Registration opens on June 20 at 9:00AM Australian Eastern Standard Time.
I should point out that, yes, Dr Martin Bridgstock and I applied to present back in early January, in fact, we sent in our application on the 1st. 
Pretty keen!
We were funded by the Australian Skeptics to do a major survey and we have not yet had the chance to present, even though it was something that is quite groundbreaking (as you may have heard on the Skeptic Zone podcast, episode #47).
We also offered to do an education workshop – considering the changes with the National Curriculum, it could be a very good chance to coordinate some ideas to help out education nationwide. Let alone the fact that I’m working with the JREF already with Michael Blanford and a team consisting of people like Daniel Loxton, Barbara Dresher and Matt Lowry, for JREF’s education workshop at TAM8:
Workshop 2B: Skepticism in the Classroom
Bringing critical thinking into the classroom can be a difficult task. Get tips, tricks, and advice from real educators on how to address the concerns of students and teach them the skills to view the world with a discerning eye. Learn how to present critical thinking topics to school boards and parents, and how to achieve results in your district.
Martin’s skepticism course is ongoing – you can find out more information here: Skepticism, Science and the Paranormal, at Griffith University.
We’ve heard nothing as of yet – but perhaps the speaker list isn’t finalised? I’ll let you know…
UPDATE: I should point out, that the reason why I write this is because I have had in the past (and right now, just had three emails) questions about what I might be doing at TAM Oz, if Martin and I were invited.
Yes – I have asked about the status of our application. Twice. It has become awkward to ask any further and if you want to ask me about it, my answer has been ‘ask the organisers, I don’t know‘. That seems fair to me, as I know that there are clearly things going on that I’m not privy to.
I should also point out that I have asked to volunteer backstage at TAM Australia too – as I have done so at TAM3 and TAM5 in Las Vegas, and this will be my third year at Dragon*Con that I have helped with the Skeptic Track.
I’ve even helped out at Skeptic Zone lectures in Perth and Melbourne. I was a co-MC at the Global Atheist Convention and members of the Young Australian Skeptics have helped at the same convention. It was wonderful to work with all of those people.
I therefore disagree with what people might say in regards to volunteers not being appreciated or not getting some ‘benefit’ from volunteering at conventions like TAM Australia. I’ve greatly enjoyed volunteering at all the conventions that I’ve taken part in and the knowledge that I’ve put effort to make it rewarding for others to attend is very important to me. You do get to meet speakers, you do get access-to-certain-areas and you do get to represent your ‘team’ as a c0-worker on something big.
I don’t think it should be overlooked that volunteers put in time and effort for free… but I think it’s absolutely wrong to think that being backstage, being able to be a part of something like a convention isn’t somewhat rewarding in itself.
So – in short, if you do have questions, you should feel free to ask them and not think that any misguided ‘volunteers put in time for free; how dare you question the convention and their effort, they do this for the likes of you – oh, and what have YOU done in comparison?’ attitudes should shut you down from asking polite questions.
Do note – I did write ‘polite’ questions… The feedback form for TAM Australia is here.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
This blog is disappointing to me and reeks of self promotion. I have nothing to do with TAM, am merely an outsider. I have no idea who the organisers have on their short list for speakers, maybe there is a reason they haven’t contacted you yet? From my point of view, by writing a blog like this, you are bullying. To me it seems like you are trying to pressure the TAM organisation into having you present? You may not intend to do that but it sure looks like that from my perspective. I enjoy reading most of your blogs, even though sometimes I disagree. You are a good blog author, presenting is a different skill and perhaps they have better speakers available with more interesting or more appropriately fitting content? Just my opinion, but I for one, did not find the results of the survey that ground breaking and presenting data can be tedious at best and boring at its worst.
With regards to the organisers of TAMoz, once again, I don’t know them. I am sure they understand that they get something out of it. We all do things because they make you feel good. I can also understand however, that after you put effort and work into organising something as big as TAM and the first feedback you get is negative and public, it is disappointing. I am a big fan of providing feedback via back channel initially, rather than publicly, whether it be a blog, tweet, website, whatever. Not everything has to be done in public.
There ya go, my two cents.
Hi all – I just got an abusive comment by someone I honestly considered to be a friend and who I honestly would have thought they would feel as if they could say something to my face – but apparently not.
Read the entire blog post. Make up your own mind if you think I’m wrong in suggesting contacting TAM Australia for feedback and if you think it is wrong for me not to openly talk about how I feel on my own site.
And if you think that there aren’t going to be ramifications for lying to me? Then you should be ready for ‘My Two Cents’.
Hi Kylie,
I apologise for making the comment anonymously. Shouldn’t have done that. I do however stand by my comment. Obviously, I do know the organisers, I have nothing to do with the organisation of TAM and really have no idea what is going on however. I do know that Eran, Jo, Richard, Rachael and many other people have put in a lot of their time and effort in organising this. They have not said anything to me, but I was disappointed in the reactions to the website and I am disappointed in what is my opinion your self promotion and pressuring to speak at TAM, I don’t think you need to do that.
