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  • Reflections On A #4Change Twitter Chat

    Zero Strategist 3:12 pm on February 19, 2010 | Comments Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , Reflection, , ,

    Last week I facilitated the #4Change global twitter chat with Tom on Cause Fatigue. It was an awesome one. When the chat ended I was left with what I have just call in the past “the feeling.” The purpose of this article is to explore exactly what that “feeling” is and why it is important.

    Describing “The Feeling” of A Great Twitter Chat

    When I participate in or moderate a twitter chat that has gone well I experience a range of emotions which I will attempt to describe here:

    Convergence - Diverse and distributed individuals coming together to make something common happen in real time.

    Discovery - The exploration of ourselves, each other, our thoughts, common issues, topics, information, links, articles, books, videos and other resources which are not always know by any one individual, expert or practitioner.

    Conversation - Intense, thoughtful, deep conversation about something which is of interest.

    Connection - Forging lasting connections because of meaningful interactions around common actions.

    Collaboration - The contributions of individuals to co-create something together, which is otherwise not possible.

    Serendipity - The experience of encountering “randomness” or “pseudo-randomness” (I don’t think they are random at all but that is for another article), the bridging of degrees of social, societal, organizational and global separations.

    Openness – An open door through a relatively open platform, though which any peer can step at anytime. All opinions welcome, wanted and valued.

    Rich Discussion – When participating in the face to face chats with different sized groups there are certain physical limits. With the microblog medium it is possible to participate in multiple conversations or conversation threads at once. The conversation can converge, diverge and re-converge whenever it needs to. A more rich conversation can happen where once it was limited physically.

    Learning - Often times when joining in a microblog chat (or any meeting for that matter), people think or believe that they may already know a good deal about a subject or topic. But through the virtual convening of eclectic individuals, perspectives and backgrounds in open conversation a greater truth, knowledge or experience has the potential to reveal itself to all.

    The feeling that I have described above is the not like any other feeling I have experienced in life. To be completely honest it can indeed be quite compelling, borderline intoxicating. It is this overwhelming sense of so many “things” mashed together that it becomes a nearly nonsensical and indescribable emotional mashup. But the first time you feel it, you just know somewhere deep inside and something changes in you forever. It is a sense of awe and amazement, the one you first experienced as a kid discovering the world.

    Your “reality” is not the same as it was before feeling that (social media working). You don’t look at things or think about things the same way that you did before. The mind begins to race with the possibility of change on a much grander scale then imagined in previous moments. The ideas come in waves like tsunamis, time becomes some elusive thing that you need more of to make so much more happen. Something is working and happening on a higher level that was not really possible before these social web technologies emerged and took flight on the Internet a half a decade ago.

    Why I Participate In #4Change Microblog Chats

    Everyone has their own reason for joining different events, conversations and happenings both virtual and real. The reason I participate in the #4Change Twitter Chats (microblog chats) is because of two things which I know to be at the heart of social media and social change:

    1. The Feeling (As described above)
    2. My Peers (#4Change team/fellow tweeps)

    Disclosure – This article has been cross posted to Zero Strategist

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    • Amy Sample Ward 10:24 am on February 22, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks so much for taking the time to really articulate what I think many people, on the 4change team and off, feel when they participate in the #4change chats. What's great about your break down of the elements is that when I read through them I think of many other things – facilitating a session or an event, running an innovation workshop, and so on – that create similar versions of “the feeling.” It is exhilarating to be part of something :)

      I'm so happy that the 4change chats and the collaboration of the project have helped foster such a feeling! Woohoo!

  • Cause Fatigue #4Change Recap

    Zero Strategist 5:39 pm on February 12, 2010 | Comments Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , ,

    Thanks everyone who attended or contributed to February’s #4Change Chat on the topic of Cause Fatigue, the chat was indeed interesting and lively! This is not at complete transcript of the conversation, but rather a curated recap which aims to tie the conversation threads together.

    If you have any additional ideas, insights, resources or writings on cause fatigue please leave comments, post links or use the #4change hashtag to tweet your post! You can always review the entire chat by searching the #4Change hashtag on twitter.

    Q1. How do you define cause fatigue?

    amycarolwolff Cause fatigue is what occurs when communication about an issue becomes uncreative and stagnant.

    tomjd I think Cause Fatigue is when stories no longer resonate – ppl get used to issue, it comes normal, acceptable. Loss of outrage.

    zerostrategist @amycarolwolff A1: I think #cause #fatigue is when you dread having to support a cause that you really love supporting

    realize_ink @tomjd Agreed. I’d add that it’s what happens when comms re: issue no longer tap their core values. Values may’ve changed

    zerostrategist @tomjd A1: I think Cause Fatigue is when people lose all passion to act for a cause to which they are dedicated or do believe in

    Q2. What are some of the contributing factors to cause fatigue?

    tomjd Another factor is loss of belief in change. Ppl accept status quo. Consider all parties “interest groups”, all equally suspicious.

    zerostrategist A2: Inefficiency in general, lack of a cohesively communicated & executed strategy, few resources can be big factors in c-fatigue

    memeshift @zerostrategist I think *attention* is just such a resource internally (org)/externally(supporters)

    tomjd @memeshift Totally agree with “attention” as a resource to be more carefully managed. This is why I Q all the big giving comps

    tomjd @memeshift like Chase, Pepsi, etc – when orgs r repeatedly mobilizing supporters for these comps their attention resource dwindles

    zerostrategist A2: Also lack of top cover, the absence of strong leadership or change champions can lead to cause drift, a lack of direction

    realize_ink @tomjd Good pt re: Chase & Pepsi, etc. More collaboration b/t companies might cr8 less fatigue, more change in long run.

    zerostrategist @memeshift Couldn’t agree more I have seen lack of internal engagement increase the turnover rates of organizations

    memeshift @tomjd keen call, man. Attention is valuable. If something *really* important comes along, than what?

    tomjd @memeshift Exactly. And while some orgs do win big from these comps most end up w nothing except lost time/energy

    memeshift @zerostrategist leaders to step up. Absolutely. They gotta be passionate too.

