Off the Ballot, On Our Minds: Unscheduled Dialogues for Local News & Democracy

The official #PMJA2024 agenda tackles a range of critical topics in local news and democracy. But what about the burning issues not yet on the schedule? The hidden gems, the unspoken anxieties, the unexpected connections? Enter the "Off the Ballot, On Our Minds" Open Space session!

This 2.5-hour session throws open the floor to you, the passionate #PMJA2024 attendees. We'll use the power of Open Space Technology to create a dynamic space for unscheduled, participant-driven conversations on any election and democracy-related topic that matters to you.

Here's how it works:

• Coffee & Connections (15 minutes): Mingle, share your burning questions and ideas, and discover who's itching to dive deeper into election and democracy-related topics beyond the official program.
• Open Space Activation (20 minutes): Uncork your inner facilitator! Propose session topics that ignite your curiosity, post them on the board, and gather your fellow explorers. Remember, the only limit is your imagination!
• Dialogue Dive (1.5 hours): Rotate freely between sessions based on your interests. Learn from fellow attendees who volunteered to host discussions on topics ranging from amplifying marginalized voices in election coverage to combatting disinformation in small communities to reimagining the future of local political reporting. This is your time to dive deep, ask tough questions, and co-create solutions.
• Actionable Insights (30 minutes): Share key takeaways, connect with potential collaborators, and brainstorm concrete steps to translate your newfound insights into action back in your communities. Let's turn ideas into impact!

Benefits:

• Unleash your voice: Discuss topics that matter to you, even if they're not on the official agenda.
• Connect with kindred spirits: Find others passionate about similar issues and forge new collaborations.
• Spark fresh ideas: Cross-pollinate perspectives and generate innovative solutions for local news and democracy.
• Energize your practice: Leave #PMJA2024 with tangible action steps and renewed motivation to strengthen your local news ecosystem.

Remember: This is your space to co-create the conversation. Come prepared to share, to listen, and to be surprised by the power of collective intelligence!

By creating this open space for unscheduled conversations, we can ensure that the #PMJA2024 dialogue extends beyond the official program and truly reflects the diverse perspectives and concerns of all attendees. Let's make sure that even the topics "Off the Ballot" are heard and addressed, strengthening both local news and democracy in the process.