start in a friendlier way, change timezone references from Toronto to UTC

2 files changed, 91 insertions, 89 deletions

diff --git a/2023/cfp.md b/2023/cfp.md
index 2ae12f70..fe9b2183 100644
--- a/2023/cfp.md
+++ b/2023/cfp.md
@@ -10,40 +10,35 @@ Copyright © 2023 Sacha Chua"]]
 [[!template id=pagedraft]]
 
 
-# About EmacsConf
-
-[EmacsConf 2023](https://emacsconf.org/2023/) is about the joy of and Emacs Lisp. Come share your experiments and adventures
-with the Emacs text editor / operating system / way of life! We welcome speakers of ****all backgrounds**** and ****all levels of experience****,
-including newcomers giving their first talk. What have you found exciting about Emacs lately? What do you wish someone had told you when you
-were starting out? What part of your workflow might inspire someone to get into Emacs or go deeper?
-
-All kinds of people use Emacs for all kinds of things. We'd love it if EmacsConf 2023 could highlight interesting perspectives and reflect the diversity of our community. If you know someone who might have a good idea for a talk, please reach out to them and encourage them to submit a proposal. Many people (especially from underrepresented groups such as women, people of colour, non-developers, etc.) might not consider themselves proficient enough to share their thoughts. If you let them know that you value their knowledge and experiences, and maybe even suggest something that you think others would like to hear about, they may realize that they do have something worth sharing and that we would love to hear from them.
-
-
 # Call for participation
 
-[EmacsConf 2023](https://emacsconf.org/2023/) will be a virtual conference on **December 2 and 3,
-2023 (Sat-Sun)**.  If you'd like to present at the conference, please
-**[submit your proposal](https://emacsconf.org/2023/cfp/)** by **September 14, 2023 (Friday)**.
-
-A great way to get started with writing a proposal is to start by
-exploring the programs from previous years: [2022](https://emacsconf.org/2022/talks/), [2021](https://emacsconf.org/2021/schedule/), [2020](https://emacsconf.org/2020/schedule/), [2019](https://emacsconf.org/2019/schedule/), [2015](https://emacsconf.org/2015/schedule/),
-[2013](https://emacsconf.org/2013/#program).  You might also find some neat ideas on the [ideas](https://emacsconf.org/2023/ideas/) page.  Feel
-free to add yours there too!  If you're still not sure, come by our
-IRC channel `#emacsconf` on `irc.libera.chat` and say hi.  You can
-join the chat using [your favourite IRC client](ircs://irc.libera.chat:6697/emacsconf), or by visiting
-[chat.emacsconf.org](https://chat.emacsconf.org) in your web browser.
+Have you figured out a good Emacs workflow? Used Emacs for something
+interesting? Learned more about tweaking Emacs? Want to share the
+story of how you got into Emacs and what you've learned? Come share
+what you've been learning at EmacsConf 2023 and meet other enthusiasts
+along the way! All backgrounds and all levels of experience are
+welcome.
+
+[EmacsConf 2023](https://emacsconf.org/2023/) will be a virtual conference on **December 2 and 3, 2023
+(Sat-Sun, 9AM-5PM UTC-5 / 2PM-10PM UTC)**. If you'd like to present at the
+conference, please **[submit your proposal](https://emacsconf.org/2023/cfp/)** by **September 14, 2023
+(Friday)**.
+
+If you'd like to see the kinds of talks at EmacsConf in the previous
+years, check out these schedules: [2022](https://emacsconf.org/2022/talks/), [2021](https://emacsconf.org/2021/schedule/), [2020](https://emacsconf.org/2020/schedule/), [2019](https://emacsconf.org/2019/schedule/), [2015](https://emacsconf.org/2015/schedule/), [2013](https://emacsconf.org/2013/#program).
+You might also find some neat ideas on the [ideas](https://emacsconf.org/2023/ideas/) page. If you're still
+not sure, come by our IRC channel `#emacsconf` on `irc.libera.chat`
+and say hi. You can join the chat using [your favourite IRC client](ircs://irc.libera.chat:6697/emacsconf), or
+by visiting [chat.emacsconf.org](https://chat.emacsconf.org) in your web browser.
 