    Q3. What strategies can be used to reinvigorate support for a cause when supporters get burned out?

    tomjd @zerostrategist Making it personal is important – sharing personal stories, not just statistics, not just portraying victims

    memeshift @tomjd dig that – not just portraying victims. Easy to take dignity away, difficult to restore.

    yellowbuzz Perhaps getting away frm the ‘victim’ language is crucial. “victim” objectifies people in need – taking away thr agency

    zerostrategist @yellowbuzz For sure the language you choose to use matters deeply should be customized for audience, empowering & calls to action

    yellowbuzz @memeshift @zerostrategist Collaboration with other orgs/networks/indiv = a solution cure Cause Fatigue?

    zerostrategist @yellowbuzz Yes I def think that collaboration + cross pollination with other orgs/networks/indiv = a strategy 4 stopping fatigue

    memeshift @zerostrategist cross training #4change sounds like it could be a new cause in itself!

    zerostrategist @memeshift Heck yes! The great thing is that cross training partners would learn the pit falls, instead of learning the hard way

    realize_ink A3: Obvious answer is refined, more targeted messaging so it really resonates. Also need the *right* messengers.

    zerostrategist @memeshift @tomjd I think that burning social capital on contests / repeat mobilizing can cause burnout fatigue + diminish brand

    realize_ink So what’s keeping orgs from collaborating more if we know non-collab leads to c-fatigue? Brand protection? Is it worth it?

    karitas A3 celebrating successes of partner causes brings positivity across your movement

    zerostrategist @karitas RE A3 Making a point to celebrate victories & important milestones helps to re-energize across partner causes

    meshugavi A3 Bring emotion and faces into the way you communicate your mission.

    karitas @realize_ink its about going from a legacy mindset to a Put-yourself-out-of-business mindset. Collab is essential to meeting mission

    realize_ink @karitas Spot on! Wish more ppl, orgs, org leaders would share this view

    karitas @realize_ink me too! And when we don’t see how much our partners are doing, new orgs pop to “fill in the gap” and stratify support

    dpmichel 3. look to what is resonating and how your cause fits into that

    zerostrategist A3: Rotating your people across different sub-causes & partner campaigns can keep them fresh + lend more perspectives & ideas

    zerostrategist A3: Making sure everyone gets + are taking adequate vacation & sick time when they are ill goes a long way to improve participation

    neddotcom “strategies” used to reinvigorate support? Impact reporting. Traction and results. Quick feedback loops. Open collaboration.

    Q4. When do you expand your campaign to outreach to new supporters?

    tomjd @zerostrategist I would think those would be 2 diff campaigns – one for existing supporters, one for new. Need diff communication

    yellowbuzz @tomjd maybe the distinction is not so hard. a organizer-operator-supporter-peripheralsupporter-propagator continuum? #4change

    zerostrategist @yellowbuzz Like the idea here of the O-O-S-PS-P continuum, wish the there was no distinction. But there is much of the time.

    realize_ink I’m with @tomjd – sounds like 2 diff campaigns w diff messenging and messenger, but same ask #4Change

    zerostrategist @realize_ink @tomjd They do require different comm strategies as long as the objectives are different, but combine what you can.

    Q5. When do you contract your campaign to focus on the supporters you do have?

    MeganMurray A5 #4Change Consistently.. but with respect to their time. Consistency is important.

    zerostrategist @MeganMurray RE A5 Meaning that keeping the campaign effective, requires continuous trimming? No big cuts or sudden drops?

    MeganMurray @zerostrategist #4Change Moderating vs. trimming. These are relationships. They operate in waves, you have to respond to those rhythms.

    Q6. What tools can be used to keep communities engaged in the midst of cause fatigue?

    memeshift @zerostrategist A6 a simple hello (Tweet, email, txt, call) before you even need anything, I reckon.

    socialedge #4Change chat is pondering What strategies can be used to reinvigorate support for a cause when supporters get burned out? RT’d by hnajam

    socialedge #4change @bbravo http://bit.ly/aUOJLZ @hildygottlieb @kanter http://bit.ly/9fTkU8 great resources for #socialmedia cure for cause fatigue

    realize_ink @socialedge Gr8 @kanter post, but even Soc Med fatigue exists. I hear “not another FB fan page!” a lot. Need variety of pltfrms

    realize_ink @zerostrategist A6: communication that doesn’t involve an ask. And, plenty of thank yous along the way.

    zerostrategist @realize_ink I like ur A6 I think that a soft approach tends to be more effective too! TYs are critical.

    yellowbuzz A6: a blog that archives work in progress. Documenting process engages communities, interested or semi-interested

    MeganMurray A6: Reward mechanisms and balanced engagement (meaning = ratio of rally & fun)

    rootwork A6: Describing your past successes – storytelling!

    memeshift Yes! RT’d @rootwork

    MeganMurray @rootwork Good one! Excellent point.

    rootwork @MeganMurray To me, organizational/movement histories are one of the key things that create sustainability, but often aren’t done

    MeganMurray @rootwork So true. Generally as a species we have a lil trouble learning from our past. ;)

    realize_ink A6: opportunity for change agents to “own” part of the process. Implement their own ideas working toward common goal.

    memeshift Yes! RT’d @real

    meshugavi A6 Celebrating small victories

    tomjd @meshugavi And identifying clearly how the work of supporters contributed to those victories

    insearchofsanuk Say Thank you. Often.

    meshugavi @tomjd yes @350 does a great job of that

    zerostrategist The KISS answer to A6: #blogs #wikis #forums #mashups #geo #microblogs #socialnetworks #socialbookmarks #cloudcomputing #badges

    yellowbuzz @zerostrategist How about something in-person, like an ice cream social?

    zerostrategist @yellowbuzz You know funny that you bring that up because cupcake socials seem to be a #socialmedia #meme & have raised a lot of $$

    yellowbuzz @zerostrategist Yes – FOOD #4change! We’ve mobilized lots of artists/enthusiasts/supporters with pancakes, donuts, cupcakes, scones indeed!

    memeshift @yellowbuzz nice! My current FB tagline: “media arts + pizza”

    realize_ink @zerostrategist I’m a huge fan of collaboration & working w multiple groups 2 time R asks & vary them so ppl dont get overloaded

    zerostrategist @yellowbuzz Something tasty (pastries, microbrews, eats) can be a powerful force to converge, mobilize, #4change and combat #cause #fatigue

    realize_ink @yellowbuzz @memeshift I know I’m always motivated by food. And, hey, I’m most causes’ target audience. :)

    realize_ink @socialedge Yes! Almost unusual to hear “offline” contact these days, but still so necessary. Long live meet-ups!

    zerostrategist A6: Use the tech tools sparingly (cause it can be the source of the burnout), have real world events that allow people to just be

    realize_ink A6: Also fond of influencer strat. Citizen ambassadors (non-celebrities!!) who champion the issue & inspire others 2 take action.

    rootwork @realize_ink Yes – and thus, map your network of support first (shades of @valdiskrebs)

    rootwork lesson #4change RT @echoditto Ben Wikler fr @avaaz on tcktcktck “Key to doing this effectively is listening to ppl you’re trying to inspire”

    Q7. How do economic conditions effect cause fatigue?

    rootwork #4change A7: People who have to work more are (or at least feel that they should be) volunteering less

    yellowbuzz @rootwork true, although unemployment can lead to more time for reflecting/mobilizing/getting-involved.

    rootwork @yellowbuzz I think it depends on your socioeconomic base. Those with means can volunteer for awhile, it’s true.

    rootwork @yellowbuzz NYT actually wrote about the phenomenon of well-to-do unemployed volunteering at higher rates http://nyti.ms/9CPyuL

    zerostrategist #4Change A7: Those with jobs will be expected to more for less…or else! :( Those who don’t will become more become more active!

