I am looking forward to participating in EdCampNova tomorrow. The organizing team has done a nice job a getting the party started early with some daily twitter suggestions and I’ve already been learning and participating. It’s a great idea that I may borrow for future events. (Plus, I’m a little excited about picking up my t-shirt.)

Besides bringing some swag, I am “just” an attendee at this event. As someone who is normally in charge, that feels good. But, as I thought about that attitude, I decided being an attendee may be an even important role than that of organizer especially with an edcamp event where attendee participation is what makes the whole system work. Passion and inquiry are the foundations, and if you show up expecting to let others do all that work, I think you’re going to be disappointed. The questions this week mirrored the philosophy: what do you have to share? what do you want to learn?

But, that philosophy of attendee participation should extend to all events, even more traditional face to face conferences. It’s like most things in life: you get out what you put in. So, if you want to sit and absorb, that’s fine, and you’ll certainly learn lots. But, if you want to fully experience the power of a face to face experience, you need to step beyond that comfort zone and interact. Share ideas, ask questions, brainstorm solutions. There is no “just” before attendee: the organizers have taken a lot of time and energy to create a learning environment; now, go explore that environment and see what comes from it.

And, as EdCampNova has demonstrated: there is opportunity for community and learning to continue around the face to face event. If you haven’t checked out the hashtag #edcampnova lately, take a look. Even if you can’t get to the event, there’s plenty of learning and sharing going on.