Rachel D. Fox, M.A.’s Post

It was great to have a day away from the desk to enjoy Capacity’s Fundamentally Different event last week at the Bluecoat. There was so much food for thought… James Plunkett promoting the questions: How often do we change the problem to fix the machinery, rather than seeking a true solution? How do we work with a sense of urgency but not emergency to avoid burnout? How to do we embed new ways of problem solving for our modern world that are: ↔️ Relational, ♻️ Iterative, 📍 Place-based, ❤️ People-centric, and 🤖 More tech, more human? 💬The expert panel wonderfully hosted by Liz Cross, which included the vast array of experience from Naomi Hulston, Elizabeth Hartley, Kate Ardern and Phil Porter. ⚡️The lightning talks showcasing innovative ways of thinking and operating by Open Door , LCR Civic Data Cooperative, Yonder and Kindred LCR - all doing LCR proud! 💡And last, but not least, the We Are Juno CIC workshop I was able to join which demonstrated just how much grit and determination is required to challenge the status quo, including how critical it is to find funding partners that are aligned in vision and values. There was a lot to take in and it was energising to chat to numerous other people working in this space. It definitely feels like there’s some growing overlap in the mindsets re the approaches to strengthening the third sector vs private sector businesses operating as a ‘force for good’. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out over the coming years.

G’Day Network!   I’ve somehow convinced the powers in charge of this event to select me to play futurist in a slide free oration that pitches my ‘top tech trend’ against a suite of actual top tech inventors and experts (hi Olga Hogan, Arnan Mitchell & Laura Bellino!). As the first architect in the mix at this surprisingly large and well patronised event, I must admit I am not particularly clear about the format, the competition, and the general vibe- so no expectations, which is a great starting point! That said, I do define my job as ‘helping people believe in things that don’t exist yet’ and also as ‘specialising in things I’ve never done before’ so this should be a heady mix of the two.   I’ve got 180 seconds to run a mellifluous and tight little package out to the crowd. I’ll try to minimise swearing and jam in a few jokes, and hopefully have something tangibly intangible enough to sway the hearts and minds of well versed and smarter people than me. If I am able to rouse the enthusiasm of the crowd to align with whatever it is that I imagine is going to be ‘big’ then I’d love to have your roars in there as familiar voices.   Let me know if you can come along, or don’t let me know, just grab a ticket! https://lnkd.in/gjc4rUaK #TechTrends #EmergingTech #Networking #Innovation #techcommunity #medtech Decibel Architecture

"The mass of [men and women] lead lives of quiet desperation." -HDT This quote captures part of the *why* that I (along w/ Rand Larsen, Zach Walters, Mubarak S., and Kevin Bibelhausen) am hosting a Charlotte SMB Meetup this Thursday from 5-8p at Sycamore Brewing. (Link below 👇) I want to share the *potential* (note: NOT the guarantee) of this incredible path. Listen, there is no *one way* to do life "right." When it comes to your job, there's nothing inherently wrong with a W-2. In fact, there's a lot to love about it... the consistency, the reliability, the predictability. Those factors are worth something. But, when I tell most people about the Small Business Administration's 7(a) program that empowers folks--regardless of their net worth--to borrow up to $5MM to finance a business purchase... their first answer is to call, "BS." The opportunity is real (note: so is the risk). For me, as an "n of 1," pursuing this path has transformed my life this year, and I've never been happier. However, I will never argue that this space (as some do) should be templatized, popularized, or sensationalized as "easy." (That *is* BS.) But part of my five-pronged purpose is to teach and share. This Thursday's meetup is in pursuit of those two prongs. Plus, as if I haven't mentioned a dozen times already: free 🍻. (Please drink responsibly.) Come meet ~40 other people that are interested in chasing more. If you have one good conversation, from my point of view, it will have been a success.

