just before the con. If you would like to participate in the program, or if you have ideas you'd like to suggest, please don't wait until the last minute. The program book will be finalized and printed in February. The con happens the first weekend in March. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you. Tom Becker
Algonquins (Howto)Algonquins are named for the meetings of Dorothy Parker and her peers (Harold Ross, Alexander Woollcott, Robert Benchley, George S. Kaufman, and others). The Algonquin Round Tables of the 1930s were held at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City, where lively discussion took place. Our Algonquins can be anything you like, a continuation of discussion from a panel; a demonstration of craft, art, technology; a trip to a favored restaurant or to investigate a new one; a reading from a work in progress or an old favorite. To create an Algonquin, use the signup board. During registration on Friday, it will be by the convention registration desk, then it will move to the dealer's room. If you have an idea in mind, sign up early, or a soon as you have an idea. You can use the seating area in the lobby, or the landings outside the program
room for your Algonquin. |