“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.

Presenters will first explain the change they are trying to achieve through social media. Attendees, with the help of a moderator, will then provide feedback, ideas, constructive criticism and concrete instructions to help the presenters succeed.

The three presenters will be:

• Megan Barnes of Dignity Housing, a non-profit organization established by people who were formerly homeless to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty confronting low-income and homeless families and individuals in Philadelphia.
  Read Dignity Housing's project description.
• Darlene Cavalier, of ScienceForCitizens.net, a place for citizens to find out about, take part in, and contribute to science through recreational activities and research projects and for scientists to tell eager citizens about your work and get them interested in helping out.
  Read ScienceForCitizens.net's project description.
• Medard Gabel of EarthGame, who is working with the UN on developing a giant “dashboard” for the world, a 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 an interactive web version. The purpose is to provide an overview and status report on what is happening right now on Spaceship Earth.
  Read EarthGame's project description.

We’re planning an interactive discussion with some exciting case studies of how nonprofits and grassroots community groups are using the social web — networks like Facebook and media like YouTube — to inspire leadership among their supporters and deepen their commitment to the cause.

Takeaways:

RSVP: via Meetup (nice, but not necessary)
Questions?: contact philly@net2tuesday.org

Whether you’re a newbie or an old hand, we’ll use our August meeting to share thoughts about how particular Web 2.0 technologies have been used (and could be in the future). We’ll have an open, facilitated discussion about various elements of the Web 2.0 landscape. Those who are unfamiliar can ask questions; those who are experienced can share insights and tips; and we can all envision how these tools might be applied to our present circumstances and dreams.

As warm weather settles in, nothing’s more refreshing than a flight of Net Tuesday Summer Ales.

First up, on Tuesday, July 7 starting at 6 PM at Buffalo Billiards, 118 Chestnut Street: Communi-Lager! Chris Bartlett will present Activist Communities in the Midst of Social Media. He'll share how he has used the tools of the trade -- social networks Twitter, Facebook, Stickam, and Ning -- to create a series of communities that support his community organizing.