    yellowbuzz A7: economic downturn motivates ppl to question status quo and existing social condition (one hopes). An opportunity #4change. 2 optimistic?

    zerostrategist A7: …as a result #change #fatigue will go up on both sides of the cause, creating pressure + stress, but also making opportunity

    socialedge @pamelahawley tips on engaging folks as volunteers http://bit.ly/a7cLb6 in bad econ-be part of something greater, gain new skills

    Q8. How can cause fatigue be prevented?

    insearchofsanuk Best strategy is not to let them get burnt out. Work #4change for the right reasons and dont let supporters loose sight of those.

    realize_ink @zerostrategist A8: keep campaign realistic and asks under control. And, whenever possible, collaborate, collaborate, collaborate.

    yellowbuzz A8: streamlined mission statement with clearly defined goals. a strong communication network that allows flexibility/feedback.

    zerostrategist @yellowbuzz You are right Wendy if you don’t have those things lined up, #cause #fatigue will ensue…the trick is to be dynamic 2

    zerostrategist A8: I think an emphasis on the informal tends to be a most effective way to involve and educate is what lasts over the long term

    dwightturner Variety. Have diverse ways people can participate. Know the signs of burn out. Make people take breaks.

    zerostrategist I think @dwightturner is right on this one, the secret to preventing #cause #fatigue is to know the signs and know your people

    yellowbuzz @dwightturner totally agreed. Spread the networks widely. a #4Change diaspora? agents in various locations/backgrounds can refresh org

    realize_ink A8: Needs to be fairly organic. Let change agents, not org, play key role. Org sets goals, agents can guide tactics, platforms.

    yellowbuzz A8: media/event-detox – reconnect with close friends and family – reevaluate/reflect life’s mission
    Q9. How do you “recharge” when completely fatigued?

    rootwork Is Q9 about us as organizers/staffers, or how we encourage supporters/volunteers to recharge?

    realize_ink @zerostrategist are we talking internal recharge?

    zerostrategist @realize_ink Totally an open question answer it however YOU like! :)

    realize_ink A9: If internal, I’d again lead with the thank yous. Not nearly enuf expressed to staff, organizers.

    rootwork A9: Valentines to your volunteers!

    insearchofsanuk Why did you participate to begin with? Clear distractions & let the initial energy be used to reinvigorate you.

    realize_ink A9: Personally, I go back to root source & remind myself why I’m championing the cause in the 1st place. Works wonders!

    insearchofsanuk @realize_ink whoa. we tweet alike

    zerostrategist A9: The way I recharge #4Change: disconnect from technology, be with family, friends, nature, ocean and just being me http://bit.ly/aMySug

    socialedge “what if we could create a way to give back that doesn’t feel like sacrifice at all?” http://bit.ly/dvOxr7

    realize_ink A9: Our shop has volunteer days -use work days 2 cr8 hands-on change. Often gets folks recharged. Goes back to letting agents lead.

    realize_ink @zerostrategist Yes! Falling off the grid is a fabulous recharge. Think we all need to do it more often.

    zerostrategist Lastly I want to dedicate today / this month’s #4Change Chat to @engagejoe who is currently recharging in the mountains of Vermont

    Chat Resource Roundup

    I know everyone appreciates case studies and links to resources that #4Change Chat participants share. While the conversation is happening not everyone has the time to click through and read all of the resources. So here is a round up of the relevant links shared:

    Disaster Donations in the age of Disruption -

    http://philanthropy.blogspot.com/2010/01/disaster-donations-in-age-of-disruption.html

    Why We are in the Age of the Citizen Philanthropist –

    http://mashable.com/2010/01/28/citizen-philanthropist/

    Issue Fighting for Attention and Funds in an Aware World –

    http://www.socialedge.org/discussions/funding/issue-fatigue-2013-fighting-for-attention-and-funds-in-an-aware-world-1

    Chase Community Giving Contest Ends With Yet More Controversy –

    http://beth.typepad.com/beths_blog/2010/01/chase-giving-contest-winners-announced-amidst-controversy-.html?cid=6a00d8345159b069e20120a801b3a7970b

    Without a Job, but Working on the Campaign Trail –

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/08/nyregion/08campaigns.html?_r=1

    Help Maximizing Volunteer Impact -

    http://www.socialedge.org/discussions/business-building/archive/2009/09/10/help-maximizing-volunteer-impact

    Issue Fatigue: What’s The Cure? –

    http://havefundogood.blogspot.com/2009/02/issue-fatigue-whats-cure.html

    The Social Enterprise Conference: Reflections on Service –

    http://www.socialearth.org/reflections-on-service-and-the-social-enterprise-conference

    Disclosure – This post is cross-posted on Zero Strategist and #4Change Blog

     

  • #4Change February Twitter Chat Topic: Cause Fatigue

    Zero Strategist 5:57 pm on February 9, 2010 | Comments Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , ,

    Running campaigns in support of one or many great causes can be very time consuming and demanding for all of those who are determined to make a change. It seems easier in the beginning when a fresh campaign for a cause is just launched – supporters are jumping on board, influencers are engaged, buzz is flying about, awareness is spreading, change is happening. But what happens when the social magic begins to wear off and change starts to feel more like a chore then a contribution?

    The #4Change Topic for February is Cause Fatigue. The Twitter chat will occur on Thursday, February 11th 2010 at 5PM EST / 2PM PST US. The topic idea for this month’s chat was spawned during last month’s #4Change chat on campaigning. In keeping with the tradition of these chats, we want to keep things open, organic, and dynamic.

    Definitions:

    Fatigue (Noun)

    • temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
    • boredom resulting from overexposure to something
    • the feeling of being bored by something tedious
    • a flaw or weak point

    Fatigue (Verb)

    • get tired of something or somebody
    • exhaust or tire through overuse or great strain or stress

    Source: Visual Thesaurus

    #4Change February Chat Questions:

    1. How do you define cause fatigue?
    2. What are some of the contributing factors to cause fatigue?
    3. What strategies can be used to reinvigorate support for a cause when supporters get burned out?
    4. When do you expand your campaign to outreach to new supporters?
    5. When do you contract your campaign to focus on the supporters you do have?
    6. What tools can be used to keep communities engaged in the midst of cause fatigue?
    7. How do economic conditions effect cause fatigue?
    8. How can cause fatigue be prevented?
    9. How do you “recharge” when completely fatigued?

    New to #4Change? Learn More:

    To learn more about #4Change monthly twitter chat go to the #4Change Blog, read about #4Change and search twitter for #4Change. To participate just join in twitter conversation from anywhere in the world.

    Disclosure – This post is cross-posted on Zero Strategist and #4Change Blogs

     

  • How to Facilitate Effective #4change Chats (Or Any Global Twitter Chat)

    Morgan 2:38 am on January 28, 2010 | Comments Permalink | Reply
    Tags: how to

    Participating in the monthly #4change chats can be a rewarding experience.  You get to connect with a lot of people (globally!) and seed ideas that you couldn’t normally.  While the nature of the chats are informal, their value comes from the knowledge and connection you gain in the conversation.

