Although these two panels — "Leveraging the Power of Participatory Media" and "The Future of Online Outreach" — were held separately at the 2007 Nonprofit Technology Conference, I thought that they related so well that I'd present them together.
Advocacy Online includes articles on online community organizing for social causes or political campaigns; mobilizing for advocacy on a specific issue; connecting activists with legislators and political leaders; networks and flash mobs for direct action and visible protest; advocacy-oriented social networks such as change.org and The Hub; and advocacy suites such as Democracy in Action.
Although these two panels — "Leveraging the Power of Participatory Media" and "The Future of Online Outreach" — were held separately at the 2007 Nonprofit Technology Conference, I thought that they related so well that I'd present them together.
It seems important to me to keep these different types of elites in mind as we think about the intersections of technology and social change. One way of achieving change is by appealing to the state's powerholders — traditional power, that is. But throughout history, coalitions of people without this power have banded together to effect change. It may be that among the three other types of elites, a social movement can emerge that represents true democratic change.
Ivan Boothe, for example, says his organization's goal is to "involve people who are active and educated about the issue who become leaders as members. Our members are not just a mailing list. GI-Net is all about giving up control ... Organizations need more than a membership card. We are creating a permanent anti-genocide constituency."
"Online advocacy tools and tactics." Colin Delany explores the intersection of politics and technology, with a specific focus on nonprofits and social change organizations using innovative methods and online technology to achieve their goals.
Britt Bravo blogs about individuals and organizations pursuing social change through innovative online methods. She has particular expertise in advising nonprofits on creating podcasts, and oversees NetSquared's podcast series. In addition to other NetSquared duties, she coordinates the "think tank" blog series.
Democracy in Action (DIA) is a nonprofit that provides online advocacy and fundraising suites for nonprofits — if you've signed a petition or made a donation online, chances are likely you've encountered DIA's software. The DIA blog highlights successful online advocacy and fundraising campaigns by their customers and other organizations, as well as announcing news about DIA software itself.
Allison Fine calls this kind of decentralized organizing "network leadership," something I write more about in a follow-up post, "Just what kind of social change are you interested in?"