The Sunshine Coast branch of SCBWI QLD recently had to reformat their first quarterly meeting of 2020 thanks to the escalation of precautions against COD19. They’d scheduled a low-key Sketch & Scribble on Chambers Island, a quiet picnicking spot featuring pretty views, some squelchy mangroves, and an abundance of bird life.
“My first inclination was to cancel,” Ali Stegert, Sunshine Coast coordinator and QLD ARA, reported. “But in this time of uncertainty and upheaval, people crave connection and a bit of normalcy. I wanted to find a way to go ahead with the meeting while respecting the current health protocols.”
The event she devised included three optional parts: 1. The Island Hop activation guide (PDF, done individually) 2. Group discussion (Zoom) 3. Sharing sketches and scribbles (our private Facebook group)
Zooming Meetings
If ever there was a time to master Zoom, it’s now when we must isolate for the common good. Zoom is a virtual meeting platform used for business events and online conferences. Its basic functions are fairly intuitive, and it offers ample training support for the more advanced options. Ali trialled the free plan to see if it would be adequate. “It worked fine, but you get a maximum of 40 minutes; that was its only limitation.”
Angela Sunde, Gold Coast branch coordinator, said: “As a debut attendee at a Zoom meeting, I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to be extended and challenged outside of my usual online activities and comfort zone. I don't feel at all isolated now.”
“The Zoom session was a little clunky as we figured out the technology,” Ali explained. The trick is learning to master running the meeting so people feel comfortable answering questions and participating. Another important step is letting everyone know to mute their mic when they move around, as everyone can hear ambient noises in your space (e.g., dogs barking, cups clinking, etc.).
Brisbane member Jane Hodgkinson reported: “I had taken part in my first Zoom meeting for work only last week, so it’s good to see it being used quite widely - it seems very stable and versatile. Great for sharing screens and having group presentations. Similar to today, we posted questions and comments on the chat function, which one person was asked to read out as we worked through them.”
Zoom has a gallery view that shows all the participants on your screen. Everyone agreed it felt like the Brady Bunch. One member who joined the Zoom session on her phone couldn’t access the gallery view, which she found a bit limiting.
A Cyber Sketch & Scribble?
Ali also had to devise a way to replicate something of the island’s value as a creative stimulus for writers and illustrators. “A Sketch & Scribble is all about creative activation. Fortunately, we’re working with imaginative people,” Ali said.
This was the Queensland branch’s first Sketch & Scribble, so she created a guide that explained the event and provided participants with ten exercises based on the theme of Islands in Children’s Literature. Exercises in the Island Hop Guide included:
• mind mapping
• brainstorming
• building an island lexicon
• drawing a mud map.
“Trying to create activities that would be meaningful to both writers and illustrators was a fun challenge,” Ali said. “I made up more than enough so people could pick and choose.”
Ali made the document with PowerPoint, saved it as a PDF, and shared it with a Google Drive link.
Jane Hodgkinson was one of several participants who developed a story idea through the exercises. “Apart from the fact it was a helpful focus for idea generation, it was a very welcome distraction from the rest of what is going on at the moment. I really liked the format of sending out step-wise exercises to work though then coming together at a set time to discuss them. I'll keep working on what I managed to come up with over the coming weeks...”
The Outcome
The online format made it possible to open up the regional branch meeting to the whole state (and country). “My favourite thing about the whole day was being able to connect with people from our entire region, from the Di in the Far North down to Penelope in northern NSW and everyone in between,” Ali reported.
Corona virus might shut schools and close down cafes, but it can’t lock down creative community.
Stay safe everyone.
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Island Hop PDF (link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HHSiC0jZJzNJUWrYkAfunyi3ubAXN2Ba/view?usp=drivesdk