    They do take a bit of coordination though – and I am a perpetual newbie at it:

    • What needs to happen before a chat to prepare?
    • What happens if no one attends?
    • How do you find questions to ask?
    • How do you keep the conversation going?

    Thankfully, our core #4change team has some great collective experience on running Twitter chats.

    Here are my formatted and remixed versions of their responses:

    What needs to happen before a chat to prepare?

    Amy : “blog posts, tweets, share on facebook, etc.”

    Tom : I think it’s preparation that makes a good chat:

    • having questions prepared
    • reaching out to relevant people to participate
    • strong general publicity/buzz building

    Tash : For me, preparation is similar to an offline discussion environment:

    • preparing links and resources
    • thinking about discussion questions(and running them past people who are experts in the area)
    • thinking about how the conversation might flow from one topic to another and so on

    Hot tip: I’ve also found it helps to do a mixture of general tweets about the event to all my followers, and specific invites to people who would add expertise and particular points of view to the conversation.

    Eddie: Identify influencers and invite through multi channels; perhaps email is more personal/ one-on-one.

    Hot tip: Vary each chat with people – early adopters, newbies, specialized knowledge brokers: adds value to the chat.


    What happens if no one attends?

    Amy: Well, you should at least have the 4change crew attending! and hopefully it wouldn’t take long for us to have a conversation that’s interesting that pulls in others.

    Hot tip: As part of the item above, it’s helpful I found to invite people directly via twitter the day or so before to be sure it’s on their radar.

    Morgan: It seems this can be a problem with offline events too!  I’d venture that it goes back to having a strong ‘core’ of people to work with + marketing (a week in advance, a day before, the day of).  Would love to hear from other Twitter convo leaders on this…#journchat?  What say you?


    How do you find questions to ask?

    Amy: With the January topic for example, I thought about all of the issues and valuable conversations that could come from a discussion on the topic and then boiled those down to the open-ended questions that would invite such issues or conversations to emerge.

    • Hot tip: I posted the questions the morning-of in the original blog post so that I had them to refer to.


    How do you keep the conversation going?

    Amy: I tried to pace questions about every 15-30 min, depending on how the tweet stream was going.  I also never, I don’t think, actually answered a question myself…

    Hot tip: …(ask) people to dive deeper into their comments or further explain their thoughts – that…(means)…a one tweet answer would become 4 tweets of explanation that others…(can)…comment on.

    Tom: With good questions and some good guests conversation seems to flow pretty naturally. You’ll know when it’s time to move to the next question based on the volume and quality of the conversation going on, but once you do I think moving clearly on to the next question is critical, otherwise the conversation bleeds too much (it will always do this a bit) and becomes confusing.

    Hot tip: monitor the volume and quality of the conversation constantly.  That way, you’ll know when it’s time to move on to the next question.

    Tash: Once the conversation starts, I think it’s a matter of watching the discussion level and adapting the question flow to that.  As Amy says, asking people to expand on particular points or provide case studies can also be a way to draw out conversation rather than going on to the next question.

    Eddie: moderate talking through backchannels (Skype, GChat) – to anticipate/coordinate should any problems arise. Identify two or three key learning outcomes/action points.  Parapharsing and reflecting conversation – ensure ppl understand tweets. (through RTs and questions).

    • Hot tip: have a back channel set up with your core staff to anticipate/coordinate should the need arise.  Twitter has been known to fail…


    In Closing

    I’d also like to add a note about follow up.  It’s good to say thank you to all participants (you are still demanding peoples’ ideas and attention).  It should also go without saying that a ‘recap’ should be written by the moderator highlighting some key take-aways from the conversation.

    Hot tip: as a final question, ask what key ‘take aways’ participant had from the conversation – it’ll make writing that recap much easier!

    As these are global conversations, you’ll be chatting with people in different time zones.  Try to be sensitive to their needs as they may need to go offline after a long day (or perhaps still need more sleep!).  For reference, our Twitter chats run the 2nd Thursday of the month at 2pm PST which corresponds to:

    • 5-7pm US Eastern Time (GMT-4)
    • 10pm-12am UK
    • 7-9am Australian EST (on the second Friday of the month)

    What kinds of tips or suggestions might you have to add?  Anything you might change or subtract?

    *Big thanks to Amy Sample Ward for originally writing about Using Twitter for a Global Conversation too!

     

  • Campaigning #4change Recap

    amysampleward 12:38 pm on January 15, 2010 | Comments Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , online campaigns, recap

    Starting off 2010, the monthly #4change Twitter chat focused on the topic of campaigning with social media.  There were quite a few participants and some really great conversation.  I’ve tried to pull out some of the relevant tweets from the Twitter stream to help follow the flow of the conversation in case you missed it.

    This is more of a transcript than a recap, more of what I hope can be a refresher or stimulator for follow up blogs than simply the whole story itself.  Please leave a comment or use the #4change hashtag to tweet  your post if you do write something of your own!

    Question 1: How do we define campaigning in the context of social media?

    amysampleward: does growing a Facebook Fan page numbers count? does growing an email list count? what about calls to action that aren’t online?

    rootwork: In terms of #s, the easiest things to measure (FB fans, Twitter followers, web hits) seem least useful in online organizing

    rootwork: I strongly believe list building w/ petitions etc. that are NOT actually effective for the movement is abusive of one’s supporters

    annanten: @rootwork list building is just a strategy to engage more folks in your campaign

    ChristinasWorld: I think campaigning has to do w/achieving a particular end – not building a fb fan page, but using that page to achieve x, y or z

    engagejoe: Hmm…What about ‘using webby tools 2 organize ppl for impact on an array of issues, w/the goal of creating real world change?’

    annanten: @rootwork list building is just a strategy to engage more folks in your campaign

    rootwork: @annanten To me the goal should be change, not growing one’s base. 200 engaged members are better than 20,000 petition-signers

    SethHorwitz: Seth from Philly here @rootwork altho building lists is not signif per se, NE1 of those low barrier entrants may bcome an advocate

    realize_ink: Q1. A campaign (in my definition) is anything that mobilizes action

    annanten: social media is here to help you empower your followers with a story to create powerful activists for your cause

    lozz: @amysampleward Campaigning is obsolete – social media disrupts “start-end” mentality – constantly adapting efforts now

    paddaniels: @realize_ink SM changing the way we see campaigning as not only r small acts of giving visible but so is the collective outcome

    ChristinasWorld: building a network of awareness is different from campaigning: 1) campaigning is about mobilizing action toward specific objectives 

    ChristinasWorld: 2) Network building is about communicating, telling stories, & building trust over time

    realize_ink: @ChristinasWorld I agree completely! Good campaigns move away from awareness 2 spur action

    annanten: @engagejoe online campaigning = (relationship building + storytelling) * shared cause ^ common goal

    SethHorwitz: @ChristinasWorld: agree w/ distinction betw. network building (awareness, trust) and campaigning (action). Both important.

