SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- When you think of community, where does your mind jump?
Perhaps the neighborhood you live in? Tight-knit teams you may work side-by-side with weekly? A local pub where everybody knows your name?
Team Schriever and guests can look forward to diving deeper into this discussion Aug. 12, during this year’s TEDxSchriever event, and it’s theme of Strengthening Communities.
According to www.ted.com, “TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world.”
James Hodges, 50th Space Wing Public Affairs Community Engagement chief, curated Schriever’s independent TEDx event, the third iteration at the base.
“Our goal is to bring together exciting ideas on a wide range of subjects to teach, inspire and provoke conversation,” explained Hodges.
One of his primary visions for Schriever TEDx is to help dispel misconceptions about Schriever’s community.
“Schriever still has a stigma of being a commuter base but that is just not true. People think we are separated from the Colorado Springs community but the majority of our workforce lives there and is part of that community,” said Hodges.
Some have said that Schriever is considered a “family community,” considering the smaller number of personnel employed/living on-base compared to larger installations throughout the Air Force.
Community is a major focus for Team Schriever and one of the wing’s priorities, according to Hodges.
“Here at Schriever, if you look at our website you can see how awesome our Schriever community is. We have the best Summer Slam Base Picnic on the Front Range, Geek Lunch on Tuesdays, the Single Airman initiative, Green Dot, Wingman University, SCAR events, Fitness Center events, intramural sports and promotion ceremonies. Our base is involved and we have a strong community,” he said.
TEDxSchriever is focused on strengthening that community and the greater Pikes Peak community where the base belongs.
The event will feature seven presenters who will entertain, and share topics and initiatives that have impacted the community.
Keeping in step with the TED format, speakers will have 18 minutes or less to inspire their audience.
The talks will be recorded and hosted on the TEDx YouTube channel and shared via the Schriever Air Force Base Facebook page. Last year, the talk videos garnered more than 2,000 views from around the world.
Hodges explained that this event is meant to remind people of the deeper meaning of community.
“A community is more than just a group of people who live in the same area. It’s the history and culture of the area, the economy and interests of the society, and the sense of ownership, pride and passion of the people,” said Hodges.
The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Building 300 auditorium with a break for lunch and discussion. For more information, contact Hodges at 567-5040.
The scheduled speakers include:
- Steve Hitchcock, founder of UpaDowna, www.upadowna.org
- Lyn Harwood, Chef and founder of SEEDS Community Café, www.seedscommunitycafe.org
- John Spears, Pikes Peak Library District executive director, www.ppld.org
- Nate Burke, Green Dot Etc. www.livethegreendot.org
- Col. Dawn Zoldi, U.S. Air Force Academy judge advocate
- 1st Lt. Heather Newman, Air Force Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities, Athlete/Airman/Engineer
- Master Sgt. Aaron Hunt, 310th Force Support Squadron, opera singer
(About TEDx, x = independently organized event. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.))