As a follow-on to similar sessions we ran in March 2015, we are offering a number of 2 hour Digital engagement sessions to VCS groups around Open Data and Open Source principles.

• Wed Sept 2, 9.30-12 - Tableau Public Session
• Wed Sept 9, 9.30-12 - Wikipedia Session
• Wed Sept 16, 9.30-12 - Research: Where is the data? Session
• Thurs Sept 24, 12.00-14.30 - OpenStreetMap session

The times are 10am-12 noon for the first 3 sessions (delegates can arrive from 9.30am and we will start at 10am sharpish) and 12.30-2.30 for the 4th one

These sessions are intended to provide Voluntary and Community Sector organisations (VCSOs) with an understanding of the tools and skills useful in gathering relevant data and presenting it so as to identify need and argue for resources.

'Open data’ is public data that is freely available be reused. In this context ‘open’ doesn’t just mean it can be accessed on a website e.g. as a PDF. It means the data is accessible in a format that allows it to be analysed, examined and combined with data from other sources.

Open data and open source tools e.g. Wikipedia, allows individuals and organisations to research and present their arguments in a more equal and fair manner.

Each session will be facilitated by a colleague with detailed experience of each tool/area so we look forward to some interesting and lively exchanges.

The Tableau Public (free software that can allow anyone to connect to a spreadsheet or file and create interactive data visualizations for the web) session on Wed Sept 2 is being facilitated by Caroline Beavon who specialises in information design, infographics design and data visualizations

The Wikipedia (free encyclopedia that anyone can edit) session on Wed Sept 9 is being facilitated by Andy Mabbett who has been a Wikipedian (or Wikimedian) in Residence at a number of museums, galleries and other organisations, provides training and consultancy on Wikipedia-related topics and speaks on various Wikipedia-related topics at conferences and seminars.

The Research: where is the data? session Wed Sept 16 is being facilitated by Matthew Green who uses research and design to help organisations do their thing even better

The OpenStreetMap session Thurs Sept 16 is being facilitated by Brian Prangle who is a member of Mappa Mercia, a project to grow OpenStreetMap (a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license) in the West Midlands, UK which runs community events, provide training and support local organisations wishing to open up their data.

To follow these events and this programme on Twitter, you can follow RAWM on @_rawm and/or the hashtag #VCSWMdata

FAQs

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

The venue is well served by public transport (buses to the markets area and trains to Moor St & New St - all within 10 minutes walk of the Impact Hub); there is also plentiful reasonably priced car parking in carparks around the venue e.g. http://www.green-parking.co.uk/digbeth-car-parking-site/

What can/can't I bring to the event?

You might get more out of the sessions if you bring a smartphone, tablet or laptop with wifi

Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?

You can email the RAWM office on rawm@rawm.co.uk or phone 0121 237 5813; you can also contact Pauline on the day of the sessions on 0797 440 7017

Is my registration/ticket transferrable?

If you wish to transfer your registration, please contact us to discuss your attendance

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

If you have registered via Eventbrite, we will have your name on the list so there's no need to bring a printed ticket.