I started The Sensemakers Club out of a realization that we’re facing a serious community crisis—and because community is the backbone of where I am today. It was the open arms of the information architecture (#IA) community back in the early 2000s that showed me a path for someone like me in this field. For the last few years I've seen this sense of community slipping away, not just in my life but among many brilliant peers who are a blast to nerd out with. And this isn't just happening in our IA circle; it's felt across many fields, and particularly felt by those of us who thrive on making sense. It really does make sense when you think about it (pun totally intended!). We used to talk things out in lively small groups at conferences, in professional membership organizations, at local meetups, and yes, even in those brilliantly intimidating mailing list debates. Now, it feels like we’re all prepping solo for our next performance at those same venues rather than connecting. What I believe we're all craving is a real sense of community. I've been piecing together what truly sparks that feeling of belonging in small groups and over the past few months, I’ve been lucky enough to team up with a group of incredibly thoughtful, kind, and welcoming folks. Together, we have started a club centered around meaningful small group discussions. We’ve got 40 of your future peers, all trained and ready to dive into their roles this month, hosting and participating in discussions to fine-tune our community-focused format. Mark your calendars! We’re celebrating the end of their dress rehearsal month with the 1st Annual Sensemakers Salon on May 31st from 2 to 4 PM Eastern. This event is totally FREE, and you’ll get a taste of discussions led by our amazing group of sensemakers, some of whom are pictured here. … and if you are already sure this sounds like your kind of community, why not jump in as a founding member? We’re rolling out the red carpet with a special Founders Rate, available only until June 1st. It’s the best way to support and join in on what we’re all passionate about building here. Check us out, RSVP for the Sensemakers Salon and join as a founding member at: https://lnkd.in/eSgHw5ch I can’t wait to make sense in community with you.

We’re so happy to say that, exactly five years after our last flagship conference took place in-person, You Got This will return. This time in Berlin on January 18 2025, we invite you to a full day of core skills talks and networking. When the pandemic happened, we made a conscious decision to root You Got This in content and education, leaving a discussion space for core skills aside. Given topics can be sensitive, we weren’t absolutely confident in our ability to deliver this space safely. Being in-person means you know that everyone present is there because they want to learn and talk about the topics that don’t get covered at other conferences. And it’s great to be bringing that back because it’s been sorely missing. We welcome 25 minute talks on non-technical topics that are important for people working in tech. We welcome first-time and experienced speakers alike, and offer optional talk planning and feedback sessions. We don’t directly cover costs, but pay speakers €600. Please share, reach out if your organization can sponsor, and get those talk submissions in - it closes September 22. https://lnkd.in/dtgh9jGC

Women in Tech networking and in my home state; how could I not share this post? Get out there Women In Technology in Jacksonville; we are always better together in IT! In Jax - Please share this post Women in IT!!

Don't Miss Out on the Opportunity of a Lifetime! Hey Everyone! I'm reaching out with an incredible opportunity that could truly skyrocket your career! t The EarthX Conference is just around the corner, running from April 22nd to 26th at the Hilton Anatole. They're in urgent need of volunteers to help make this event a massive success. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this! VOLENTEERS: https://lnkd.in/gEB6Wm97 (If you have trouble message me you details and ill get it to the people in charge!) Why should you be there? Well, picture this: rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names and companies from around the globe, networking like never before, and propelling your career to new heights. It's not just about professional growth though; it's about being a part of something truly extraordinary, learning about the groundbreaking advancements happening in our world, and discovering how you can play a pivotal role in it all. ps They also have student pricing!! https://lnkd.in/g_Xd3Xpy https://lnkd.in/gZb3WdPX Mark your calendars for April 22nd, which is North Texas Day—a totally free opportunity to dive deep into what's happening right in your backyard. We'll be discussing the incredible studio we're bringing to Texas, unveiling massive opportunities for filmmakers, actors, and more. :/ Now, if you're thinking, "Sounds amazing, but I'm not keen on volunteering," no worries! You can still be part of the action by purchasing a pass. Just use our exclusive discount code "Boots20" at checkout. https://earthx.org/ Don't let this chance pass you by—seize it with both hands and let's make magic happen together! See you at EarthX! Let me know if you have any other questions! (ALSO SHARE THIS! HELP ME OUT!)