 This year, we'd like to experiment with accepting proposals throughout
 the CFP process. If there are similar proposals, we'll work with
-people so that the talks can cover different facets.
+people so that the talks can cover different facets. Submit your idea
+early so that you can have more time to work on your talk!
 
 
 # Important dates
 
-For EmacsConf 2023, we are planning for 9am to 5pm Toronto/EST
-(2pm-10pm UTC) on December 2 and 3.
-
 <table>
 
 
@@ -79,17 +74,27 @@ For EmacsConf 2023, we are planning for 9am to 5pm Toronto/EST
 
 <tr>
 <td class="org-left">EmacsConf 2023!</td>
-<td class="org-left">December 2 and 3, 2023</td>
+<td class="org-left">December 2 and 3, 2023 (Sat and Sun, 9AM-5PM UTC-5 = 2PM-10PM UTC)</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
 </table>
 
 If you are not available during the conference itself but you have a
-neat idea that you'd like to share, please propose it anyway!  You can
+neat idea that you'd like to share, please propose it anyway! You can
 always handle questions after the conference, and we might even be
-able to coordinate with other Emacs meetups for events in other timezones. (If
-you're an Emacs meetup organizer and would like to make this happen,
-let's [get in touch](https://emacsconf.org/contact/)!)
+able to coordinate with other Emacs meetups for events in other
+timezones. (If you're an Emacs meetup organizer and would like to make
+this happen, please [get in touch](https://emacsconf.org/contact/)!)
+
+
+# About EmacsConf
+
+[EmacsConf 2023](https://emacsconf.org/2023/) is about the joy of and Emacs Lisp. Come share your experiments and adventures
+with the Emacs text editor / operating system / way of life! We welcome speakers of ****all backgrounds**** and ****all levels of experience****,
+including newcomers giving their first talk. What have you found exciting about Emacs lately? What do you wish someone had told you when you
+were starting out? What part of your workflow might inspire someone to get into Emacs or go deeper?
+
+All kinds of people use Emacs for all kinds of things. We'd love it if EmacsConf 2023 could highlight interesting perspectives and reflect the diversity of our community. If you know someone who might have a good idea for a talk, please reach out to them and encourage them to submit a proposal. Many people (especially from underrepresented groups such as women, people of colour, non-developers, etc.) might not consider themselves proficient enough to share their thoughts. If you let them know that you value their knowledge and experiences, and maybe even suggest something that you think others would like to hear about, they may realize that they do have something worth sharing and that we would love to hear from them.
 
 
 # Talk formats
@@ -123,21 +128,17 @@ session types, please let us know [publicly](https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listi
 happy to work something out with you.
 
 
-# Preparing and submitting your proposal
-
-It can be challenging and intimidating to prepare and submit a
-proposal to a conference, and we want to help make it less so. Come
-say hi to us on our IRC channel `#emacsconf` on `irc.libera.chat`, and
-we'd be happy to try and answer any questions or concerns you may have
-about writing your proposal or submitting it. We'd also love to
-receive suggestions on how we can best help you and other prospective
-speakers interested in giving a talk at EmacsConf.
+# How can you submit your proposal?
 
 Once you're ready to submit your proposal, the [submit](https://emacsconf.org/2023/submit/) page has the
-instructions on how to submit your talk.
+instructions on how to submit your talk. 
 
-If you'd like to propose something other than a talk, like restreaming
-the conference, you can also use this CFP to share your ideas with us.
+If you need help, come and say hi to us on our IRC channel
+`#emacsconf` on `irc.libera.chat` and we'd be happy to try and answer
+any questions or concerns you may have about writing your proposal or
+submitting it. You can also e-mail us [publicly](https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/emacsconf-org) or [privately](https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/emacsconf-org-private). If you'd
+like to propose something other than a talk, like restreaming the
+conference, that would be cool too.
 
 
 # What happens after you submit your proposal?
@@ -161,7 +162,7 @@ and announcements about the EmacsConf conference.
 We look forward to your ideas and submissions!
 
 
-# Getting involved
+# Want to volunteer?
 
