Jennifer Kusiak is using her skills as a Certified Project Manager once again this year as lead organizer for WordCamp RI. She shares her thoughts on this year’s planning.
Q:
Jennifer, you are back again this year as WordCamp RI’s lead organizer. What draws you back?
A:
I don’t think I could resist the chance to come back this year after learning so much about the process last year. I really wanted the opportunity put all the great constructive feedback we received last year from the community and put it to work.
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Q:
In your professional life, when you’re not helping to organize WordCamp RI, what do you do? What role does WordPress play?
A:
LOL, I organize other things! I’m dead serious, if I wasn’t a Professional Project Manager, I’d be a professional organizer or a pony. I’m also working on starting my own blog, and I do some consulting in my spare-time with people looking to get their website up on WordPress.
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Q:
Any special goals for this year’s WordCamp RI?
A:
My personal goal for this year’s WCRI is to have equal gender representation across topics and I’ve been actively recruiting speakers to represent a more-diverse skill set, such as female developers, business analysts, and women in leadership.
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Q:
WordCamp RI is two days of all things WordPress. For someone attending for the first time, what advice do you offer to get the most out of WordCamp?
A:
Personally, I’m a crazy note-taker…so I’d bring a notebook and a pen I like (weird but I swear it’s a thing). We provide snacks, coffee, and refreshments but I also suggest bringing gum. It will keep your mouth wet because you’ll be doing a lot of chatting with all of the awesome people you will meet…and wear comfortable shoes!
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Q:
What’s this Happiness Bar everyone is talking about? Why would I want to stop by?
A:
I can tell you that when we asked the wonderful Steve Kitchin and Cathy Cilcius at NEIT if we could have space for a Happiness Bar we had a lot of explaining to do! It’s actually a gathering of WordPress professional volunteers that is staffed all day, where anyone can ask questions and get awesome real-world answers. The format became so popular we at the WordPress RI Meetup Group decided to hold “Happiness Bar” style Meetup sessions.
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Q:
After WordCamp RI is over, there is the After-Party. What is that? Why should I attend?
A:
Yes! This year marks our 5th annual WordCamp RI. The After-Party is going to be like a Birthday Party, but for WordCamp RI, with mingling and adult beverages!
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Q:
Once the actual days of WordCamp RI arrive, what do you personally like to make sure you do?
A:
Take care of myself, hydrate, and get some sleep!
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Q:
Is there any follow-up that makes sense once WordCamp RI is over?
A:
Absolutely! Now that you’ve made connections at WordCamp RI, keep the momentum going and visit people you’ve already met at our meetups. Our meetings and other information are posted at meetup.com/WordPressRI/.
Jennifer Kusiak is a Certified Project Manager, PMI-PMP, IT Project Manager at ALEX AND ANI.
You can reach her at (401) 601-1365 and kusiak.jennifer@gmail.com