Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the eQualityThinking convention.
con.ven.tion: a meeting or formal assembly for discussion of and action on particular matters of common concern
o.pen: for everybody
vir.tu.al: internet + telephone
full LGBTQ le.gal e.qual.i.ty: same treatment as other discriminated groups
WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE eQualityThinking CONVENTION?
To have as many people as possible discussing and taking action to achieve full legal equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
WHY IS THIS DISCUSSION NEEDED NOW?
With the change in the composition in Congress in January 2011, it is possible that many people and organizations will take the attitude that "nothing can be done in the next two years." We believe that we need to discuss and implement new and creative approaches to get the job done even in the current environment.
WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
The eQualityThinking convention is now concluded after 16 hours of panels with 82 top panelists and 27 question moderators. Now is the time to take action. Check the list of 20 actions you can take for equality now.
WHAT IS THE FORMAT USED?
Each panel lasts for one hour. It is held via a teleconference. Anybody can ask questions via an internet
interface before, during, or after a panel discussion. Anybody can
listen to the panel discussions live or later, since the calls are
recorded.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
This is an open virtual convention. Anybody can attend and anyone can make proposals for panels. Volunteers organize the panels.
CAN SOMEONE BLOG ABOUT THE eQualityThinking CONVENTION?
Absolutely. We hope that blogging occurs before each panel discussion to alert readers to participate. Then after the panel, blog to provide an analysis or critique. We welcome suggestions for future panels. Bloggers and webmasters can also put a banner on their site (get it here).
CAN ANYONE USE THE AUDIO RECORDING FROM THE CALLS?
Yes, everyone is hereby given permission to use the recordings insofar as they provide a link back to the page in which the audio is presented. They can also extract and highlight parts of the audio. We expect that they will do this with the utmost care to ensure that comments are not taken out of context.
WHO ARE THE ORGANIZERS OF THE eQualityThinking CONVENTION?
eQualityThinking was created and is funded in full by Juan and Ken Ahonen-Jover. They are also the founders and funders of eQualityGiving and presented the Blueprint for LGBT equality
which includes the Omnibus Bill and the American Equality Bill (both
written by Karen M. Doering, Esq.). They convened the Dallas Meeting in May 2009 which lead to the creation of The Dallas Principles and later ActOnPrinciples (webmastered by Donald Hitchcock).
In addition, we invite as many qualified and motivated people as possible to be organizers. Organizers perform at least one of these two functions:
- They put together panels. To do so, they need to have expertise and credibility in one area of LGBT legal equality. They also need the contacts to put the panel together.
- They extensively promote eQualityThinking.
Organizers are acknowledged on the main page of the program. If you are interested in becoming an organizer, please contact us with info about you and what you can do.
Anybody, can have an impact on the discussions at eQualityThinking by asking questions before and after a panel, posting on your list, emailing your friends or suggesting panels or topics of interest.
WHO ARE THE MODERATORS?
There are two moderator roles. The first is the Panel Moderator, who introduces the speakers, invites them to make the initial remarks and ensures that the panels start and end on time. For consistency, all the panels will be moderated by Dr. Juan Ahonen-Jover.
The second role is the Question Moderators: they review the questions asked by the audience using the web interface. Then they consolidate the questions and ask them to the panelists live. They are expected to be persistent if a panelist evades the question. This is a challenging role and can be very stressful. We will try to use different Question Moderators for each panel. Ideally, there will be two Question Moderators per panel who will alternate in asking questions.
IN WHICH ORDER ARE THE PANELS PRESENTED?
We schedule the panels as soon as we have a common time availability for all panelists and moderators. It is difficult coordinate schedules with so many people, so sometimes the panels will not appear in the most ideal order.
IF A DISCUSSION IS VERY INTERESTING CAN THE PANEL CONTINUE BEYOND THE ALLOCATED TIME?
We will keep each panel discussion to one hour. We intend to start and end on time out of respect of all participants. If a panel needs further elaboration, we can always re-invite the panelists for a follow up or create a new panel for a future date. We also encourage bloggers and the media to continue pursuing the topics after the panels.
HOW CAN I HELP?
Here are some of the things that you can do:
- Blog, email, tweet, facebook, or text all of your friends (or
members of your organization) about this. Send this link:
http://www.eQualityThinking.org
- Ask questions for the panels (go to the main program page and select the panel(s) you are interested in).
- Blog, email, tweet, facebook, or text about the panels and actions you are taking after being inspired by the panels.
- Propose new panels here.
- Volunteer to put together a panel (if you have the contacts). Contact us with your ideas and short bio.
- Volunteer to be a panelist or question moderator. Contact us with your ideas and short bio.
- Put a banner in your website or blog. It is 150 x 150 px and only 16KB. Here is the code:
<a href="http://www.eQualityThinking.org" target="_blank">
<img src="http://www.equalitygiving.org/files/eQualityThinking/eQualityThinking-logo.jpg"
border="0" alt="eQualityThinking-logo.jpg" title="eQualityThinking-logo.jpg" hspace="10" width="150" height="150" align="center" /></a>
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