Product Camp Scholarship Announced
By Jennifer Doctor
My passion for Product Camps is no secret. Since attending my first one in November 2009, I have gone on the road to enjoy additional events as well as organized a few, bringing me to the grand total of being an attendee at 12 Product Camps. (That is, until the 2012 year where I hope to go to some more!) Each one was fantastic and I loved learning from, teaching and networking with all of the product professionals I have had the pleasure of meeting over the past few years.
Now it’s my turn to pay it forward.
As many of you know, for the past several years I have done some “side projects”, aka consulting work. Sometimes this was my primary income; sometimes it supplemented a salary from a company. While doing this work I have operated under the business name HarborLight Partners. It is through this business I am starting a new program – a Product Camp Scholarship.
A scholarship to attend a product camp? Yes. The scholarship is being offered to help new, first-time attendees with travel expenses when their companies do not so that the individual does not have to bear the whole expense out of pocket. (I’ve done that 8 times, and it can add up.) The scholarship is not enough for airfare or to stay at a 4-star hotel; but, if you need help with a tank or two of gas, or one night at a reasonable business hotel, and that will make the difference in your attending, then this program is for you.
I am not looking to have the major product vendors contribute large dollar amounts so that more people can attend. The vendors do a great job of sponsoring the events, and when you add it up they spend quite a lot of money on our community. Rather, this is a micro-scholarship program designed by the product professional community FOR the product professional community. Why? Simple. All too often we have no one to turn to for support in our companies, being an isolated team of one (or a few); but, product camps offer us a support network where we can turn for continued learning. That is what this program is designed to support.
The form for first-time attendees to apply is available here. It’s a 5-minute process. If you are considering attending your first Product Camp, now is the time to apply. Requests must be received 2 weeks in advance of the Product Camp date.
When you do attend remember to do so with a purpose. If you want to propose a session, read this short blog post about presenting at a Product Camp.
Money will be awarded as it is available. There are no guarantees of amounts or the duration of the program. I have seeded the fund with a beginning balance. But, to keep offering the scholarship, more money will be needed. I am committed to adding to it as I am able; but if you have been to a product camp, see value and want to support the program and pay it forward, there is a link here where you can add your micro-donation to the cause. (This is not an official non-profit scholarship fund. There is no tax deduction available.) Even those $10 donations can add up fast and make a difference when the product community comes together.
Now’s the time to start applying! I hope that past attendees of a Product Camp see value, come together as a community and join the cause. I also ask the product community to help promote this program. It’s not about me – it’s about us. Come join the fun! I’ll see you soon at a product camp. (And, thank you.)
(Please share this on Twitter, LinkedIn and even Google+: “Product Camp Scholarship Announced” by@jidoctor: http://wp.me/pXBON-386 #prodmktg #prodmgmt”)
Related posts:
- Greetings from P-Camp!
- Silicon Valley Product Camp Approaches!
- P-Camp Silicon Valley 2009
- I gotta camp out to get me some of that … iPhone camping guide
Jennifer I applaud the idea. I wanted to believe in it and pulled out my wallet to help contribute. Then I stopped for a moment and thought about it. I am passionate about Pcamps as well. (I am sitting in snowy Denver drinking a steaming cup of coffee out of my Minn. Pcamp mug, mmm!)I just couldn’t contribute to an individual. It was too limited and the return could go either way.
Now, before I get labeled as a tightwad, I will propose another option which would be to contribute to a fledgling camp. More are needed. One of the daunting aspects about setting up a camp is how to fund it. Several of the sponsors Pragmatic Marketing, 280Group, Sequent Learning, Proficientz to name a few have come through in some big ways. I can get behind a new launch. There seems to be a hole in the Ohio river valley (looking at you P&G).
This way it is not an individual making a 6 figure salary claiming poor me. It is the start of a local community that can continue to add value and create the necessary conversations.
If you like that idea, shoot me an e-mail.
Good proposal for paying it forward though.
#PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmktg #prodmgmt
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#PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmktg #prodmgmt
#PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmktg #prodmgmt
#PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmktg #prodmgmt
Thx @StewartRogers, @margaritalurye & @pcampmn for the RT on New #PCamp Scholarship http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmgmt #prodmktg #productmgmt
nice! RT @jidoctor: #PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/Bz4spTU3 #prodmktg #prodmgmt
Couldn't support it as written. RT @jidoctor: #PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/zMW72yW1 #prodmktg #prodmgmt
Larry,
I think helping regions (like the Ohio Valley) start one is a great idea; but, that is something I have been doing all along. I have helped Chicago and you in Denver with guidance and contacts.