 If you would like to help with the conference (planning the sessions,
 reviewing proposals, helping with infrastructure, making sessions more
diff --git a/2023/cfp.org b/2023/cfp.org
index 254c06db..2c93c2e6 100644
--- a/2023/cfp.org
+++ b/2023/cfp.org
@@ -48,50 +48,55 @@ FORMAT."
 #+end_src
 
 [[elisp:(org-md-export-to-markdown)][Export this file to Markdown]]
-* About EmacsConf
-
-[[https://emacsconf.org/2023/][EmacsConf 2023]] is about the joy of [[Emacs][https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/]] and Emacs Lisp. Come share your experiments and adventures
-with the Emacs text editor / operating system / way of life! We welcome speakers of **all backgrounds** and **all levels of experience**,
-including newcomers giving their first talk. What have you found exciting about Emacs lately? What do you wish someone had told you when you
-were starting out? What part of your workflow might inspire someone to get into Emacs or go deeper?
-
-All kinds of people use Emacs for all kinds of things. We'd love it if EmacsConf 2023 could highlight interesting perspectives and reflect the diversity of our community. If you know someone who might have a good idea for a talk, please reach out to them and encourage them to submit a proposal. Many people (especially from underrepresented groups such as women, people of colour, non-developers, etc.) might not consider themselves proficient enough to share their thoughts. If you let them know that you value their knowledge and experiences, and maybe even suggest something that you think others would like to hear about, they may realize that they do have something worth sharing and that we would love to hear from them.
-
 * Call for participation
 
-[[https://emacsconf.org/2023/][EmacsConf 2023]] will be a virtual conference on *December 2 and 3,
-2023 (Sat-Sun)*.  If you'd like to present at the conference, please
-*[[https://emacsconf.org/2023/cfp/][submit your proposal]]* by *September 14, 2023 (Friday)*.
-
-A great way to get started with writing a proposal is to start by
-exploring the programs from previous years: [[https://emacsconf.org/2022/talks/][2022]], [[https://emacsconf.org/2021/schedule/][2021]], [[https://emacsconf.org/2020/schedule/][2020]], [[https://emacsconf.org/2019/schedule/][2019]], [[https://emacsconf.org/2015/schedule/][2015]],
-[[https://emacsconf.org/2013/#program][2013]].  You might also find some neat ideas on the [[https://emacsconf.org/2023/ideas/][ideas]] page.  Feel
-free to add yours there too!  If you're still not sure, come by our
-IRC channel =#emacsconf= on =irc.libera.chat= and say hi.  You can
-join the chat using [[ircs://irc.libera.chat:6697/emacsconf][your favourite IRC client]], or by visiting
-[[https://chat.emacsconf.org][chat.emacsconf.org]] in your web browser.
+Have you figured out a good Emacs workflow? Used Emacs for something
+interesting? Learned more about tweaking Emacs? Want to share the
+story of how you got into Emacs and what you've learned? Come share
+what you've been learning at EmacsConf 2023 and meet other enthusiasts
+along the way! All backgrounds and all levels of experience are
+welcome.
+
+[[https://emacsconf.org/2023/][EmacsConf 2023]] will be a virtual conference on *December 2 and 3, 2023
+(Sat-Sun, 9AM-5PM UTC-5 / 2PM-10PM UTC)*. If you'd like to present at the
+conference, please *[[https://emacsconf.org/2023/cfp/][submit your proposal]]* by *September 14, 2023
+(Friday)*.
+
+If you'd like to see the kinds of talks at EmacsConf in the previous
+years, check out these schedules: [[https://emacsconf.org/2022/talks/][2022]], [[https://emacsconf.org/2021/schedule/][2021]], [[https://emacsconf.org/2020/schedule/][2020]], [[https://emacsconf.org/2019/schedule/][2019]], [[https://emacsconf.org/2015/schedule/][2015]], [[https://emacsconf.org/2013/#program][2013]].
+You might also find some neat ideas on the [[https://emacsconf.org/2023/ideas/][ideas]] page. If you're still
+not sure, come by our IRC channel =#emacsconf= on =irc.libera.chat=
+and say hi. You can join the chat using [[ircs://irc.libera.chat:6697/emacsconf][your favourite IRC client]], or
+by visiting [[https://chat.emacsconf.org][chat.emacsconf.org]] in your web browser.
 
 This year, we'd like to experiment with accepting proposals throughout
 the CFP process. If there are similar proposals, we'll work with
-people so that the talks can cover different facets.
+people so that the talks can cover different facets. Submit your idea
+early so that you can have more time to work on your talk!
 