I think you’re absolutely right in what you’ve said, Kylie. At this stage TAM should either be able to say, “We’ve decided against including you”, “We’re including you” or “We’ll get back to you by ……” That’s not unreasonable. As you’re unable to give an answer and obviously lots of people are asking you because having a major skeptical meeting in Australia without Kylie Sturgess seems a bit strange, you don’t have much option except to say, “I don’t know, ask the organizers.”
Actually Chrys – I’d like to emphasise again – this isn’t me. This is me and Martin and I hope that there is still a chance.
I will not, by the way, allow any comments by abusive people be posted on my blog. I do not think they have the right to bully me further.
What is wrong with questioning something? Hell, it is even appropriate to be critical if done in a constructive manner. That is how we learn to do things better next time.
I have a lot of respect and thanks toward the organisers of TAM who have volunteered their time. But, since when does being a volunteer automatically give you special privileges? If someone feels they have been put out, or see an obvious shortcoming, I don’t see any reason why that should not be questioned (politely) with a view to rectifying the problem, or improving processes in the future. Volunteer status in these instances is irrelevant.
I honestly don’t mind if there’s a no to me. I feel that it’s a real shame if it’s a ‘no’ to the research altogether and I’d rather have Martin present.
Perhaps some will think this will immediately invalidate anything that might have happened, by writing this. Well, that’s their choice. But I will not stop myself from writing on my own site that the Australian Skeptics did fund a great research project, did something groundbreaking by providing new evidence about the ‘luck factor’. And I think to believe that what I do is wrong is to miss the bigger picture.
Actually, Dianne, I’ve just had a message from another prominent member of the atheist/skeptical community who offered their services free to TAM and didn’t even get the courtesy of a reply. I know the organizers are busy, but is communicating with those who have offered their help really too much to ask?
Chrys, I also personally know of somebody in the same situation – volunteered any time or assistance she might offer (and is in a position with experience which could be quite useful, IMO), and was treated – in her opinion – less than politely. I found it such a shame when I did my best to talk TAMOz up to her.
Ever since getting on my own high horse about how skeptic groups need to network better and commit equal resources to evaluation and outreach, I’ve heard the excuse ‘we’re just volunteers – we haven’t the time or funding’. Which is true. Nobody is making a profit here. Which is all the more reason to use the skills of politeness and diplomacy where big dollars are limited. I see no excuse when on one hand we hear how strapped for time and money people are, and on the other assistance is ignored. Simple communication is free. An email takes five seconds. Keeping allies on side and maintaining a friendly, transparent and open communication network is vital in a volunteer, grass roots field.
I’m guilty as anyone in terms of being strapped for time and not replying to emails… *looks at the project I have open in front of me now.* :/
But I do see your point. :/ I am reminded of James Randi, who always, apparently, zips out a short email to people who write to him. Maybe people could offer to help out in that regard?
There is nothing wrong with self-promotion. In the skeptic movement, those who are best at self-promotion are the ones who have the most success.
In fact, I wish MORE women would promote themselves. Men have no problems doing so, and women are afraid to look like pushy.
Nothing wrong with pushy. Nothing at all.
I wish Kylie, Swoopy, and Desiree Schell of Skeptically Speaking were MORE pushy.
It’s ok. I will make up for it for them
I love you Heidi, and you make me cry.
In a nice way. 
To your point about why people volunteer, Kylie…
I’ve offered my help to SkepTrack a couple times, but apparently they’ve had someone so good, so Australian, that they didn’t need anyone else. I’m on the volunteer schedule for TAM8, and I’ll likely do some unofficial help around Dragon*Con, TAM8, and TAMLondon…
I am paying full price for my passes to the above, and don’t expect a cut rate or any special perks. I’m travelling to each of these events from Canada, so it’s not cheap… why would I want to volunteer?
What I get out of this is that I get to meet people – I’ve never been to TAM, and that day ahead of the main event in Vegas, I’ll have the chance to meet and talk with other attendees. Passively going to a conference and not taking part in it, not taking some ownership of what goes on? You may as well just order the DVDs and sit at home quietly.
TAM is about interaction, about face to face, about networking and socialization, about sharing ideas. Volunteering provides me an additional little bit of that core of what I go to these conferences FOR.
Richard – I have written very much the same in my blog-post, here:
‘Here’s To Hello’ – Attending Conferences Because Of Attendee Lists
I’ve always volunteered because it’s also a great way to get to work with wonderful people. I probably don’t get much use out of my conference shirts that have ‘Staff’ written on the back of them, however! :p
Oh! And here’s my other blog-post about why I volunteer!
‘Why Dragon*Con?’:
No more personal attacks, please. I think we’ve said enough on comments here. Those who are trying to be fair-minded and support, I really appreciate it. But I really would like to move on. It’s not fun losing someone who you thought was a friend and I’m going to leave it at that.
Again, do come up with suggestions to help out TAM Oz if you do have an idea; I would certainly suggest getting in touch with the Young Australian Skeptics as well, as they have a forum board and that is a fabulous way to bounce ideas off others and get things coordinated.
The ‘Bloggers Breakfast’ from the Atheist Convention was a great idea and I hope someone will do that again?
Edit to add – one of the members of the YAS site has blogged their views in this post.
So Eran S has dumped Dianne Verstappen, even after all of that and too. Good to know there was no conflict of interest, right?!????
I honestly couldn’t care less.
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