What I am hoping to do with this program is to encourage those who are in regions that do not have a Product Camp to attend one, with travel help from this program, and return to their region excited enough to start a program.
It’s about small steps in paying it forward. I can’t boil an ocean.
#PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmktg #prodmgmt
Thx @joshua_d @lmckeogh @RKalogeris for the RT on New #PCamp Scholarship http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmgmt #prodmktg #productmgmt
#PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmktg #prodmgmt
@barbaragnelson thx for the RT (& donation) re: #pcamp scholarship. appreciate the support! http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmgmt #prodmktg
@barbaragnelson thx for the RT (& donation) re: #pcamp scholarship. appreciate the support! http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmgmt #prodmktg
@barbaragnelson thx for the RT (& donation) re: #pcamp scholarship. appreciate the support! http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmgmt #prodmktg
Thx @joshua_d @lmckeogh @RKalogeris for the RT on New #PCamp Scholarship http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmgmt #prodmktg #productmgmt
nice! RT @jidoctor: #PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/Bz4spTU3 #prodmktg #prodmgmt
Product Camp Scholarship Announced” by@jidoctor http://t.co/Z6CQMUEy #prodmktg #prodmgmt #productcamp
thx @OnPM & #prodmgmttalk re: RT #PCamp Scholarship Announced http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmgmt #prodmktg #productcamp #productmgmt
Going to #PCATX for the first time? New #PCamp Scholarship may help w/ travel expenses http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ (apply this weekend!)
Going to #PCATX for the first time? New #PCamp Scholarship may help w/ travel expenses http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ (apply this weekend!)
RT @jidoctor: thx @onpm & #prodmgmttalk re: RT #PCamp Scholarship Announced http://t.co/0faEsNRd #prodmgmt #prodmktg #productcamp…
RT @jidoctor: thx @onpm & #prodmgmttalk re: RT #PCamp Scholarship Announced http://t.co/0faEsNRd #prodmgmt #prodmktg #productcamp…
RT @jidoctor: thx @onpm & #prodmgmttalk re: RT #PCamp Scholarship Announced http://t.co/0faEsNRd #prodmgmt #prodmktg #productcamp…
RT @jidoctor: thx @onpm & #prodmgmttalk re: RT #PCamp Scholarship Announced http://t.co/0faEsNRd #prodmgmt #prodmktg #productcamp…
RT @jidoctor: thx @onpm & #prodmgmttalk re: RT #PCamp Scholarship Announced http://t.co/0faEsNRd #prodmgmt #prodmktg #productcamp…
RT @jidoctor: thx @onpm & #prodmgmttalk re: RT #PCamp Scholarship Announced http://t.co/0faEsNRd #prodmgmt #prodmktg #productcamp…
Going to #PCATX for the first time? New #PCamp Scholarship may help w/ travel expenses http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ (apply this weekend!)
RT @jidoctor: #PayItForward: Announcing a #ProductCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/TEKhef7A #prodmktg #prodmgmt
#PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmktg #prodmgmt
#PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmktg #prodmgmt
#PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmktg #prodmgmt
#PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmktg #prodmgmt
Nice job, @jdoctor RT @onpm: Product Camp Scholarship Announced http://t.co/FvzAtRqr
How cool is this – way2go JD. @sjohnson717: Nice job, @jdoctor RT @onpm: Product Camp Scholarship Announced http://t.co/Zf6BLx7M
How cool is this – way2go JD. @sjohnson717: Nice job, @jdoctor RT @onpm: Product Camp Scholarship Announced http://t.co/Zf6BLx7M
RT @jidoctor: Product Camp Scholarship http://t.co/GlWGCctC | Now _this_ is cool / generous #prodmktg #prodmgmt
RT @onpm: Product Camp Scholarship Announced http://t.co/qeXOS5jH #prodmgmt
thx @OnPM & #prodmgmttalk re: RT #PCamp Scholarship Announced http://t.co/Zybx5mIZ #prodmgmt #prodmktg #productcamp #productmgmt
Great idea! RT @onpm: Product Camp Scholarship Announced” by@jidoctor http://t.co/tdjlXXNx #prodmktg #prodmgmt #productcamp
RT @jidoctor: #PayItForward: Announcing a #PCamp Scholarship" http://t.co/1IzupkPj #prodmktg #prodmgmt
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w/ pcamp season here, help #payitforward by supporting & talkng about the #pcampScholarship http://t.co/XxdmkOig #prodmktg #prodmgmt
w/ pcamp season here, help #payitforward by supporting & talkng about the #pcampScholarship http://t.co/XxdmkOig #prodmktg #prodmgmt
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