    Question #2: what are some of the best examples you’ve seen? Why are they great?

    @elliotharmon Here’s a good example from just today of the wrong way to use social media http://bit.ly/88sR45

    creativegreeniu: The 350 campaign is one of the best uses of social media I’ve experienced and it worked on a worldwide basis.

    creativegreeniu: and why the 350 campaign worked is because it effectively reached a diverse demographic & moved them to action on a complex goal

    ChristinasWorld: @kanter’s recent campaign 4 Sharing Found. was amazing – what made it great was existing network ready to take action when called

    5MillionPeople: GetUp in Oz do it well. Many of their online campaigns are short and sharp.

    cian: Big up to @350’s work. So successful at creating real world actions. do they in themselves create behavioral change too

    realize_ink: @creativegreeniu I’d add to that, it succeeded b/c it moved ppl toward a *specific* goal

    5MillionPeople: @realize_ink: Agreed. Works best when people can see that action leads to affect. Specific goals help focus.

    neddotcom: Another campaign worth mentioning http://twestival.com/

    rootwork: I remember a campaign from some time ago about getting more women on tech panels, but can’t find specific blogs abt it.

    annanten: @realize_ink @rootwork indeed – it was @WomenWhoTech who lead that – http://bit.ly/y2twf

    rootwork: I think the Jena Six was an early (though not the first) success of social media campaigns http://bit.ly/5hKmih

    rootwork: The Powershift youth climate change conf in 2007 was also largely organized via social media http://bit.ly/8MyWtH

    elliotharmon: Great example of organizing people online: Sean Tevis campaign. http://bit.ly/5VSjxh

    rootwork: @tomjd @bensaint My Society @mysociety is incredibly awesome. Produce great tools for effective UK campaigns

    Question #3: What are elements in these examples that are integral to the campaign’s success?

    realize_ink: Q3: specific ask.

    rootwork: Key element for success, to me, is allowing ppl to speak in own voice, e.g. http://jointheimpact.com was abt ppl, not an org

    rootwork: Creating a sustainable org #4change is good, but not at the expense of cultivating leadership among activists IMO

    rootwork: Great repository of online campaigns #4change can be found at @DigiActive – lots to analyze: http://bit.ly/4BbKWG

    creativegreeniu: Direct contact from national 350 organizers incredibly effective in motivating me. I used that tactic locally 2 move others to act.

    creativegreeniu: first step is recognizing value & necessity of it and specifically asking campaigners to do it.

    zerostrategist: Q3: I think Access 2 the net, uncensored information, being unmonitored or not fearing reprisals for being an active are important

    engagejoe: ‘An element that’s integral 2 a campaign’s success?’ Agree w/@rootwork’s highlights: truly valuing & empowering supporters is key.

    zerostrategist: Google / China comes to mind! Thank god for SMS, proxy servers & smart mobs right?

    ChristinasWorld: key to good campaign is offering meaningful action for supporters to take; having a network who is ready to take action helps alot

    realize_ink: Q3: empowerment & ownership

    realize_ink: @amysampleward Giving ppl the opportunity 2 make it their own. Like @350 encouraged ppl’s cr8ivity 2 bring change but hd 1 ask<

    ChristinasWorld: @amysampleward sharing thru soc med can help maintain an action network – don’t just talk to supporters when u need something

    5MillionPeople: @amysampleward: A big part of it is surely about making sure your network feel their actions are having an effect.

    ChristinasWorld: Building an effective network #4change who is ready 2 take action requires consistency – sharing stories, building trust in an ongoing way

    rootwork: Be honest w/ppl about how a given action gets the movement closer to change. Like a lg version of mission line-of-sight

    neddotcom: Cluetrain may be 10 years old, but was 20 years ahead of its time, very related to social media today http://cluetrain.com/

    ehon: Online campaigning – the power offer to stakeholders needs to be designed and executed properly & strategically.

    Question #4: What are the most difficult aspects of managing/running a campaign?

    engagejoe:  another best-practice for online campaigning? making it about the cause, not the org(s) that’s coordinating it.

    rootwork Giving up control.

    ehon: @engagejoe @rootwork valuing & empowering is obvious. Most campaigns lack long-term strategic plan to keep momentum flowing.

    SocialBttrfly: @amysampleward For me, one of the more frustrating items, not nec. difficult, is overcoming the campaign mentality.

    SocialBttrfly: Along lines of what @ehon was saying. Needs a strategic plan. Most campaigns address short term and focus on one P, promotion.

    realize_ink: Q4: in some instances, seeing campaign as a tactic, not the entire strategy.

    realize_ink: camp strat brings u closer 2 achieving org strat. camp success = met org objective. org success = worked out of a job.

    ChristinasWorld: Q4 I think keeping up campaign momentum can be tiring for campaign champions. I hate that feeling of bugging people

    zerostrategist: @ChristinasWorld It IS tiring, mastering the art of the “light touch / soft ask” is not easy to keep that campaign momentum going

    zerostrategist: @ChristinasWorld I found that when you run a great social media campaign, other champions and supporters can help keep that going

    SocialBttrfly I personally like the term “initiative” vs. “campaign.” “Initiative” tends to get people motivated and is action-focused.

    neddotcom: Is your campaign for good push or pull? America’s Giving Challenge = push vs. Kiva peer-to-peer microfinance = pull

    neddotcom: Pull can be more effective because people are coming directly to you, hopefully in great numbers and ready to do something

    SocialBttrfly: I can expand in a post. In ways, it’s semantics. But the word campaign, to me, says push rather than a fueling a movement.

    ehon: Challenge w online campaign – lots of sympathisers not enough activists. Inspiration doesn’t transform to action.

    rootwork: .@ehon That’s why “awareness-building” is such a limited goal. I’ll take “action-building” or “change-building”!

    zerostrategist: @ehon Might be right about that challenge, but I have seen the reverse too. Where everyone wants to lead but no one wants 2 follow

    Question #5: What are the best ways for would-be campaigners to identify possible collaborators/partners?

    engagejoe:  w/online campaigning, seems a (natural?) challenge 2 coordinate w/other movement builders working on same issue

    rootwork: With social media, it seems easy (maybe too easy!) to find the natural leaders & activists and bring them into the “inner circle”

    rootwork: But I think that leadership cultivation is key. Someone always Tweeting out yr action alerts? See if they want to help plan them!

    ChristinasWorld: Q5  thinking of @kanter & #tweetsgiving, seems clear that existing networks built over time produce strong natural collaborators

    ChristinasWorld: btw – meant @kanter’s recent b-day campaign & #tweetsgiving from @epicchange as 2 examples where collaborators identify themselves

    engagejoe:  w/@christinasworld that building on & seeking connections from yr ntworks makes for a gr8 starting place 2 find potential partners

    Question #6 – something people always ask me:  how do you measure impact of campaigns (esp w/ social media)?

