Philadelphia NetSquared Blog: 2010

Philadelphia Net Tuesdays, nonprofit technology, social change and the social web.

Join Deanna Zandt on Sept. 7

Our September Net Tuesday will feature author Deanna Zandt. Read more about Deanna’s book, Share This! How You Will Change the World with Social Networking, below, and join us on Sept. 7!

The times are not just a-changin’, they’re a-revolutionizin’! As social media becomes increasingly present in our everyday lives, a major democratic cultural shift is underway. Through the power of relationships, sharing of experiences, and organizing online, previously marginalized voices are pouring into and shaping public conversations like never before.

But serious change will not happen on its own. Despite the increasing presence of a diversity of voices and faces, the Internet isn’t fulfilling its disruptive potential; more often than not, it’s simply replicating and amplifying inequality and segregation. The good news? The fundamental building block common to every social movement is the power of the narrative. Your story… and your willingness to share others’ stories with your networks… can mean the difference between progressive change and perpetuating the status quo. We need you here, building and mapping your relationships, sharing your experience and creating pipelines of empathy and trust that will change the world.

This book is a blueprint for understanding why and how this medium of exchange works, and how our personal stories and daily experiences comprise a profoundly political picture that leads to social action and social change. Through a fun and accessible exploration of the intersection of philosophy, psychology, sociology and technology, it looks at how an historical convergence of forces has constructed a platform of immense possibility. Finally, the book offers concrete strategies and advice for both individuals and organizations looking to engage in this digital extension of our humanity. It shows, quite simply, how YOU will change the world.

Join Deanna Zandt at the September Net Tuesday!

Net Tuesday, August 3: Connecting the dots of your social media strategy

Connecting the dots of your social media strategy

“Connect the Dots” with social media for your nonprofit organization or social cause at our next Net Tuesday on August 3, beginning at 6:00 PM at Jenkins Law Library at 833 Chestnut (special directions below).

Our discussion will be led by Nicole Newman of Newman Networks, who will review some key social media principles and introduce a way to “connect the dots” of your social media strategy. Then several local nonprofits and activists will describe their own social media experiences, and we’ll help them “connect the dots” themselves.

This informative and highly interactive session is for anybody who wants to learn and share a fresh approach to advancing their nonprofit or social cause with social media.

Nicole Newman is a technology specialist helping organizations create executable plans for profitable results by increasing networking opportunities and efficient IT driven marketing solutions. She has worked with hundreds of organizations in 4 short years (online and offline) interweaving networks to create a better Philadelphia community. You can find out more about her on Linked In or on Facebook.

We gratefully acknowledge our sponsor this month, dice.com, “the career hub for tech insiders”, who will be providing food, as well as giving away “merchandice” for people to enjoy.

Jenkins Law Library is located on the 12th floor of the 833 Chestnut Street building, directly across from the Ben. Franklin. Use the Chestnut Street entrance. Please tell security that you are attending the Net Tuesday event at Jenkins. You will be required to sign in. The elevators unload on the 12th floor in front of Jenkins’ main doors. There will be a devilishly handsome young man behind the front desk to direct you to the event.

Although not required, RSVP’s via Facebook or Meetup are appreciated for planning purposes.
  

 

Looking ahead… For Net Tuesday, September 7, we’ll be having a discussion about the state of social networking with Deanna Zandt, author of Share This: How You Will Change the World with Social Networking. Mark the date, and check out this terrific book!
  

Net Tuesday, May 4, 2010: A Social Web Sampler

Social Web Sampler

Come celebrate our 2nd anniversary with a participative Social Web Sampler.  We’ll focus on the social web tools and applications that are important to you.  Here’s some more information.

Join us in March for crisis response and social media

Don't panic! Crisis response and social mediaRecent crises — whether caused by nature (like Haiti or Katrina) or by humans (like the London subway bombings or PA budget cuts for arts and culture) — have been met by a new type of response virtually unavailable just a decade ago.

Social tools, including Facebook and Twitter, GIS/mapping applications, mobile technology, image and video sharing services and others, have been used in ways that are creative, widely participative and, often, surprisingly effective.

The March Net Tuesday will be about this phenomenon and how it might be relevant to you, today.

We’ll have an interactive discussion and workshop, not only about how some of these sorts of tools have been used in past crises, but about the sorts of social structures (e.g., CrisisCamps) that are emerging to build community and prepare proactively for the next crisis.

Read more about and RSVP for Net Tuesday on March 2!

Feb. 2 Net Tuesday: Crowdsourcing Change

Crowd

On Tuesday, Feb. 2, we’ll be hosting Crowdsourcing for Change, in which we’ll be gathering with three nonprofits: Dignity Housing, ScienceForCitizens.net and EarthGame.

Read more about Crowdsourcing for Change on Feb. 2

Our objective will be to use the wisdom and experience of our crowd — of fellow nonprofit staffers, social change activists and experienced techies — to brainstorm, provide feedback and ideas for using social media and social technology to achieve their goals.

We invite you to read project descriptions from the three presenters, and ask questions in the comments ahead of time. The more familiar people are with the projects when we begin, the more we’ll be able to achieve on Feb. 2.

Crowdsourcing Change: EarthGame

Submitted by Medard Gabel on January 26, 2010

We are working with the UN on developing a giant “dashboard” for the world. This 32 foot by 8 foot high-definition video wall will be a permanent installation at the UN Headquarters in New York where millions of people will see it. There will also be a web version where even more will be able to see and interact with the dashboard.

The project makes the vital statistics of the world increasingly transparent, available, interesting and useful to more and more people—and in ways that are easily understandable and exciting. The purpose is to provide an overview and status report on what is happening right now on Spaceship Earth.

Crowdsourcing Change: ScienceForCitizens.net

Submitted by Darlene Cavalier on January 26, 2010

If you’re a citizen: This is the place to find out about, take part in, and contribute to science through recreational activities and research projects.

If you’re a scientist or a representative of a citizen science organization or community group: This is the place to tell eager citizens about your work and get them interested in helping out.

Crowdsourcing Change: Dignity Housing

Submitted by Megan Barnes on January 26, 2010

Dignity Housing is a non-profit organization established by formerly homeless people in 1988 to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty confronting low-income and homeless families and individuals in Philadelphia.  Dignity Housing promotes our client’s self-sufficiency by providing affordable rental housing with individualized social services, homeownership opportunities, assistance in pursuit of education objectives, workforce development, and financial management assistance.

The organization has been slow to technology and social media changes but has the goal for the upcoming year to increase our online presence. Our goals include using social media and new technology to attract new supporters, increase online donations, and form coalitions throughout Philadelphia in support of affordable housing. Currently, Dignity Housing has a Facebook page and a recently updated website, www.dignityhousing.org. Dignity Housing also have a fundraising plan to highlight projects online throughout the year, but it will be a first-year effort both with limited resources and limited knowledge.

“Crowdsourcing Change” will be a highly participatory event where attendees will have an opportunity to help three “Social Changers” who are using — or trying to use — the social web for the common good. Dignity Housing is one of our three presenters. Feel free to ask questions in the comments ahead of time, and read more about the event to learn about the other presenters.