Category Archives: organizer interview

“Pace Yourself “ and “Enjoy!”

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Karen Callahan is a WordPress Developer, one of the organizers for WordCamp RI and is on the Board of Directors for the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce. She’s a member of BNI.

And she loves to laugh out loud. More about that later.

(WC RI) What is your level of comfort with creating and maintaining websites? What do you do with WordPress? 
(K C) I’ve been creating and maintaining business websites for 18 years and feel very comfortable with those tasks. I use WordPress as the foundation of most of the websites that I develop today. I’ve been working with WordPress since it was known as b2, and have installed and customized 90 -100 WordPress blogs and websites, and written custom widgets and plugins. It is an easy tool for my clients to use to maintain their websites.

My favorite work moments are when a client contacts me busting with pride about the post or page they just added or update they just made!

Karen Callahan

Karen Callahan, member of the Organizing Committee

(WC RI) What impressions do you come away with about the other speakers/volunteers/sponsors/the organizers at WordCamps?    
(K C) I am always impressed by the depth of knowledge (of WordPress core, individual plugins, and widgets) of each of the speakers. The speakers are organized and know their topic. The volunteers, organizers, and sponsors create a relaxed, approachable environment that encourages questions and learning.

(WC RI) Why did you decide to become involved this year as one of the organizers?
(K C) I have attended several WordCamps in Rhode Island. They are always excellent learning and networking experiences. I know I am going to attend this year, and I know that there are a ton of Day-Of tasks, so, why not take the opportunity to help out?

(WC RI) What is your favorite part of WordCamp?
(K C) The developer workshops and learning about others’ experiences with WordPress.

(WC RI) What do you get out of it?
(K C) I learn new tools and techniques that can be used in my everyday life as a WordPress developer and make new connections with like-minded professionals.

(WC RI) Any advice for a first-time WordCamp attendee?
(K C) Pace yourself. Wear your sneakers and comfortable clothes. Read the the session descriptions online before attending in order to get an idea of what you want to attend. Prioritize what is most important to you. Give yourself permission to sit out a session to relax so you maintain your enthusiasm. ENJOY!

(WC RI) How much coding/web development/other will an attendee need to know to get something out of WordCamp?  
(K C) None. That is the beautiful thing about the WordCamps. There are sessions for all levels. Even those who are thinking about blogging or building a website with WordPress, or are just curious about this thing called “WordPress”, can attend, and learn and network, and feel comfortable. The skill sets of attendees span the extremes: from “I heard about this tool” to “I am a contributor to the WordPress core.”

(WC RI) What would you say to someone who says: “I know nothing about websites and will be totally overwhelmed.”
(K C) Come and experience the welcoming atmosphere of a WordCamp. Attend the beginner level sessions. Let yourself get caught up in the excitement of the WordPress enthusiasts. You’ll leave feeling confident that you can get started and with connections you can call on when you hit a snag.

(WC RI) What would you say to someone who says: “I know so much about websites and WordPress there’s nothing I could get out of WordCamp.”    
(K C) I would say, “Great, come to network. Meet new people and make new connections. Share your experiences with those you meet – or – better yet, sign up to give a session.”

And about her love of laughter in life…

By the way, when not creating websites I am an avid No Limit Hold’em player and fan ….. Lover of the Arches, Canyonlands and Sorrel River Ranch in Moab, UT ……like laugh-out-loud activities like watching Last Comic Standing and reading Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series.

 

You can contact Karen:

Twitter:     @KarenCallahanMA

LinkedIn:       KarenCallahanMarlboro

Google+:       +KarenCallahan

URL:     http://bit.ly/1MvM1M8

 

Follow WordCampRI:

https://twitter.com/WordCampRI

https://www.facebook.com/wordcampri

meetup.com/WordPressRI

“WordPress offers something for everyone”

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Ajay Coletta on the drums

Ajay Coletta on the drums

Ajay Coletta is a teacher, WordPress fan, and a Rock-and-Roller. He’s a professor at the site of this year’s WordCamp RI: New England Tech in East Greenwich.

Wait, what? Back up a second. Rock-and-Roller?? Yes. Read to the end of this post to get the scoop.

But first, Ajay (A C) talked all things WordPress and WordCamp with WordCamp RI (WC RI).

(WC RI) What is your favorite part of WordCamp?  
(A C) Meeting people and learning how they use WordPress.

(WC RI) How much coding/web development/other will an attendee need to know to get something out of WordCamp?
(A C) The need for coding is really only for folks who want to do more advanced things with WP, there is so much to learn from WordCamp that does not require code.