    ChristinasWorld: Measuring impact of #4change soc med campaigns: count unique actions/donors/RTs/shares/posts… but most important, was objective achieved?

    zerostrategist: Q6 Most SM people say that it’s the number of “social actions” taken during campaign period, but I think it is much more then that #4change

    zerostrategist: Q6: The fact is many things are just just not measurable even with the best tools so pay, attention to tangibles & intangibles!

    zerostrategist: Q6: Do the best u can to setup automated systems to capture metrics, look at the numbers, but don’t obsess over them or the ROI

    Steveistall: @zerostrategist Agreed! It’s much more important to measure outcomes (especially behaviour change) than to measure outputs

    engagejoe:  w/@zerostrategist that “How do you measure impact?” will never be as easy as counting clicks, challenges & solutions too complex.

    engagejoe:  few measurement of success: Did you build relationships? Is the mvmnt bigger, stronger? Are we closer 2 our goals?

    zerostrategist: @ChristinasWorld Like how can you measure the depth of a “social action” or an interaction with a human (virtual or physical)?

    sdmediareform: Measure campaigns by if it is helping advance community exposure. Ask around…

    engagejoe:  social media also offers a gr8 opportunity 2 discover, seek out, & highlight the stories which may show the success of a campaign

    —–

    Future chats:

    The idea was suggested during the chat last night that next month we discuss the issue of “Cause Fatique.”  I think there are lots of stories to tell, questions to ask, and examples to share on this topic and hope you’ll join us!

    You can stay on top of the #4change topic by following the hashtag on Twitter or following the blog at:

    http://4change.memeshift.com

     

  • January #4Change Topic: Campaigning

    amysampleward 2:59 pm on January 3, 2010 | Comments Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , campaigns, case studies, Delicious, , , , strategy,

    The January #4Change Twitter Chat will focus on the use of Twitter and other social media tools in campaigning.

    About the Topic

    Campaigning can mean many different things and we want to keep the definition of the topic fairly open for this chat, in order to keep insights, resources and conversation in the Q/A format as open to valuable input as possible.  Here are some ways that campaigning can be framed for the purpose of this chat:

    • moving canvassing door to door to online networks
    • political action
    • local community building
    • tying communications, partners, and actions together via social media
    • social change projects or programs locally or globally

    The way we examine the use of social media in campaigning can be further framed in some of these ways:

    1. change campaigns (internal vs external), also organization type variations
    2. social media change campaigns (specific nuances)
    3. change campaigns vs political campaigns (similarities vs differences)
    4. educational campaigns (organizational / institutional / internet) riffing off of last month’s topic
    5. building campaign coalitions & recruiting campaign champions

    How to Participate

    Share your ideas now:

    You can share your ideas about the topic as well as any resources, case studies, examples, research etc. by leaving a comment on this blog post.  Or, you can tag your resources or posts using Delicious with the tag “4change” and we’ll pick it up for you.

    Join the Twitter chat:

    1. If you want to contribute to the conversation, you’ll need to have a twitter account (it’s free).
    2. To follow the conversation (whether you are planning to contribute or not), use http://search.twitter.com or another application to search on Twitter for #4Change
    3. Jump in to the conversation by adding #4Change to your Twitter message
    4. Feeling brave? Check out TweetChat – it’s a great application that integrates with your Twitter account and makes chats more fun! You can turn it off after the chat.

    Rules for #4Change Chat

    1. #4Change will be structured around a series of questions which all participants can respond to. Send your questions to @memeshift to have them considered.
    2. Introduce yourself in 1 tweet at the start or when you join.
    3. Stay on topic!
    4. Be cool.

    Details

    • Date: January, 14th 2010
    • When: 2 – 4 pm US Pacific Time, 5 – 7 pm US Eastern Time, 10pm – 12am London, UK (Late!)
    • Where: Twitter (search for #4Change)
    • Topic: Campaigning: How is social/new media affecting the the way we build and conduct campaigns? and more!

    We’ll update this post with specific questions to be asked during the chat and will capture resources and conversations from the chat, too.  Send us your ideas!

    —–

    UPDATE: Here are the conversation starters we’ll be using in tonight’s chat.

    1. How do we define campaigning in the context of social media?
    - does growing a Facebook Fan page numbers count?
    - does growing an email list count?
    - what about calls to action that aren’t online?

    2. Given our definition, what are some of the best examples you’ve seen? Why?

    3. What are elements in these examples that are integral to the campaign’s success?

    4. What are the most difficult aspects of managing/running a campaign?

    5. What are the best ways for would-be campaigners to identify possible collaborators/partners?
    - other orgs to champion campaign
    - sponsors to put some skin ($) in the game
    - influencers and influential communities to reach out to and engage

    Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

     

    • Cian O'Donovan 12:23 pm on January 14, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Looking forward to the #4change chat all, unfortunately I'll be on a train for most but I'll catch it on the other side I hope.

    • Frugal Dougal 12:44 pm on January 14, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      A very good idea that coulp complement the use of shoe leather and meetings in draughty rooms to bring about change but, please God, not replace them.

    • Morgan Sully 4:42 pm on January 14, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      great chat today so far – @engagejoe @ChristinasWorld: future topic on cause fatigue and growing networks over time looks like a winner – “Growing Your Network Over Time Without Working Over Time”:)

    • cian 7:23 pm on January 14, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Looking forward to the #4change chat all, unfortunately I'll be on a train for most but I'll catch it on the other side I hope.

    • Frugal Dougal 7:44 pm on January 14, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      A very good idea that coulp complement the use of shoe leather and meetings in draughty rooms to bring about change but, please God, not replace them.

    • Morgan Sully 11:42 pm on January 14, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      great chat today so far – @engagejoe @ChristinasWorld: future topic on cause fatigue and growing networks over time looks like a winner – “Growing Your Network Over Time Without Working Over Time”:)

  • December #4change Chat: Education

    Morgan 1:34 pm on December 9, 2009 | Comments Permalink | Reply

    About This Chat

    Education and it’s discontents are being changed by new ways of learning – much of it by new ways of creating, sharing and validating information and knowledge online.  Tools and methods are being customized, adapted and remixed for various educational contexts.  Classrooms are no longer bound by geography.  But there are still barriers, still challenges – some of which we may not be able to predict.  How can we attend to these?

    This chat will cover the changing role(s) of teachers, institutions and learners – and how they are affected and transformed by new/social media.

    Details

    • Date: December, 10th 2009
    • When: 2 – 4 pm US Pacific Time, 5 – 7 pm US Eastern Time, 10pm – 12am London, UK (Late!)
    • Where: Twitter (search for #4Change)
    • Topic: Education: How is social/new media affecting the future of education?

    Starter questions

    Below, are some starter questions for our chat.  Have another question not attended to below?  Leave a comment below and tag it with #4change (there’ll be an option to Tweet it out)

    • Are classrooms relevant anymore?
    • How can we support the role of educators?
    • What happens when education becomes decentralized?
    • What role does gaming play in education?
    • How can we leverage the stability of traditional institutions while encouraging the adaptability of new networks?
    • How can we reconcile extreme diversity with coherent and appropriate learning communities?

