The speakers at our monthly meet-ups are some of the most interesting and articulate folks in their profession or discipline. I personally can't imagine getting a better opportunity to hear -- in an intimate setting, no less! -- how these folks work their magic.

Those who attended the last presentation, by Jim Raffel, can attest to that. They may be wondering how we hope to possibly top an act like that. My answer to them is sketchnotes. Or, more specifically, Mike Rohde of RohDesign.com.

Mike invented sketchnotes, and you're looking at a sample of his work. It was through these sketches that, a few years later, he was chosen by 37signals to illustrate their latest business book and New York Times bestseller, Rework.

I was thinking about how articulate our speakers are when I reviewed Mike's recent email. I had asked him to send me his thoughts on what he'd like to cover. I have to quote that email directly, because there is no way I could improve on it:

In the process of developing sketchnotes and sharing them with the world, I've noticed an interesting community phenomenon emerging around the activity itself.

For many people, seeing my sketchnotes has spontaneously inspired and encouraged them sketchnote talks on their own. Most of these people I've never met or even had communications with, yet this sketchnoting activity seems fun, approachable and doable.

At first this was challenging to me. I worried that my unique technique would be lost with everyone else doing it. As it turns out, this has been the opposite -- an expanding community of independent sketchnoters has enhanced my status in the community.

In the August Likemind, I'll talk about my initial struggles, acceptance and deciding to encourage independent sketchnoters around the world. I'll talk about the positive effects of sharing and encouragement and about SketchnoteArmy.com which was born to promote and encourage development of the sketchnoting community.

All I can add is these four things:

1. It's at 7 AM on Friday, August 20, 2010
2. It's at Bucketwork (Follow this link for their address, and an explanation of how, weather permitting, we can hear this talk on their private rooftop courtyard. The link is to a prior post, about another excellent speaker as a past event.)
3. It's free. (Although we are going to be asking for a few buck donation for the Alterra coffee we're providing, with all additional proceeds going to our generous hosts at Bucketwork.)
4. I cannot wait to listen, learn, and meet and chat with the others who have come for the same!