 * Important dates
 
-For EmacsConf 2023, we are planning for 9am to 5pm Toronto/EST
-(2pm-10pm UTC) on December 2 and 3.
-
-| CFP opens             | June 26, 2023 (Monday)      |
-| CFP closes            | September 14, 2023 (Friday) |
-| Speaker notifications | September 30, 2023          |
-| Schedule published    | October 31, 2023            |
-| EmacsConf 2023!       | December 2 and 3, 2023      |
+| CFP opens             | June 26, 2023 (Monday)                                             |
+| CFP closes            | September 14, 2023 (Friday)                                        |
+| Speaker notifications | September 30, 2023                                                 |
+| Schedule published    | October 31, 2023                                                   |
+| EmacsConf 2023!       | December 2 and 3, 2023 (Sat and Sun, 9AM-5PM UTC-5 = 2PM-10PM UTC) |
 
 If you are not available during the conference itself but you have a
-neat idea that you'd like to share, please propose it anyway!  You can
+neat idea that you'd like to share, please propose it anyway! You can
 always handle questions after the conference, and we might even be
-able to coordinate with other Emacs meetups for events in other timezones. (If
-you're an Emacs meetup organizer and would like to make this happen,
-let's [[https://emacsconf.org/contact/][get in touch]]!)
+able to coordinate with other Emacs meetups for events in other
+timezones. (If you're an Emacs meetup organizer and would like to make
+this happen, please [[https://emacsconf.org/contact/][get in touch]]!)
+
+* About EmacsConf
+
+[[https://emacsconf.org/2023/][EmacsConf 2023]] is about the joy of [[Emacs][https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/]] and Emacs Lisp. Come share your experiments and adventures
+with the Emacs text editor / operating system / way of life! We welcome speakers of **all backgrounds** and **all levels of experience**,
+including newcomers giving their first talk. What have you found exciting about Emacs lately? What do you wish someone had told you when you
+were starting out? What part of your workflow might inspire someone to get into Emacs or go deeper?
+
+All kinds of people use Emacs for all kinds of things. We'd love it if EmacsConf 2023 could highlight interesting perspectives and reflect the diversity of our community. If you know someone who might have a good idea for a talk, please reach out to them and encourage them to submit a proposal. Many people (especially from underrepresented groups such as women, people of colour, non-developers, etc.) might not consider themselves proficient enough to share their thoughts. If you let them know that you value their knowledge and experiences, and maybe even suggest something that you think others would like to hear about, they may realize that they do have something worth sharing and that we would love to hear from them.
 
 * Talk formats
 :PROPERTIES:
@@ -126,21 +131,17 @@ to a traditional talk format.  If you're interested in these or other
 session types, please let us know [[https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/emacsconf-org][publicly]] or [[https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/emacsconf-org-private][privately]].  We'll be
 happy to work something out with you.
 
-* Preparing and submitting your proposal
-
-It can be challenging and intimidating to prepare and submit a
-proposal to a conference, and we want to help make it less so. Come
-say hi to us on our IRC channel =#emacsconf= on =irc.libera.chat=, and
-we'd be happy to try and answer any questions or concerns you may have
-about writing your proposal or submitting it. We'd also love to
-receive suggestions on how we can best help you and other prospective
-speakers interested in giving a talk at EmacsConf.
+* How can you submit your proposal?
 
 Once you're ready to submit your proposal, the [[https://emacsconf.org/2023/submit/][submit]] page has the
-instructions on how to submit your talk.
+instructions on how to submit your talk. 
 
-If you'd like to propose something other than a talk, like restreaming
-the conference, you can also use this CFP to share your ideas with us.
+If you need help, come and say hi to us on our IRC channel
+=#emacsconf= on =irc.libera.chat= and we'd be happy to try and answer
+any questions or concerns you may have about writing your proposal or
+submitting it. You can also e-mail us [[https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/emacsconf-org][publicly]] or [[https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/emacsconf-org-private][privately]]. If you'd
+like to propose something other than a talk, like restreaming the
+conference, that would be cool too.
 
 * What happens after you submit your proposal?
 
@@ -162,7 +163,7 @@ and announcements about the EmacsConf conference.
 
 We look forward to your ideas and submissions!
 
-* Getting involved
+* Want to volunteer?
 
 If you would like to help with the conference (planning the sessions,
 reviewing proposals, helping with infrastructure, making sessions more