    Join the Conversation!

    1. If you want to contribute to the conversation, you’ll need to have a twitter account (it’s free).
    2. To follow the conversation (whether you are planning to contribute or not), use http://search.twitter.com or another application to search on Twitter for #4Change
    3. Jump in to the conversation by adding #4Change to your Twitter message
    4. Feeling brave? Check out TweetChat – it’s a great application that integrates with your Twitter account and makes chats more fun! You can turn it off after the chat.

    Rules for #4Change Chat

    1. #4Change will be structured around a series of questions which all participants can respond to. Send your questions to @memeshift to have them considered.
    2. Introduce yourself in 1 tweet at the start or when you join.
    3. Stay on topic!
    4. Be cool.

    Resources

    Below are some great places to draw from before, during and after our chat!

    1. Resilient School Communities
    2. Amplified Educators and Learners
    3. A Global Learning Economy
    4. Design as Philosophy
    5. Contested Authorities
    6. Diversifying Learning Geographies: Deserts and Oases

    Join us for the chat this Thursday – I look forward to discussing the role social media (and teachers!) can play in shaping the future of education.

     

    • Morgan Sully 5:33 pm on December 10, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Report back on December #4change chat: Feel free to add in your own takeaways from today!

      In attendance: @timjeffries, @zerostrategist, @amysampleward, @ehon, @tomjd, @danmcquillan

      Here's some of my takeaways/quotes and who said them:

      @timjeffries
      I think classrooms have a place still, we use them as a safe space to debrief what we've learnt out in the city.
      if you don't know what ur doing with tech or don't believe what you are teaching, they'll know
      Students know that teachers don't know everything (who possibly could?). So why pretend? Learn together
      I think integrity is really important. Particularly teenagers have great bullshit detectors.

      @zerostrategist
      think when education becomes more decentralized, it becomes more accessible to other people who normally can't/don't participate
      power shifts to the students, it reemphasises relationships in learning.
      web 2.0 presents a unique opportunity to humanize teachers & thus make materials more accessible to students
      While some need to write more to learn, others need to listen, or see or apply the material in different settings.
      Also remember every individual student has their own learning style, some based on different combos of experience

      @ehon
      tailored to small niche rather than big generalise lecture. creates more diversity, build more individual potentials.
      i think the shift is for students to learn to do – rather than to learn 'about'.
      physical attendance at lectures is still deem important to traditional academics.
      academics reported easier to reach n engage students but most academics couldnt be bothered to learn to use it
      great n quick way of sharing resources but mixed rxns. Some students don't like academics access their private life.

      @tomjd
      here's some great examples of using cell phones for literacy http://bit.ly/503IXF. Mobile + social tech critical 2 edu

      @socialedge
      Classrooms key @ Digital StudyHall video tech extend reach of skilled teachers into underprivileged classrooms http://bit.ly/8AV8Oc
      No classroom @ Khan Academy-900 videos YouTube-w/6 million views-arithmetic to calculus, chemistry, physics http://bit.ly/8Kf4cR

      @memeshift
      Educator's job is to shed light on the learning goal, but encourage individual paths to that.
      brilliant example on teaching kids about the internet #twitterkids http://bit.ly/6dAfd1

      If you've got any others, feel free to reply to this comment.

    • Morgan Sully 12:33 am on December 11, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Report back on December #4change chat: Feel free to add in your own takeaways from today!

      In attendance: @timjeffries, @zerostrategist, @amysampleward, @ehon, @tomjd, @danmcquillan

      Here's some of my takeaways/quotes and who said them:

      @timjeffries
      I think classrooms have a place still, we use them as a safe space to debrief what we've learnt out in the city.
      if you don't know what ur doing with tech or don't believe what you are teaching, they'll know
      Students know that teachers don't know everything (who possibly could?). So why pretend? Learn together
      I think integrity is really important. Particularly teenagers have great bullshit detectors.

      @zerostrategist
      think when education becomes more decentralized, it becomes more accessible to other people who normally can't/don't participate
      power shifts to the students, it reemphasises relationships in learning.
      web 2.0 presents a unique opportunity to humanize teachers & thus make materials more accessible to students
      While some need to write more to learn, others need to listen, or see or apply the material in different settings.
      Also remember every individual student has their own learning style, some based on different combos of experience

      @ehon
      tailored to small niche rather than big generalise lecture. creates more diversity, build more individual potentials.
      i think the shift is for students to learn to do – rather than to learn 'about'.
      physical attendance at lectures is still deem important to traditional academics.
      academics reported easier to reach n engage students but most academics couldnt be bothered to learn to use it
      great n quick way of sharing resources but mixed rxns. Some students don't like academics access their private life.

      @tomjd
      here's some great examples of using cell phones for literacy http://bit.ly/503IXF. Mobile + social tech critical 2 edu

      @socialedge
      Classrooms key @ Digital StudyHall video tech extend reach of skilled teachers into underprivileged classrooms http://bit.ly/8AV8Oc
      No classroom @ Khan Academy-900 videos YouTube-w/6 million views-arithmetic to calculus, chemistry, physics http://bit.ly/8Kf4cR

      @memeshift
      Educator's job is to shed light on the learning goal, but encourage individual paths to that.
      brilliant example on teaching kids about the internet #twitterkids http://bit.ly/6dAfd1

      If you've got any others, feel free to reply to this comment.

  • Volunteering #4change

    Natasha 3:10 pm on November 2, 2009 | Comments Permalink | Reply

    Social media and new technology are changing the way we recruit and manage volunteers.  They’re also changing how we define the concept of volunteering.  New forms of participation such as micro-volunteering, and web-generated events such as Twestival, are changing the way people are coming together to raise funds, donate their time and make a difference in their local and global community.

    Our next #4change chat, on Thursday 12 November, will look at how the volunteering landscape is changing.  Join us for a global conversation, sharing ideas, best practice, links and resources.

    How to join the chat

    1. If you want to contribute to the conversation, you’ll need to have a Twitter account (it’s free).
    2. To follow the conversation (whether you are planning to contribute or not), use  http://search.twitter.com/ or another application to search on Twitter for “#4Change”
    3. Jump in to the conversation by adding “#4Change” (without the “”) to your Twitter message
    4. Feeling brave? Check out TweetChat – it’s a great application that integrates with your Twitter account and makes chats more fun! You can turn it off after the chat.

    Rules for #4Change chat

    1. #4Change will be structured around a series of questions which all participants can respond to. Send your questions to @tashjudd or post them below to have them considered.
    2. Introduce yourself in 1 tweet at the start or when you join.
    3. Stay on topic!
    4. Be cool.

