I want YOU 🫵 to submit a Rootscamp session
Plus, What organizers can learn from Beyoncé
I'm on my third rewatch of Beyoncê's self-titled visual album nonstop instead of getting the rest I need for day 2 of Rootscamp. It turns out I'm not the only one.
I did not actually wake up like this that day.
The beauty of Rootscamp was that my fellow attendees and I didn't just save our gushing about the surprise album drop and brilliant songs for lunches and hallway chit-chat—someone proposed and led a session that day called "What organizers can learn from Beyoncé." Even more impressive: The session leader was a first-time Rootscamper.
That's what I love about Rootscamp. ANYONE can propose a session and get it approved.
If you are reading this, I want YOU to submit a session for Rootscamp 2025 (yes, really YOU), whether you're a veteran like me or a newcomer! We're trying to pre-seed the agenda (though we’ll still have some limited space for on-the-fly additions)
Submission Period: Open now through Saturday, January 18, 2025
Review Period (rolling): January 18-25, 2025
Rolling Approval with Final Announcement: Saturday, January 25, 2025
RootsCamp takes place February 6-8, 2025.
Not sure where to start? Here are two resources to get started:
Join our How To Session webinar: We are hosting a Zoom on Thursday, January 9th, at 4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT to share tips on what makes a good Rootscamp session and how to pull yours together. Register here!
Keep scrolling: I have four simple tips for proposing and leading a great Rootscamp session.
TIP #1 — IT CAN BE HALF-BAKED
Most conferences require any session submissions to include a full list of panelists and whether or not you know they're coming. You don't need to do that for Rootscamp. The whole point is that it comes together in the moment.
You can also break the panel format—the Beyoncé session was a group discussion, and the organizer guided the conversation and took notes on a flip chart beforehand.
TIP #2 — WHAT CAN YOU SHARE WITH OTHERS
When brainstorming session ideas, I start with what I think I'm an expert on (building a team from scratch, writing great email content, and watching every episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend). I want to find a way to share those with others.
Don't feel like an expert? Think about what you have a unique perspective on or something you can talk about for a full minute. YES. That thing that just popped into your head. That can be a Rootscamp session!
TIP #3 — WHAT CAN OTHERS SHARE WITH YOU
As previously noted, your session doesn't have to be in a panel format, with experts debriefing on the best practices they developed during this cycle. I mean, I have been to great ones, including the Obama email team's 2012 debrief, which set the stage for how many of us run programs these days.
But I've also been to great Rootscamp sessions where one or two people just wanted to nerd out with a group of people on a specific topic (see Beyoncé the album). Many really smart people are at Rootscamp—be open to learning from them!
TIP #4 — GET INSPO FROM PAST ROOTSCAMPERS
Still, striking out on inspiration? Peruse the full list of Rootscamp 2020 sessions.
Already got a half-baked idea you're ready to submit? Get it in right now.
Do you have a few ideas you need to brainstorm first? Please submit your session idea by January 18.
Hope I see you in Baltimore!
First Rootscamp - 2011
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