Appreciation Day – Agile 2014 Reviewers

Unfortunately, saying thank you seems to be an after thought more and more. So at least once a month, I will take a few minutes to publicly appreciate someone that has had an impact on me.

This round:  Agile 2014 Coaching & Mentoring Track Reviewers

If I had to name one conference that I’ve received the most consistent valuable learning and inspiration, it would be Agile 20xx by the Agile Alliance.  I’ve been attending this annual conference since 2007 and became interested in helping give back several years ago.  This year, I’m the co-chair for the Coaching and Mentoring track.  There are many people that make this conference awesome from the speakers, program chairs, fellow track chairs, and volunteers.  However, there is a group of people that do not get the level of recognition they deserve:  the track reviewers.

Track reviewers are volunteers that  have to take initiative to be a reviewer.  They begin reviewing submissions in November.  They have a few weeks at the deadline of submissions (typically in late Jan).  And then they help make the difficult recommendations on which submissions would make the best Coaching and Mentoring track for attendees.  But the real challenge is that their reviews are online, which is never easy.

Some reviewers do this to give back to the conference.  Some reviewers do this to get better at writing submissions for themselves.  Some reviewers do this to network.  Some reviewers really enjoy the experience and return for more.  Some reviewers realize how much work it is and are more grateful to others when they step up the next year.

Personally, I don’t care why as long as we are delivering value to the submitters and the conference.  I’m just grateful that for the three times I’ve been a track chair.  I’ve met and worked with extremely professional and invested individuals that have been a key part of helping to create a strong conference that I enjoy attending.

So thank you to previous year reviewers (since I didn’t have a blog then) and this year’s:

Carlos Buxton,  Brandon Carlson,  Jeremy Raleigh,  Lyssa Adkins,  Skip Angel,  Maria Matarelli,  Salah Elleithy,  Jade Meskill,  Clayton Lengel-Zigich,  Ram Srinivasan,  and  Gaylyn Thompson

Now get back to reviewing 🙂