‪(WC RI) What would you say to someone who says: “I know nothing about websites and will be totally overwhelmed.”
(A C) The concern about being overwhelmed is understandable, and applicable to many things in life, but the learning curve for WP is minimal and there is plenty of great support everywhere, so as long as you are willing, you are more than half way there.

‪(WC RI) What would you say to someone who says: “I know so much about websites and WordPress there’s nothing I could get out of WordCamp.” 
(A C) The Internet and how we use it is constantly changing, the best way to stay on top is by networking with those folks who are completely immersed and you find them at Word Camp.

‪(WC RI) You’re the professor of WordPress classes at the New England Institute of Technology.  With all the options for websites existing in the world, why do you focus on WordPress with your students?
(A C) In our GMW (Graphics, Multimedia and Web) design department, we had a meeting several years ago to decide what platform our students would use to build their creative portfolios. WordPress was the clear choice for the great online support, design flexibility and web compliance, including responsive design for mobile devices. ‪

This is the first time Word Camp Rhode Island will be held at New England Tech; many are not aware of the fantastic programs, faculty and facilities at our stunning East Greenwich campus. Come out and experience it; I will be there. Let me show you around.

(WC RI) When does the learning stop for WordPress and the World Wide Web in general?
(A C) Our WordPress classes run in conjunction with our digital portfolio classes in our Associates & Bachelors degrees, and even though students have graduated, they often stay in touch because they understand that in order to stay competitive, learning a great CMS like WordPress should never stop.

(WC RI) What do you get out of WordCamp?   
(A C) The opportunity to network, learn more about new features and WP events, and often align folks with students who could help them as interns or maybe even employment.

(WC RI) What is your level of comfort with creating and maintaining websites?  What do you do with WordPress?
(A C) I feel I have good comfort with creating and maintaining websites for clients and myself. I am currently creating two new custom themes named after my twins “Sarika and Devie” – I thought it would be fun to include design & theme options that sort of represent their personalities: yes, my “child” themes!

(WC RI) What impressions do you come away with about the other speakers/volunteers/sponsors/the organizers?    
(A C) I am always inspired by the folks at Word Camps and love being able to share my experiences with my students. In my courses I explain that many of the folks you meet at WordCamps build websites and blogs for a living using WordPress; they use the platform to offer services to clients who have real needs and are very willing to pay.

Besides being a teacher and creator of WordPress websites, Ajay is also a member of AIGA, DesignxRI and various Meetup Groups.
(A C) I love to teach and speak and am open to any opportunities. Let’s connect! www.eastsidemedia.com is a good place to start.

And now the part you’ve been waiting for:

(A C) I also love music and am thrilled to be in “Hey Nineteen” – A Tribute to Steely Dan. I have been playing drums and percussion for a while and this is my dream gig. I manage the band’s website www.hey19band.com and WordPress makes updating content and tracking and collecting info a breeze.
Check out hey19band.com and see a video testimonial from Rick Derringer. Really! (Hang on Sloopy, he’s going to Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo.)

Follow us:
https://twitter.com/WordCampRI

https://www.facebook.com/wordcampri

meetup.com/WordPressRI

Daniella Looking Forward to WordCamp at NEIT

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Once again Daniella Norwood is lending her talents to WordCamp Rhode Island (September 25 and 26, 2015 at New England Tech) as the Volunteer Organizer.

(P.S. Want to volunteer at WordCamp Rhode Island? Fill out the form found on this website. https://2015.rhodeisland.wordcamp.org/call-for-volunteers/)

In addition, Daniella is one of the organizers of the WordPress Rhode Island Meetup. She also is a member of The Narragansett Chamber and Southern RI Chamber and is the owner of Ella J Designs (ellajdesigns.com).

Daniella Norwood, WordCamp Rhode Island Organizer

Daniella Norwood, WordCamp Rhode Island Organizer in charge of Volunteers

Daniella Norwood (DN) took the time to answer some questions from WordCamp Rhode Island (WC RI) about this year’s WordCamp.

(WC RI) What are your thoughts about moving this year’s WordCamp out of downtown Providence?
(D N) Being that it’s closer to where I live in Narragansett, I think it’s a great idea!

(WC RI) Have you been to the New England Tech East Greenwich (NEIT) campus? If so, what are your thoughts of the location: both the campus and the town?
(D N) I used to be a member of West Bay BNI and we met at NEIT. I love the campus and enjoy East Greenwich: great shops and great restaurants.