Ever wanted to post about attending a cool event, like a conference or award ceremony, but didn't know how to do it without appearing braggy? There's a foolproof way: Write a post sharing three things that you learned at the event. Yes, you should let people know that you were at the event. It's a great way to a) remind people that you exist, and b) show them that you are doing interesting things. But if you go one step further and use your new knowledge to make their life better, you are not bragging. You are adding value. That's authentic and it's also strategic - showing up as capable and caring is how we gain status. So don't be shy about posting the cool selfie (bonus points if you take the photo with your phone angled and add a filter, like my 9-year-old). Just remember to post it in service to others. p.s. Thank you to the woman who asked me this question yesterday after my talk at the Women in Tech luncheon at the #AWS conference in Las Vegas (aka, my happy place). I wish I would have shared this tip on stage, but instead I'm sharing it here! #socialnetworking #personaldevelopment

Hey tech community! 🌟 I’m thrilled to introduce DevResources, a vibrant new open-source platform built to help you discover and stay updated on the greatest tech events taking place across the globe. This project is a collaborative effort brought to you by Bugfender and has been an incredible journey for me and my team at CreoWis Technologies to develop. 🔍 Discover what’s on DevResources: - Upcoming Conferences 📅: Find major international conferences and specialized events that fit your interests. - Valuable Newsletters 📧: Subscribe to curated newsletters for the latest news, tips, and updates in tech. - Inspiring Podcasts 🎙️: Listen to discussions and insights from tech leaders and innovators. - Informative Blogs 📝: Stay updated with the latest trends and deep dives into tech topics. - Exciting Hackathons 🛠️: Whether you’re a coding wizard or a newbie, discover hackathons to challenge and showcase your skills. - Educational YouTube Channels 📺: Watch tutorials, talks, and demos from tech experts and influencers. 🛠️My Journey with Bugfender When Bugfender approached us at CreoWis Technologies to create DevResources, we embarked on a mission to build a platform that truly serves the tech community. We adhered to industry best practices to ensure top-notch performance. Our platform is fully optimized, achieving a perfect SEO score of 100. This optimization makes events and resources easily discoverable through search engines. 💡 How You Can Get Involved: - Add Events and Resources: Know of an exciting event, podcast, blog, YouTube channel, or newsletter? Add it to our platform and share it with the community. - Spread the Word: Help us grow by sharing DevResources with your friends, colleagues, and networks. DevResources is more than just a platform—it’s a community-driven initiative to make tech networking, learning, and resource sharing accessible to everyone. We’re incredibly proud of the platform we’ve built with Bugfender and can’t wait to see how it evolves with your support and contributions. Explore the site here: https://devresources.info/

The speaking proposal process for the 2025 SXSW Conference launches on Tuesday, June 25 and extends through the end of the day on Sunday, July 21. As in previous years, the PanelPicker interface facilitates all speaking proposals. This interface empowers anyone in the community (i.e., anyone online) to enter an idea for next year's Conference -- which reflects our ongoing commitment to showcasing new / up-and-coming / often under-represented voices at SXSW. panelpicker.sxsw.com/about Learn how you can create a successful PanelPicker proposal by attending a special summer edition of Tacos & Topics at 8 am CT on Thursday, June 27 at the SXSW offices at 1400 Lavaca in Austin. https://lnkd.in/gWFnVabS If you can't be in Austin to attend that event, then perhaps the PanelPicker Best Practices / AMA at 11 am CT on Thursday, June 27 will work better for you. This PanelPicker Best Practices / AMA on June 27 is a virtual event. https://lnkd.in/gTy_cwnr Or get your questions answered at one of our PanelPicker Office Hours event. These virtual events are schedule for on July 9, 11, 15, 17, and 19. https://lnkd.in/g6W2_pAU #sxsw, #sxsw2025, #community, #Austin, #PanelPicker, #speakingopportunities, #speaking, #creativity, #innovation, #ATX, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, Katie Perera, #newideas, #AMA, #officehours, #bestpractics, #MarchMagic