With the focus firmly on our upcoming spring conference 2018, we thought that it was a great opportunity to catch up with Mike Bath and Rupert Osborn from our Conference Committee. Mike and Rupert have both volunteered with us for some years – we ask why they do it, and if they would recommend it to others!
Mike Bath, Conference Chair
Q: How long have you volunteered for PraxisAuril?
A: I started volunteering with PraxisAuril (PraxisUnico at the time) five years ago, and I have been Chair of the Conference Committee for the past two ‘spring’ conferences.
Q: What motivates you to volunteer?
A: It can sometimes feel a little isolated up in the North East, the conference gives you the opportunity to re-connect with people that you don’t get to see regularly. It is also a great way to meet new people with fresh ideas – speakers and delegates come from a diverse range of backgrounds and bring a wealth of professional experience - such as academics that have gone through spinouts process, so it’s a great place to learn. In fact, there is a long list of business contacts I only know through the conference, so if I hadn’t volunteered I would have definitely missed out on lots of opportunities!
Some conferences can feel quite ‘competitive’ – what I find unique about the PraxisAuril conference, is that it has a very collaborative atmosphere, this makes it stand out amongst other sector meetings – a true sharing and caring mentality.
Q: Why do you think it is important to volunteer?
A: The KE sector has suffered in the past by ‘over-promising’ – by having a group of volunteers who are at the ‘coal face’ involved with the event, it enables you to give delegates a more realistic idea of what is possible by sharing ideas, good practice and ‘war stories’. Volunteers are free to speak openly, they don’t have a particular axe to grind, it is the passion for their subject that feeds their drive and desire to share their views with like-minded people. They all want to make a difference to the sector.
Showcasing what has gone well boosts people’s confidence. The nature of the work means things can often go wrong, so it’s reassuring (and good fun) to talk to people facing similar challenges and to tap into all the gossip for insights!
The volunteer model at PraxisAuril means that you can ‘give something back’ – it is a great way to get input from a diverse range of organisations, and to help others. Learning by talking to people is the nature of our industry!
Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering?
A:There is zero risk, so give it a try! It is a very supportive environment, and suitable for anyone – at any level. It’s also fun, but I think the most important thing is how much it has extended my network. I have learnt an awful lot about things that I might not have otherwise.
Rupert Osborn, Deputy Chair
Q: How long have you volunteered for PraxisAuril?
A: I first volunteered for the conference in 2011 and have been volunteering ever since!
Q: What motivates you to volunteer?
A: Volunteering is a really rewarding experience, I do it because I like to ‘give back’. I also feel that I bring a slightly different perspective to the event as a service provider.
Q: Why do you feel that the conference is important for our sector?
A: Conference is the vehicle in which we can externally project the achievements of the sector to the wider community - including government and key stakeholders, which is essential.
The conference has always been an important event for the knowledge exchange sector. It is a key event for anyone looking to network with like-minded people, particularly as the possibilities to connect whilst working in university environments can sometimes be restricted. Current issues that influence the sector are properly addressed, and it has the right mix of commercial and educational networking presence.
There is also something for everyone – be it entry-level practitioners who benefit from the learning opportunities, through to directors who can discuss and debate key issues with their peers.
Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering?
A: Do it! But only for the right reasons - and only if you can devote the time needed. When you volunteer you make a big commitment, but it does validate your work, as you can directly feed back into the field, including the next generation of KE professionals. Network growth is a key activity in this sector and the conference is an ideal platform to accomplish this. Not only are you given the chance to give something back to the KE community, but also to influence and bring new ideas to the table; and the same applies to the training courses run by PraxisAuril.
It is a privileged position, and as such, requires responsible behaviour. There is a fine line between exclusively promoting your own business and contributing in the best interest of the audience - it is not a selling pitch.
Q: Any closing thoughts?
A: I am really pleased to see PraxisUnico and Auril coming together and think that it will further the relationships already built. My vision for the future of the conference is just one event - an even bigger, unique experience for the sector!
And if I had to describe the best three things about volunteering for the conference, I would say that it is fun, informative and perfect for networking!