Widgets for change

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In honor of the launch of Change.org’s new political actions tools and of the fact that I am going the be the “project champion” for the Genocide Intervention Network next week at NetSquared, here’s a widget that brings them both together.

The Genocide Intervention Network envisions a world in which the global community is willing and able to protect civilians from genocide and mass atrocities. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities with the tools to prevent and stop genocide.

More on both subjects later. Right now, I have a job to do (for 3 more days)!

Why nonprofit web sites suck

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Saw this on local Craig’s List today:

The Office/Membership Administrator is a member of the fundraising and communications teams and provides support to the Associate Director, Director of Development, and Director of Public Relations for all membership, communications, and outreach functions. Primary responsibilities include maintaining Raiser’s Edge donor database, coordinating large fundraising mailings, designing and updating website, and designing newsletters, publications and various printed and promotional materials, and organizing large meetings.

Qualifications: Computer proficiency especially Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Office, Acrobat, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver; attention to detail; ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines; ability to work independently and in project teams; positive attitude and energy; teamwork spirit; background in public relations and communications’ strategies a plus. Minimum of 2-year degree required.

Send cover letter and resume by June 15, 2007.

– Office/Membership Administrator for statewide non-profit

So either they have enough money for a full time Director of Public Relations (who apparently doesn’t know jack about the Internet), but not for a qualified designer, or they think there is some correlation between being good at administrative work and being good at print and online design. Hmmm…

But… some of my best friends are white!

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Today I moderated the session on “Is cyberspace colorblind?” at PDF. It was pretty challenging, which I think it probably should be when we get into such important and difficult topics. A certain amount of respectful conflict can be very productive. I was was frustrated but not surprised at some of the white, male “A-list” bloggers who tried to undermine us or make it about them, but I feel like we managed to keep it on track and enlightening. I really wanted to have more dialog with the audience but there was nowhere near enough time.

It was an immense honor for me to share the stage with four incredibly smart people,a nd I learned a lot from all of their comments. I’m looking forward to seeing what Cheryl, Chris, Anil, and Liza have to say about the session on their blogs. Plus we will be continuing the conversation at the PDF unconference tomorrow.

The political cluetrain

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Wow. Please read (and sign) Liza Sabater‘s fabulous manifesto on People Powered Politics, based on the seminal Cluetrain Manifesto.

It starts…

Online Constituencies…
Networked political constituencies are beginning to self-organize faster than the governments and political organizations that have traditionally served them. Thanks to the web, constituencies are becoming better informed, smarter, and more demanding of qualities missing from most political organizations.

…People of Earth
The sky is open to the stars. Clouds roll over us night and day. Oceans rise and fall. Whatever you may have heard, this is our world, our place to be. Whatever you’ve been told, our flags fly free. Our heart goes on forever. People of Earth, remember.
– The Cluetrain Manifesto for People Powered Politics | culturekitchen

A brave new world

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Here’s a quick note to share some big news. I am leaving my job at Netcentric Campaigns, and am on the hunt for new adventures (after I take a short break to reset my brain and go to Netsquared)!

A lot of friends and colleagues have suggested that I should go back to freelance consulting, but I’m leaning more toward an organizational setting where I can be a part of a supportive and stable community. Right now, I could be convinced to do either if it was for the right opportunity.

So what would make an opportunity “right” for me? I hope to spend more time contemplating this to ensure that I land in the right place, but here’s what I know I need:

  • Collaborative organizational structure supported by democratic management.
  • Openness to innovation at the strategic and technological levels.
  • Ability to telecommute and/or be based in central North Carolina. Frequent travel is fine, however.
  • Passion for what I’m doing. There are many, many things I care deeply and get excited about including… making government more democratic, ending the war, promoting women’s rights and leadership, getting progressives and/or bloggers involved in local government, electing non-Republicans, amplifying otherwise-excluded voices… of course the list could go on and on.

I am watching NOI jobs, nonprofit tech jobs, and Craig’s List, and I have a promising job interview (!) tomorrow. But I also want to know what else might be out there in the wide world of Advocacy 2.0. There is also this little campaign nearby, should I be thinking about that?

Off to PDF

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PDF Conference/UnConference These days, folks interested in how the Internet is affecting politics have more than one conference to choose from. My pick for the very best in this increasingly crowded field is the Personal Democracy Forum. The web site and annual conference were founded by Micah Sifry and Andrew Rasiej several years ago.

My only major complaint about the conference has been that it’s too short (only one day), and that it’s overly focused on folks with famous names. Fortunately, this year PDF is also having an unConference, the perfect antidote to my concerns. I’ll be there talking about local blogging and who knows what else.

They’re also using a snazzy system that allows participants to make their own profiles, write reviews of sessions, and build networks with each other (of course). For example, here’s my profile. I’ll be moderating a very challenging, but hopefully also very mind-opening, session called “Is Cyberspace Colorblind? Addressing Race and Class Online.”

Follow the PDF2007 tag to see what emerges.

Blogs make journalists better

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Here’s a great example of how the open culture and format of blogs can make journalism better.

The Carrboro Citizen recently ran a story about growth in Chatham and Orange Counties. While reading it, I thought the author wrote “Chapel Hill North” when she was in fact referring to “Carolina North.” Another reader noticed that while the raw numbers were correct, some of the percentages were off.

The editor and author gratefully noted the corrections and changed the story (at least the online version).

Editor | 14-May-07 at 8:50 am

Thanks. Fixed the Carolina North reference. Good golly.
I’ll check on the growth rate. I imagine it is an annual number.

kmr

Susie | 14-May-07 at 9:27 am

I checked the numbers and 1.5% is actually the projected annual growth rate for Chapel Hill’s population — the increase from 2005 to 2035 (from 52,394 to 81,297) is estimated at 55%, according to Triangle JCOG projections.
The Chatham County employment increase is also incorrect — 0.7% is the annual growth rate, 24% is the projected increase over the 30 year period.
Thanks for pointing this out. I’ve corrected the information in the story, and I’ll be sure to keep my numbers straight next time.

It must be my birthday

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…because this is a great present: the Tap is back!

The mock heavy metal group immortalized in the 1984 mockumentary, “This is Spinal Tap,” will reunite for a performance at Wembley Stadium in London as part of the Live Earth concerts scheduled worldwide for July 7.

The original members of Spinal Tap will be there: guitarist Nigel Tufnel (played by Christopher Guest), singer David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) and bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer). Rob Reiner, who both directed “This is Spinal Tap” and played the fake documentarian Marty DeBergi in the film, will also be in attendance.

[…]

Spinal Tap has reunited several times since the film, but hasn’t for a number of years. For the band — whose last album was 1992’s “Break like the Wind” — the occasion warranted a new single: “Warmer Than Hell.”

– Mock metal group Spinal Tap to reunite

It actually is my birthday, by the way. I’m six squared.