October Big Day is scheduled for Oct. 19, where volunteers count as many birds as they can observe in the 24 hour period and report their lists to e-bird.
Nothing is required except getting out and looking at birds. If you can't get out, simply recording birds in your back yard is fine as well. All you need to participate is an eBird account. Just load your observations that day. Since birding is better with friends, maybe get together with some friends and bird together somewhere new. Joe will be out of town and will not be leading any birds walks that day.