What is the GeekRetreat?
The GeekRetreat is a weekend event bringing together pioneers from the South African Internet space (entrepreneurs, journalists, PR professionals, engineers) and connecting them with people working on social entrepreneurship/non-profit projects that use technology to advance the Internet for all.
What is the goal of the GeekRetreat?
There are two main goals. One is to have fun connecting with some of the incredible minds working in the space. The other is to make a positive impact on projects that are working towards the development of an Internet that is available and meaningful to South African society as a whole. We can’t separate these two goals: if we’re not having fun making a difference, then it won’t be the GeekRetreat anymore.
Who is in charge of the GeekRetreat?
No one really. This is a community-driven initiative. Everyone plays their part in making the event a success. We do have a three-person steering committee that provides some leadership but mostly it’s about rolling up our sleeves and getting things done together.
How do I get to come to the GeekRetreat?
Find out when the next retreat is happening. Sign up to the mailing list or put a ‘geekretreat’ alert on your twitter client. When applications open, be sure to send in an application, letting us know what you can do to help and what session you’d like to facilitate/help with.
What if I can’t afford it?
We have scholarships available to people from the non-profit/social entrepreneurship sector who will benefit from the weekend in a measurable way. In order to apply for a scholarship you will have to propose a concrete outcome (e.g. develop or enhance a media/PR strategy, fundraising plan for a new project) that you will achieve from interacting with participants (journalists, PR people, internet entrepreneurs, internet businesses) in a particular session at the retreat.
What happens at the GeekRetreat?
The weekend is organised around different kinds of sessions – skill shares, workshops, debates, lightning talks and talking heads sessions. We also have time to hang out and do fun stuff wherever we happen to be that weekend. Most of all it’s about being intellectually stimulated and having a lot of fun at the same time.
Where does the money go?
Participants’ fees are kept as low as possible – with administrative fees being garnered from sponsorships. We don’t allow sponsors to put up any banners at the event because we want to continue the feeling that this is just a fun weekend away with friends. We do thank sponsors on our site and publicly at the gathering because they’re some of the special few who recognise how important it is for us to do it this way.
