Idea-sharing swarms at a pivotal moment in US history

January 15, 2009

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It’s interesting to watch swarming behavior on-line and figuring out how it happens. Conflict and debate seems to be a  key part.

With the inauguration of Barack Obama just around the corner, the internet has been buzzing with hope for real change. As an example of this, Change.ORG, the social networking website that launched in 2007, has been compiling “ideas for change in changeorgAmerica” to present to the new Obama administration. In the first round of idea-gathering, advocates on multiple issues rallied their respective members to post ideas and vote for them on the site. From November 24 – December 31, 2008, Change.org reports that it had more than 7,783 submissions for ideas and over 288,694 votes.

At the beginning of 2009, Change.org announced the winning issues for the second round and the results were contentious, especially in the case of immigrant rights.  Some proponents of immigration enforcement weren’t happy that their agenda didn’t make the final list. One of the “hater” groups, admitted to its members that it had confused Change.org with Change.GOV, Obama’s official site for his transition that launched in picture-6November 2008.

Student activists for the DREAM Act (which would give undocumented students legal status) saw the difference between the two sites and rallied their supporters on both platforms. The Dream Act is now in Change.org’s Top 10 issues and it’s also getting traffic on Change.gov. See one of their videos below “Vote for the DREAM Act at Chang.org.”

So who benefits from this flurry of activity?

Well, Change.ORG to begin with: it now has lots of new users and members. Even the people unhappy with the results are helping publicize the site. Advocates also benefit because they learn something about cyber-rallying supporters and what it means to communicate the change they want to see. Activists unhappy with the results might write off websites when they don’t see the results they want. Some idea “losers” are dismissing the entire site, citing that drug legalization tops both lists.

But unlike corporate media, social media means that people on both sides of an issue are learning what it means to frame and support thier beliefs, something integral to civic engagement.

Leave a Comment » | Nonprofits, Social Justice, Social change, Social networking, internet culture | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Will Coley

New Release: 1,000 Voices Archive

June 12, 2008

From the Creative Counsel and the Opportunity Agenda

Creative Counsel, the arts and media group and sister organization of The Opportunity Agenda, is pleased to announce the launch of the 1000 Voices Archive.

This multi-partner project brings together award winning filmmakers, some of the nation’s largest advocacy networks, and creative professionals to showcase 1000 stories, told by advocacy heroes, that elevate the core values that are central to a just and equitable world. The stories will be used in town halls, training rooms, organizer meetings, local media, policy briefings, and classrooms across the country.

The 1000 Voices Archive is Creative Counsel’s debut multimedia project intended to tap the tremendous power of stories to shape community dialogues and drive policy change. Many of Creative Counsel’s stories will be promoted through the outreach efforts of the 1000 Voices Archive team and communications networks, to ensure that they reach the largest, strategically-identified audiences possible. And in the coming weeks, Creative Counsel will announce their Facebook and mySpace pages, and postings on dozens of other sites, to launch the Archive’s social networking community.

Key content includes:

• The “crown jewel” — The Interactive Map of the Archive’s stories, searchable by Core Values, Issue Areas, and zoomable to key cities;

• A Toolkit accompanying each video, including zip code specific letter writing tools to contact elected officials and local media, with dynamically generated letter templates allowing the viewer to “shape public dialogue” by sharing viewpoints and a link to the video;

• Dozens of resources; factsheets, screening tools, recent news articles, facilitation guides, weblinks, and Share It tools related to the storyteller’s themes;

• A One Stop Policy Education Shop for viewers to learn about legislation, local public representatives, and to receive email updates on issues related to the storyteller’s themes.

Many Voices, Authentic Voices:

The archive emphasizes storytellers with diverse voices and backgrounds, including:

Timothy Hill, a Black Youth Vote! leader from South Carolina;

Merle Bell, an older Iowan farmer;

Heidi Pascual, an Asian American publisher;

Marina Caeiro, a Latina organizer;

Donna Land Maldonado, a Native American media leader;

and in the coming weeks, stories of the undocumented.

…all united by core values that have informed their lives and drive their work and life choices. At its best, the Archive reminds us that there are still many who care deeply and are working hard for the values of community, voice, and justice.

In 2008 and 2009, the 1000 Voices Archive will produce a significant number of stories on the themes of health care, immigration, racial justice, and women’s leadership. If you would like a customized tour of the 1000 Voices Archive platform or to learn more about the Creative Counsel, please contact info@1000VoicesArchive.org.

www.opportunityagenda.org | (212) 334-5977

Leave a Comment » | Internet video, Nonprofits, Social Justice, Social change, Storytelling | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Will Coley