(WC RI) What is your favorite part of WordCamp?
(D N) Connecting with people who use WordPress.

(WC RI) What do you get out of it?
(D N) Meeting new people and learning new things.

(WC RI) What is your level of comfort with creating and maintaining websites? What do you do with WordPress?
(D N) I own a company where we help businesses with their Complete Online Presence: from WordPress websites to Website Care Packages to Digital Marketing. Ella J Designs helps businesses succeed.

(WC RI) How much coding/web development/other will an attendee need to know to get something out of WordCamp?
(D N) Zero.

(WC RI) What would you say to someone who says: “I know nothing about websites and will be totally overwhelmed at WordCamp.”
(D N) Maybe, but you’ll meet great people and definitely learn A LOT.

(WC RI) What would you say to someone who says: “I know so much about websites and WordPress there’s nothing I could get out of WordCamp.”
(D N) If you have that attitude, then WordCamp is definitely not for you.

(WC RI) What impressions do you come away with about: the other speakers/volunteers/sponsors/the organizers?
(D N) How awesome they are.

(WC RI) Any advice for a first-time WordCamp attendee?
(D N) Bring an open mind and your business cards.

(WC RI) What else would you like to add?
(D N) I am looking forward to another successful, informative and fun WordCamp.

Fun Fact: Daniella is teaching her 6-year-old how to code and is looking forward to teaching her 3-year-old when the time comes.

Follow us:
https://twitter.com/WordCampRI

https://www.facebook.com/wordcampri

meetup.com/WordPressRI

Jennifer Values the Interactions

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Jennifer Kusiak is the lead organizer for this year’s WordCamp Rhode Island, an organizer for meetup.com/WordPressRI, and Professional Cat Herder at the Linchpin Marketing Agency in Pawtucket, RI (http://linchpin.agency/).

Jennifer Kusiak, WordCamp Rhode Island Lead Organizer

Jennifer Kusiak, WordCamp Rhode Island Lead Organizer

In the past, the name of the annual WordPress conference has been “WordCamp Providence.” This year, in keeping with the statewide nature of the conference, the name has officially been changed to WordCamp Rhode Island.

WordCamp Rhode Island will be held at the East Greenwich campus of the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) on Friday and Saturday September 25 and 26, 2015. Jennifer (JK) shares some thoughts and advice with WordCamp Rhode Island (WC RI) in anticipation of this year’s WordPress event.

(WC RI) What are your thoughts about moving this year’s WordCamp out of downtown Providence?
(JK) I am incredibly excited about the move. We are the smallest state and I think having it in East Greenwich helps us to be more inclusive of the wider community within the state.

(WC RI) What are your thoughts of the NEIT campus?
(JK) The NEIT Campus is a gorgeous new space with plenty of smart rooms and an amazing technology program founded on WordPress, it’s a win/win.

(WC RI) What is your favorite part of WordCamp?
(JK) Connecting with the amazing community.

(WC RI) What do you get out of it?
(JK) Amazing collaboration and I learn something new within every session.

(WC RI) What is your level of comfort with creating and maintaining websites?
(JK) I’m a project manager by trade. I don’t have a lot of experience with creating websites but I find maintaining them and training clients to do so very easy and intuitive.

(WC RI) What do you do with WordPress?
(JK) Mostly content updates for clients, but the company I work for uses it for 90% of our client projects.

(WC RI) How much coding/web development/other will an attendee need to know to get something out of WordCamp?
(JK) Zero, we make it incredibly easy for beginners or attendees in other spaces to take something of value away from every session.

(WC RI) What would you say to someone who says: “I know nothing about websites and will be totally overwhelmed.”
(JK) It’s a lot of info for everyone, but we post the session content & video afterwards so they can be easily referenced later on. You don’t have to worry about retaining everything; you can go back to your favorite sessions and digest at your own pace.

(WC RI) What would you say to someone who says: “I know so much about websites and WordPress there’s nothing I could get out of WordCamp.”
(JK) I would want to be them.

(WC RI) What impressions do you come away with about: the other speakers/volunteers/sponsors/the organizers?
(JK) I have always been impressed by how friendly and open everyone is with their knowledge and experience.

(WC RI) Any advice for a first-time WordCamp attendee?
(JK) Ha, bring business cards; you never know who will be there!

Follow us:

https://twitter.com/WordCampRI

https://www.facebook.com/wordcampri

http://www.meetup.com/WordPressRI/