    A few links

    How social media’s changing volunteering

    Blog: Brave New World for Volunteering
    Blog: Sacrifice, optional and about other people (defining volunteering) 
    Blog: The Extraordinaries: Will micro-volunteering work?
    Article: NetSquared and the new wave of online volunteering

    Recruiting volunteers online

    VolunteerMatch
    Do-it
    All for Good

    A few interesting volunteering and participation initiatives

    The Extraordinaries
    Virtual volunteering
    Junction49
    Urbantastic
    Twestival

    Please comment below with other interesting links, case studies and questions you’d like to see raised during the chat.  Looking forward to seeing you all online on the 12th.

     

  • Next #4Change Twitter Chat: Social Media & the Climate Change Movement - Join Us!

    engagejoe 7:05 pm on October 6, 2009 | Comments Permalink | Reply

    Every month, a group called #4Change organizes open & lively conversations about how web-connected communities and our use of social media tools are helping to create change in the world. #4Change Chats are hosted on Twitter – Read “Join the Conversation” below for ways to jump into the discussion.

    The next #4change chat is this Thursday – we hope you can join us!

    Details:

    • Date: Oct, 8th
    • Where: Twitter (search for #4Change)
    • When: 2 – 4 pm US Pacific Time, 5 – 7 pm US Eastern Time, 10pm – 12am London, UK (Late!)
    • Topic: How does the web & social media change the way we address climate change?


    (Image from Blog Action Day - their topic this year is also climate change!)

    We are at a crucial moment in time for the climate movement (and all of humanity). World leaders are meeting in Copenhagen in December to draft the next major global climate treaty – and organizations, communities, and people from every corner of the planet are stepping up to make sure this treaty gets our planet back on a sustainable path. Copenhagen is a galvanizing force that’s driving a lot of innovations and experiments – which means there’s going to be lots to discuss! Many of the questions we explore will likely also be applicable to other movements.

    Starting the Conversations:

    Here are some questions to consider:

    • How does online discussion and networking connect with and support offline action?
    • How does the web change the way we organize for climate action? What are the key ways the game gets changed?
    • What role does new media & storytelling play in this space?
    • What are the impact of online petitions and how can they be most effective?
    • How can we help connect & empower the climate movement together using online tools? What technologies are both available & needed?
    • How can the web facilitate culture shifts? As network weavers, how can we faciitate culture shifts?
    • What are the top actions the social media community can take to join and support the climate movement?

    And here are some examples to consider:

    • TckTckTck, 350.org, Avaaz, 1Sky, Energy Action Coalition, many others – All wired organizations working to catalyze and inspire people and communities to come together and take action for the climate.
    • Project Survival – Seven new media teams, one for each continent, will report on the most compelling climate stories from around the world.
    • WiserEarth & WiserEarth API – Open database of over 100,000 environmental & social justice organizations anyone can search and webby folk can integrate into their site.

    Join the Conversation!

    1. If you want to contribute to the conversation, you’ll need to have a twitter account (it’s free).
    2. To follow the conversation (whether you are planning to contribute or not), use http://search.twitter.com or another application to search on Twitter for “#4Change”
    3. Jump in to the conversation by adding “#4Change” (without the “”) to your Twitter message
    4. Feeling brave? Check out TweetChat – it’s a great application that integrates with your Twitter account and makes chats more fun! You can turn it off after the chat.

    Rules for #4Change Chat

    1. #4Change will be structured around a series of questions which all participants can respond to. Send your questions to @engagejoe to have them considered.
    2. Introduce yourself in 1 tweet at the start or when you join.
    3. Stay on topic!
    4. Be cool.

    Join us for the chat this Thursday – looking forward to discussing the role social media can play in creating a safe climate future!

     

    • carolgregor 12:28 pm on October 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      CarolGregor.com,
      Builder, designer, writer, film maker
      What if the solutions we seek are impossible for only one reason? What if it is simple to accomplish your goals if there are different tools used in analyzing the problem?
      What if how we learn is the problem, not our ability to solve the problem?
      It is not what we know but how we see our connection that holds the solutions.
      Socrates”Man is the measure of all things”

    • Morgan Sully 5:56 pm on October 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      this is a great question! You're joining us today, right?

    • Morgan Sully 1:41 am on November 15, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      I'm helping environmental activist learn how to make media tomorrow that can be distributed online. Our main question is: how do we connect local stories to national stories having to do with environmental justice.

      Maps seem to be a great tool for visualizing these networks of collaborations, partnerships ans stories… Here's my link. Wish me luck!

      http://curiousworks.allaroundyou.com.au/2009/11...

    • oleander 2:16 am on February 8, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I am delighted to join this chat. Being a conservationist and a great lover of the outdoors, I am constantly looking for forums or social networking sites where I can learn more about our planet and meet interesting people. I am pretty sure this site will not disappoint.

    • nature essays 9:16 am on February 8, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I am delighted to join this chat. Being a conservationist and a great lover of the outdoors, I am constantly looking for forums or social networking sites where I can learn more about our planet and meet interesting people. I am pretty sure this site will not disappoint.

  • Non-profit video: Ashoka at the Clinton Global Initiative

    tomjd 3:09 pm on October 5, 2009 | Comments Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , video

    During the week of  September 21 I was laid up with a bad back and while I was it was very cool to see all the videos produced by the Ashoka Team at the Clinton Global Initiative. The increasing use of video at Ashoka, and at citizen sector organizations overall, is wonderful to see. A year ago Ashoka’s approach to video was very traditional – footage would be shot and, time-permitting, edited into something usable. Now the focus is on fast, one-take, minimally edited videos that can be shared live or very rapidly with our online audience. It’s our immersion into social media that inspires this new approach – being involved in a real-time conversation with our supporters and peers creates an emphasis on timeliness and humanness. To this end people from different parts of the Ashoka family where profiled at CGI: Fellows, staff and supporters.

    It was the first-time we’ve emphasized video as a reporting tool from a live event like this. We have learnt a lot from this pilot and will be using this learning to better cover future events, including our Tech 4 Society conference in Hyderabad India in February next year, one of the biggest gatherings we have hosted.

    These learnings include improved coordination between the production of videos and the conversation at and about the event. For instance, if we see an Ashoka Fellow or staff member saying something interesting or profound over their twitter feed we should try and grab them as soon as possible and get them to expand on those thoughts on video. This would more powerfully embed our videos into the conversation, rather than just using the twitter conversation as just an outreach platform.

    The ongoing development of Ashoka’s online communities and the clear interest and enthusiasm for stories from the Ashoka network has inspired this greater focus on developing timely content that can be shared with these communities. The understanding of the importance and benefits of this approach is becoming widespread across the organization, such that it barely requires me to suggest let alone implement these efforts. And that, to me, is the most exciting thing of all, evidence of the real culture-change taking place at Ashoka as we become more social, more participatory and more focused on storytelling.

    Here are a couple of my favourite of our videos from CGI:

    Ashoka Fellow Harmish Hande:

    And a super-cute video with my boss, head of Global Marketing Beverly Schwartz:

    You can see all the Ashoka CGI videos here.

    Tom is the Digital Marketing Strategist at Ashoka and a founder member of the 4change collective. This is cross-posted from Tom’s personal blog.

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