Notes on week 42 of 2024


3 things this week: 


I'm typing to:


Preamble

My goal this year is to work on my imposter syndrome. So I've been going to more things and putting myself out there, which helps.


OggCamp 2024

I was at the Manchester Conference Centre on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October to volunteer at OggCamp. This 2 day event has an open source theme, with 2 speaker tracks and 2 unconference tracks. My job was to manage the unconference schedule. 

Although an unconference can be whatever you like, most of the unconference sessions were actually talks. Apparently there were some discussions, but they were in the minority. But that’s okay 🙂 

I enjoyed getting to know a new crowd of people, and really getting my geek on for the first time in ages. 


Ration Club

For the second week in a row, I attended this supper club at Newspeak House in Shoreditch, London. 1 or more of the residents cook, then we all sit down and eat. This week I mainly chatted with Anni Rowland-Campbell who’s had a fascinating life so far. 

After food, I popped downstairs to the first London Civil Service Social run by Alexander Vince. Bumped into Ael and caught up, which was nice. Turns out we’re both interested in the Strategy Delivery Manager job at Camden Council.


ukgc25

UKGovCamp 2025 (ukgc25) is an annual event for people interested in making the public sector better. I’m the event’s delivery manager and this week we had our 2nd regular organiser’s catchup (4th meeting in total). 

Registration is open and venue search is underway. 

Just have a few more organiser roles to fill, then we’ll be up to full strength. Several of us regular organisers are standing down this year, so it’s good to welcome new blood and help them fly. 

Personally, I’m moving into the treasurer role that’s been done by Steph Gray for many years. He doesn’t live far from me, so I cycled over and started the handover today.


In summary: