by Rosemari
Today we got two blogs from my favorite vlogger, Jay Smooth, who always seems to say what I wish I was thinking.
This video critiques the problems of the news cycle in a way that makes me want to yell "squirrel," a la Jon Stewart in the Daily Show last September (see minute 3:30). His other one is posted here.
Jay Smooth's vlog often touches on racial/cultural/artistic/political issues. How to Tell People They Sound Racist, is my favorite piece. I've used it in trainings on racial disparities and his voice often comes to mind when confronting issues of race and other prejudices.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Artificial Food Isn't Really Food
by Karrin
Food has become a hidden drug. People used to farm their own food and seldom even ate sugar. Today people eat pounds of artificial chemicals each year which have been added to the food supply for the economic gain of industry. The majority of additives are the result of left over chemicals for sale. Most chemicals added to food have nothing to do with nutrition or the human body. The book The Poisons in Your Food outlines the history of food additives which began back in the 1940s. The majority of food additives are simply toxic chemicals that add bulk to prepackaged food acting as drugs which turn the body into a polluted landfill.
In eating disorder clinics, people who eat the most artificial foods have detoxification symptoms like that of a person on hard street drugs. Too much junk food causes digestive problems, head aches and mood disorders. Our culture has been brainwashed into thinking a little bit of poison in our food is okay. The problem is that many food additives make people have unreasonable cravings. Many artificial chemicals are stimulants that make people high followed by a crash and burn. When food becomes addictive it is no longer food.
People can’t resist the sudden burst of energy that they associate with junk food. The promise of junk food is so powerful it can be used to control people’s behavior. Unless people become educated about the dangers to eating artificial ingredients the food industry will be happy to keep providing them in larger and larger quantities. To learn more about artificial food verses whole foods check out the book If It’s Not Food Don’t Eat It by Kelly Hayford.
Coming off of artificial foods is not pain free. Recognizing the symptoms of detoxification and withdrawal can be seen as a good sign. Eating whole foods may feel artificial if one isn’t used to it. Food habits can change one bite at a time. Learning to read and care about food labels can be a fun hobby. Food is meant to be nourishing.
What we eat is not just a personal issue. The food choices we make have a huge ripple effect. Eating in harmony with the bodies needs is one of the most fundamental gifts of life we can give to ourselves and pass onto our children. Switching from artificial ingredients to wholesome foods results in physical vitality, emotional stability and mental clarity for the individual and is a great example for others. The better we take care of ourselves the better we can help take care of others and the world around us.
Food has become a hidden drug. People used to farm their own food and seldom even ate sugar. Today people eat pounds of artificial chemicals each year which have been added to the food supply for the economic gain of industry. The majority of additives are the result of left over chemicals for sale. Most chemicals added to food have nothing to do with nutrition or the human body. The book The Poisons in Your Food outlines the history of food additives which began back in the 1940s. The majority of food additives are simply toxic chemicals that add bulk to prepackaged food acting as drugs which turn the body into a polluted landfill.
In eating disorder clinics, people who eat the most artificial foods have detoxification symptoms like that of a person on hard street drugs. Too much junk food causes digestive problems, head aches and mood disorders. Our culture has been brainwashed into thinking a little bit of poison in our food is okay. The problem is that many food additives make people have unreasonable cravings. Many artificial chemicals are stimulants that make people high followed by a crash and burn. When food becomes addictive it is no longer food.
People can’t resist the sudden burst of energy that they associate with junk food. The promise of junk food is so powerful it can be used to control people’s behavior. Unless people become educated about the dangers to eating artificial ingredients the food industry will be happy to keep providing them in larger and larger quantities. To learn more about artificial food verses whole foods check out the book If It’s Not Food Don’t Eat It by Kelly Hayford.
Coming off of artificial foods is not pain free. Recognizing the symptoms of detoxification and withdrawal can be seen as a good sign. Eating whole foods may feel artificial if one isn’t used to it. Food habits can change one bite at a time. Learning to read and care about food labels can be a fun hobby. Food is meant to be nourishing.
What we eat is not just a personal issue. The food choices we make have a huge ripple effect. Eating in harmony with the bodies needs is one of the most fundamental gifts of life we can give to ourselves and pass onto our children. Switching from artificial ingredients to wholesome foods results in physical vitality, emotional stability and mental clarity for the individual and is a great example for others. The better we take care of ourselves the better we can help take care of others and the world around us.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Summertime Funtime - Five Tips for Summer Planning
by Karrin
Summer is here and it's time to have fun. Every summer we are bombarded by the media with fantastical images of happy people on incredible vacations. The fantasy of summer is sunshine without sunburns, sand without a mess, and beautiful happy people ready to have fun. The truth is summer is amazing and beautiful if you plan for it to be that way.
When life feels like a rollercoaster people can’t wait for vacation. When an upcoming vacation becomes an excuse to work, diet, or spend money excessively the vacation may cause more stress than rejuvenation. Those that plan their summer schedule in advance end up being more moderate and actually have more fun. Planning in advance, when done in a sensible manner, helps us be realistic and prioritize our summer fun. Other people are more likely to fit into our summer plans when they know what the plans are.
The most important part of planning is the mood you are in while you make your plans - relationships are built one memory at a time. Here are five tips for summer planning:
Summer is here and it's time to have fun. Every summer we are bombarded by the media with fantastical images of happy people on incredible vacations. The fantasy of summer is sunshine without sunburns, sand without a mess, and beautiful happy people ready to have fun. The truth is summer is amazing and beautiful if you plan for it to be that way.
When life feels like a rollercoaster people can’t wait for vacation. When an upcoming vacation becomes an excuse to work, diet, or spend money excessively the vacation may cause more stress than rejuvenation. Those that plan their summer schedule in advance end up being more moderate and actually have more fun. Planning in advance, when done in a sensible manner, helps us be realistic and prioritize our summer fun. Other people are more likely to fit into our summer plans when they know what the plans are.The most important part of planning is the mood you are in while you make your plans - relationships are built one memory at a time. Here are five tips for summer planning:
- Having an enthusiastic attitude is essential.
- Details are important in planning.
- Taking a realistic look at the time and money is relevant.
- Making time for everything takes time.
- When thinking of the possibilities think big.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A New Anthem: Keep D.C. Wal-Mart Free
by Rosemari
The Respect D.C. Campaign seeks to keep Wal-Mart out of the District of Columbia. I pass the yard signs through out my neighborhood of Pleasant Plains and often wonder if it's people who will get to decide what happens in their/our community.
In the meantime, Monday, June 20, 2011 the U.S. Supreme Court decided to throw out the largest sexual discriminationlawsuit in American history — a nationwide class action lawsuit brought against Wal-Mart on behalf of 1.5 million female employees.
When I checked out the song below, forwarded from social-justice-oriented photographer Roshan Ghirmire, I got goosebumps. This song reminds me of Friday afternoons, walking to the beat of whatever Listen Vision Recording Studios happens to be spinning on their porch. To me, this song is the voice of the community. It tells the community's story. It's art as activism. And it gives me hope.
And, on a side note, where else can you find Strom Thurmond and Trent Lott in a hip hop song?
The Respect D.C. Campaign seeks to keep Wal-Mart out of the District of Columbia. I pass the yard signs through out my neighborhood of Pleasant Plains and often wonder if it's people who will get to decide what happens in their/our community.
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| Photo Source |
In the meantime, Monday, June 20, 2011 the U.S. Supreme Court decided to throw out the largest sexual discriminationlawsuit in American history — a nationwide class action lawsuit brought against Wal-Mart on behalf of 1.5 million female employees.
When I checked out the song below, forwarded from social-justice-oriented photographer Roshan Ghirmire, I got goosebumps. This song reminds me of Friday afternoons, walking to the beat of whatever Listen Vision Recording Studios happens to be spinning on their porch. To me, this song is the voice of the community. It tells the community's story. It's art as activism. And it gives me hope.
And, on a side note, where else can you find Strom Thurmond and Trent Lott in a hip hop song?
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Dear Daddy, I love you!
In honor of Father's Day, Notes from the Ombligo is highlighting the special relationship that fathers bring to our lives. This post is from the perspective of a young child.
by Karrin
Dear Daddy,
Happy Fathers Day
You are the coolest Dad on the top of the highest mountain. You are like a home run with bases loaded, a touch down on Super Bowl Sunday and Santa Claus all rolled into one. You are my Super Hero. Thanks for playing at the park, lifting me up to see and watching over me.
Dad, you make me feel like an All Star Kid. I feel like a Champion in your eyes. I can climb way up and swing up even higher when you push me. When I am on your shoulders I am on top of the world. You bring me my blanket and my drink. I love you.
Thank you for reading me books and showing me how to write my name. You can do so much. I want to do what you do. I want to eat what you eat and drink what you drink. You are better than all the purple dinosaurs in the world. You give the best pony rides on the block.
I’m the luckiest kid I know because you’re my Daddy. You hit the nail on the head when you had me. It was a hole in one. Happy Fathers Day to you. You are my Dad and I am your kid. I look up to you. You keep your eye on me, hustle up when I am hurt, and go the extra mile for me. Thanks for holding my hand when we cross the street and buckling me into my car seat. Thanks for waiting for me and letting me come with you.
You are a world class Dad.
Happy Fathers Day!
by Karrin
Dear Daddy,
Happy Fathers Day
You are the coolest Dad on the top of the highest mountain. You are like a home run with bases loaded, a touch down on Super Bowl Sunday and Santa Claus all rolled into one. You are my Super Hero. Thanks for playing at the park, lifting me up to see and watching over me.
Dad, you make me feel like an All Star Kid. I feel like a Champion in your eyes. I can climb way up and swing up even higher when you push me. When I am on your shoulders I am on top of the world. You bring me my blanket and my drink. I love you.
Thank you for reading me books and showing me how to write my name. You can do so much. I want to do what you do. I want to eat what you eat and drink what you drink. You are better than all the purple dinosaurs in the world. You give the best pony rides on the block.
I’m the luckiest kid I know because you’re my Daddy. You hit the nail on the head when you had me. It was a hole in one. Happy Fathers Day to you. You are my Dad and I am your kid. I look up to you. You keep your eye on me, hustle up when I am hurt, and go the extra mile for me. Thanks for holding my hand when we cross the street and buckling me into my car seat. Thanks for waiting for me and letting me come with you.
You are a world class Dad.
Happy Fathers Day!
Dear Dad
In honor of Father's Day, Notes from the Ombligo is highlighting the special relationship that fathers bring to our lives.
by Karrin
Dear Dad,
It’s your day. I hope it’s the best Father’s Day ever. When I think of you I am so grateful that you helped bring me into this world. Thank you for being the person you are, you literally mean the world the world to me. As a child you were a great mystery and powerful influence.
The older I get the more I come to realize how special you are. I see the world through your eyes a little bit more each time I think of you. You have taught me more than you know in ways that cannot be imagined.
When I was young I had no idea how the lessons you exposed me to would multiply in meaning. I continue to learn from you, your presence in my life is deep and powerful. I take you wherever I go, I think about you often. You are a part of me. We haven’t always understood each other but in many ways we are one in the same.
Thank you equally for all that you have done and for all that you have not done. You have shown me that we all have our own life to live. I am able to think for myself and make my own decisions. I am so grateful that you are my Dad. I find myself acting in ways that remind me of you and I feel connected. Life wouldn’t be the same without you. I love you, Dad.
Have a great Father’s Day.
by Karrin
Dear Dad,
It’s your day. I hope it’s the best Father’s Day ever. When I think of you I am so grateful that you helped bring me into this world. Thank you for being the person you are, you literally mean the world the world to me. As a child you were a great mystery and powerful influence.
The older I get the more I come to realize how special you are. I see the world through your eyes a little bit more each time I think of you. You have taught me more than you know in ways that cannot be imagined.
When I was young I had no idea how the lessons you exposed me to would multiply in meaning. I continue to learn from you, your presence in my life is deep and powerful. I take you wherever I go, I think about you often. You are a part of me. We haven’t always understood each other but in many ways we are one in the same.
Thank you equally for all that you have done and for all that you have not done. You have shown me that we all have our own life to live. I am able to think for myself and make my own decisions. I am so grateful that you are my Dad. I find myself acting in ways that remind me of you and I feel connected. Life wouldn’t be the same without you. I love you, Dad.
Have a great Father’s Day.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
It's Getting Real in the Whole Foods Parking Lot
by Rosemari
This video should definitely get it's own post on the Stuff White People blog. It eerily hits too close to home because:
1. I have brewed my own kombucha (and recently complained when Guava Goddess was out of stock at my local Whole Foods);
2. I make quiona more than rice; and,
3. I texted a picture of the Humboldt Fog cheese to my brother, who just graduated from Humboldt State, last week.
When I question, "Am I really that predictable?" after watching this video, the answer is, irrefutably, yes.
This video should definitely get it's own post on the Stuff White People blog. It eerily hits too close to home because:
1. I have brewed my own kombucha (and recently complained when Guava Goddess was out of stock at my local Whole Foods);
2. I make quiona more than rice; and,
3. I texted a picture of the Humboldt Fog cheese to my brother, who just graduated from Humboldt State, last week.
When I question, "Am I really that predictable?" after watching this video, the answer is, irrefutably, yes.
Social Media Tools Review: Bitly
by Rosemari
Long urls are cumbersome. They disrupt precious white space in the body of an e-mail and are difficult to share, particularly in a world where character length of updates from sites like Twitter and Facebook matter.
How Bitly solves it (or attempts to solve it)
Bitly is a service used to shorten lengthy urls. Additionally, if you register for a Bitly, you are able to track how many clicks your specific link retrieves and information about who is clicking on those specific pages.
According to the “About” section of the Bitly website, “bitly helps you collect, organize, shorten and share links. We are currently reinventing how people discover and share content on the web.” Let’s see how this could apply to a real world scenario.
Scenario
For example, let’s say your organization wants people to check out the new a new video on your main website. You can send a social media update that lists your traditional url to get to your website in order to access the video. However, you will not have the capacity to determine if the traffic on your site is due to the video or another factor (perhaps people looking on the website for details regarding an upcoming event, etc.). Bitly allows you to share a unique link that will show you the number of clicks specifically for the video.
Additionally, let’s say you are trying to determine who is the best spokesperson for your organization via social media. You can have various Bitly links being pushed to by different handles, including your agency handle, your CEO, and your community mobilizers, to determine what handle is most effective and which audiences are most interested in your video.
Once you’ve pushed your link, you can track how many clicks occurred in various time frames (some options are “total,” “past hour,” “past 24 hours,” etc.). It also allows you to see the platform individuals using to click through (for example, Facebook, Twitter, Direct, etc.) to your video as well as the countries they are clicking from. These types of benchmarks are similar to the metrics available using Google Analyzer.
Other features
Bitly offers free account that allows you to shorten and share, create custom hash tags, have an individual link statistics page and single tracking domains. Bitly also offers a vanity account called BitlyEnterprise for $995 a month that offers additional features, such as multiple tracking domains, “end-to-end branding,” and no rate limits. Organizations and companies like Pespi and CSPAN have custom links such as pep.si and cs.pn.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
New Generation New Relationships
Traditional relationships are not the norm anymore. Children today come from all types of homes with all kinds of people. It is not typical for a child to be surrounded by blood relatives and much more normal for children today to be cared for by a variety of rotating people. Parents, siblings, childcare providers, friends and relatives are not as well defined or consistent as they used to be. Kids today come from a variety of ever changing backgrounds. It’s a fascinating world out there.
Oprah Winfrey is a prime example of someone who defines relationships according to her own heart. She is not married yet in a long term relationship. Her friend and partner Stedman Graham is rarely spoken about or seen in public. Oprah offers no explanation and gives no apology for her lack of tradition in declining to be married. She does not hesitate to pronounce her love for Stedman. Stedman is a gracious man, recently demonstrated by his heartfelt tribute to Oprah in her grand finale show. His book You Can Make It Happen clearly identifies him as the man that sparks the magic. He is the underground hidden master while Oprah is a type of Diva or Goddess to many. Her ability to define her own relationship to her audience, the many issues in the world today, and the special people in her life has enabled her to find herself. People can relate to her and feel empowered in her presence.
Even traditional fundamentalists do not complain about Oprah’s personal relationship being out of wedlock. People respect Stedman. Stedman was ahead of his time writing and teaching powerful concepts that have clearly influenced Oprah’s core values. “Your spiritual well –being begins with you but it does not end there. It runs much deeper into the realm of how you relate to others; respond to others, and what you bring into the lives of others. It is a connection between your public persona and your innermost thoughts on what matters most in your life.”
Relationships are changing and have changed. The traditional model is one option but not the most popular. People have varied lifestyles, hobbies, opinions, knowledge and reasons for living. When it comes to relationships, we are all in new territory. Communication is more important than ever. The more we embrace people the more variety of relationships we will be exposed to. Exposure to others lives is the beginning of understanding the people and culture we live in and ultimately ourselves.
There are all kinds of people experiencing all kinds of extraordinary things in both traditional and non traditional ways. The important things in life, things like love and respect, are not limited to cultural beliefs. The new generation is open to a greater diversity of lifestyles and relationships. There is no turning back now. Learning to love people as they are sparks creativity in the heart of the individual which makes for a really cool culture.
Oprah Winfrey is a prime example of someone who defines relationships according to her own heart. She is not married yet in a long term relationship. Her friend and partner Stedman Graham is rarely spoken about or seen in public. Oprah offers no explanation and gives no apology for her lack of tradition in declining to be married. She does not hesitate to pronounce her love for Stedman. Stedman is a gracious man, recently demonstrated by his heartfelt tribute to Oprah in her grand finale show. His book You Can Make It Happen clearly identifies him as the man that sparks the magic. He is the underground hidden master while Oprah is a type of Diva or Goddess to many. Her ability to define her own relationship to her audience, the many issues in the world today, and the special people in her life has enabled her to find herself. People can relate to her and feel empowered in her presence.
Even traditional fundamentalists do not complain about Oprah’s personal relationship being out of wedlock. People respect Stedman. Stedman was ahead of his time writing and teaching powerful concepts that have clearly influenced Oprah’s core values. “Your spiritual well –being begins with you but it does not end there. It runs much deeper into the realm of how you relate to others; respond to others, and what you bring into the lives of others. It is a connection between your public persona and your innermost thoughts on what matters most in your life.”
Relationships are changing and have changed. The traditional model is one option but not the most popular. People have varied lifestyles, hobbies, opinions, knowledge and reasons for living. When it comes to relationships, we are all in new territory. Communication is more important than ever. The more we embrace people the more variety of relationships we will be exposed to. Exposure to others lives is the beginning of understanding the people and culture we live in and ultimately ourselves.
There are all kinds of people experiencing all kinds of extraordinary things in both traditional and non traditional ways. The important things in life, things like love and respect, are not limited to cultural beliefs. The new generation is open to a greater diversity of lifestyles and relationships. There is no turning back now. Learning to love people as they are sparks creativity in the heart of the individual which makes for a really cool culture.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Social Media Tools Review: Hootsuite.com
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| Source: American University Social Media Club Facebook Wall |
The problem
In a world in which you may follow hundreds of Twitter handles and Facebook profiles, it’s tough to organize the information in meaningful and accessible way. Furthermore, when managing various accounts, it is nearly impossible to physically be in front of a screen in order to release my updates at appropriate intervals as to maximize their impact.
How HootSuite solves it (or attempts to solve it)
HootSuite provides a columned interface (called the dashboard) that allows viewing of multiple profiles and accounts across the social networks applications (such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to ensure easy management. Also, it allows users to schedule updates, mange lists, and create analytics.
Scenario
Professor Pallavi Kumar recently spoke on a panel at American University’s Social MediaSummit regarding Facebook and other social networking tools. She knew she had a short time to discuss a range new media strategy and tactics. Professor Kumar used HootSuite to schedule her tweets before the panel. She was able to craft tweets that included the key messages of her presentation, videos, and links to other relevant information. Once she had assembled her tweets, she scheduled them for the duration of her presentation, about 15 tweets every five minutes. She announced her methodology before her comments and mentioned the conference hashtag so others interested in the conference (both present and remote) could follow her and easily retweet her messages.
With the power of HootSuite, she was able to focus her attention on her presentation (instead of fumbling with her phone on stage), get relevant and timely information to her audience (both on- and off-line), facilitate the sharing of that information by having her audience retweet it, and gain new followers. She notes that after the Summit, other professors have had similar results after imploring her technique.
Other features
HootSuite has a variety of options for vanity accounts, which include running customized analytics and adding individuals to collaborate on a single account. Additionally, it creates its own link shortening system (like Bitly). It also has HootSuite University, which for $21.00 a month individuals are able to get webinars, forums, support, and other training on how to maximize their social media experience using HootSuite.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Parallel Dynamics Between Art & Life
by Alisha
Check out some sage advice on the processes of both life and art:
Pressed from tarakfoto on Vimeo.
Check out some sage advice on the processes of both life and art:
Pressed from tarakfoto on Vimeo.
I’m currently sitting on my bed contemplating Pressed, a short film by Tara Kocourek. Through this brief 4 minutes and 53 seconds she explores the parallel dynamics between the complexities of life and creative expression via artist Joren Lindholm.
As an artist and a global citizen I appreciate how Kocourek captures the balance between finding inspiration and acknowledging monotony. Both encounter struggles and strife: a constant equilibrium between success and failure, boredom and adventure, love and hate. One of the concepts that stuck with me in the film was the value of diversity.
I’m left questioning how we can get more of this beautiful concept, that is foreign to so many. Why is there an ideal or who we are supposed to be and how we are supposed to look or act?
As I lay in bed, I’m not expecting to find these answers anytime soon. If we think about these concepts, these questions, maybe we can one day break the norms that create them. Maybe we can break the self-doubt. Better yet, maybe we can come up with more questions and more knowledge to create internal and external dialogue. Maybe we can inspire others to do the same.
As an artist and a global citizen I appreciate how Kocourek captures the balance between finding inspiration and acknowledging monotony. Both encounter struggles and strife: a constant equilibrium between success and failure, boredom and adventure, love and hate. One of the concepts that stuck with me in the film was the value of diversity.
I’m left questioning how we can get more of this beautiful concept, that is foreign to so many. Why is there an ideal or who we are supposed to be and how we are supposed to look or act?
As I lay in bed, I’m not expecting to find these answers anytime soon. If we think about these concepts, these questions, maybe we can one day break the norms that create them. Maybe we can break the self-doubt. Better yet, maybe we can come up with more questions and more knowledge to create internal and external dialogue. Maybe we can inspire others to do the same.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
How the Media Shares Stories of HIV Prevention
by Rosemari
This is great story from USA Today about reaching young Latino MSMs (men who have sex with men) in my neighborhood (Columbia Heights, Washington, D.C.) by my friend and colleague Bill Delano.
After years of working in HIV prevention and hearing countless of stories similar to this one, it's a great example of how the media can share the importance of HIV prevention for young MSMs in the Latino community. Everyone interested in youth, sexual health, and how homophobia affects health on a community level should watch and share.
This is great story from USA Today about reaching young Latino MSMs (men who have sex with men) in my neighborhood (Columbia Heights, Washington, D.C.) by my friend and colleague Bill Delano.
After years of working in HIV prevention and hearing countless of stories similar to this one, it's a great example of how the media can share the importance of HIV prevention for young MSMs in the Latino community. Everyone interested in youth, sexual health, and how homophobia affects health on a community level should watch and share.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Your Super Hero Cape
by Rosemari
Let’s face it: your initial idea or plan is probably pretty good. But, like any new idea, it’s risky. That’s okay (in fact, I think we need more risky, new ideas in this world). But, taking a big risk means you need some serious super powers on your side. And, like most super powers, they start with research.
My research professor at American University in Washington, D.C., Maria Ivancin, taught me that reach helps lessen the amount of risk you are getting yourself into. It helps strengthen your decisions. It helps you have a better chance of saving the world.
When it comes to online advocacy, monitoring tools for social media can contribute to your body of research through determining your reach, your level of engagement and how well you drive your web traffic home.
These three pillars – reach, engagement, and driving web traffic home – are broken down by Alan Rosenblatt (my Online Advocacy professor and general social media guru) in Measuring the Impact of Your Social Media Program and the Rules of Social Media Engagement. Describing the nuts and bolts of each category, he walks through tools like bit.ly and movements like #FollowFriday.
Each time you are able to better monitor impact of the work you are doing. And every impact monitored is like increasing your super powers. It reduces the risk of your project and increases it’s overall awesomeness. So, before jumping into social media, be sure that you got the best super powers you can muster.
Let’s face it: your initial idea or plan is probably pretty good. But, like any new idea, it’s risky. That’s okay (in fact, I think we need more risky, new ideas in this world). But, taking a big risk means you need some serious super powers on your side. And, like most super powers, they start with research.
When it comes to online advocacy, monitoring tools for social media can contribute to your body of research through determining your reach, your level of engagement and how well you drive your web traffic home.
These three pillars – reach, engagement, and driving web traffic home – are broken down by Alan Rosenblatt (my Online Advocacy professor and general social media guru) in Measuring the Impact of Your Social Media Program and the Rules of Social Media Engagement. Describing the nuts and bolts of each category, he walks through tools like bit.ly and movements like #FollowFriday.
Each time you are able to better monitor impact of the work you are doing. And every impact monitored is like increasing your super powers. It reduces the risk of your project and increases it’s overall awesomeness. So, before jumping into social media, be sure that you got the best super powers you can muster.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Three Things Online Advocacy Can Learn from Dating
by Rosemari
The Scaled Ask
The Scaled Ask
You meet a guy. He asks out you. You enjoy your date. Your curiosity is piqued. You go out again. And, little by little, through text messages, e-mails, calls, and face-to-face interaction, your relationship develops and grows.
Strangely enough, this is also often how good advocacy campaigns should start. It’s not about getting a commitment from the first interaction, but instead about cultivating relationships a step at a time.
For instance, Colin Delaney outlines some best practices from the Obama campaign, noting that it implored “the ‘scaled ask,’ encouraging newbies to step deeper and deeper into the Obama waters – first they might show up to phone-bank, and a few weeks later they found themselves devoting 30 hours per week to managing a volunteer team.”
Size Matters
Who are we kidding? Whether in dating or in advocacy, size totally matters. But, that doesn’t mean that you should disregard how you use it.
In terms of online advocacy, when it comes to e-mail lists it’s the bigger the better. The more people you reach, the more action you are likely to inspire. However, it’s also true that how your list matters – regardless of size. As Delaney observes, every interaction matters. Maybe even more than size.
So, collect your e-mail addresses with vigor and gusto. But don’t leave it at that. You may have a bigger list than the other campaign, but unless you know how to work you’re your robust size will be a distant memory.
It’s About Trust
Things are getting more intense. You’re investing more into the relationship that ever before and that’s scary. We’ve all been at that stage in a relationship. What calms your nerves and helps you remember your priorities? Trust.
Great campaigns understand this. They respect their supporters and trust them to do great, quality work. Delany describes why and how this worked for Obama’s 2008 campaign, “Take your people seriously and they’ll return the favor…The Obama organization achieved both a scale and a level of effectiveness unlike any electoral campaign we’ve ever seen, and all because of one basic idea: that you can trust people to work on your behalf if you give them the tools and the training.”
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Be True to You
by Karrin
I began my parenting at 17 years old, still in high school, in between the Catholic Family on one side and The Family Gone Wild on the other. Teenage pregnancy was looked down on. Wearing bikinis while pregnant, which I loved, caused most people to go into shock. The homebirth decision was thought to be rebellious, breastfeeding was indecent, and not vaccinating was way overboard. Unlike today’s world where teenage pregnancy is a show on MTV, "baby bump" is a new cool phrase, natural childbirth is like going green and people are open to the vaccination conversation.
Being a vegetarian 30 years ago was very misunderstood. The most common question people would ask me when I told them I was a vegetarian was, “You still eat chicken and fish don’t you?” When I would say no they would often frown and look very concerned for my health. When I told people I was homeschooling they would say, “But your kids still go to school don’t they?” I would say, “No, I home school them.” And the most common response was, “What does that mean?”
These days I spend time everyday creeping and crawling on the ground. I am learning to stop trying to explain why. I have spent years studying the art of unconditional love. It confuses me as to why people wonder why I would want to learn about the power of love. All my life people have thought I was confused or misguided, later to think I am hip - kind of cool - maybe I know what I’m talking about - and just a little ahead of my time.
Over ten years I wrote poetry about gay rights, marijuana legalization, and economic crashes. People thought I was way out of line. I felt the same way I do now about these issues, yet I see public opinion has swayed.
Someone has to start a new conversation. I am one of those people. People naturally try to hide how they feel when society disapproves. A pregnant belly on a young teenage girl is impossible to hide. I let go of the myth that I could please people all the time.
Being young and pregnant taught me many things, the most important one being to think for myself. I knew I loved my unborn child and the world would come around. I remember this every time I am in a position to choose to be true to myself or do what others expect me to do. It takes courage to act or speak out against the popular opinion, nobody wants to feel alone, but I would rather be alone and true to myself than lost in the crowd.
It’s impossible for all people to have the same opinions, but it is possible for every person to think for themselves. This is why I’d like to close this post with the message that teen pregnancy worked for me, but it isn’t for everyone. I am pro-choice and respect the individual decision to keep or terminate early pregnancy. The beautiful thing about being human is being able to have ones own thoughts and ideas.
I began my parenting at 17 years old, still in high school, in between the Catholic Family on one side and The Family Gone Wild on the other. Teenage pregnancy was looked down on. Wearing bikinis while pregnant, which I loved, caused most people to go into shock. The homebirth decision was thought to be rebellious, breastfeeding was indecent, and not vaccinating was way overboard. Unlike today’s world where teenage pregnancy is a show on MTV, "baby bump" is a new cool phrase, natural childbirth is like going green and people are open to the vaccination conversation.
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| My great grandmother, my grandfather, my mother, me and my oldest daughter, Rosemari. |
Being a vegetarian 30 years ago was very misunderstood. The most common question people would ask me when I told them I was a vegetarian was, “You still eat chicken and fish don’t you?” When I would say no they would often frown and look very concerned for my health. When I told people I was homeschooling they would say, “But your kids still go to school don’t they?” I would say, “No, I home school them.” And the most common response was, “What does that mean?”
These days I spend time everyday creeping and crawling on the ground. I am learning to stop trying to explain why. I have spent years studying the art of unconditional love. It confuses me as to why people wonder why I would want to learn about the power of love. All my life people have thought I was confused or misguided, later to think I am hip - kind of cool - maybe I know what I’m talking about - and just a little ahead of my time.
Over ten years I wrote poetry about gay rights, marijuana legalization, and economic crashes. People thought I was way out of line. I felt the same way I do now about these issues, yet I see public opinion has swayed.
Someone has to start a new conversation. I am one of those people. People naturally try to hide how they feel when society disapproves. A pregnant belly on a young teenage girl is impossible to hide. I let go of the myth that I could please people all the time.
Being young and pregnant taught me many things, the most important one being to think for myself. I knew I loved my unborn child and the world would come around. I remember this every time I am in a position to choose to be true to myself or do what others expect me to do. It takes courage to act or speak out against the popular opinion, nobody wants to feel alone, but I would rather be alone and true to myself than lost in the crowd.
It’s impossible for all people to have the same opinions, but it is possible for every person to think for themselves. This is why I’d like to close this post with the message that teen pregnancy worked for me, but it isn’t for everyone. I am pro-choice and respect the individual decision to keep or terminate early pregnancy. The beautiful thing about being human is being able to have ones own thoughts and ideas.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Springtime Cleantime
Cleaning out my closet has always been a term that implies one has to air their dirty laundry. As if sorting through the past is a bad thing. Cleaning and springtime go hand in hand. It feels great to bring a dusty, cluttered area back to life. Our environment speaks to us about our past, our current reality but most of all, about where we are going. A persons space tells you where they are going more than anything.
Everybody has some sort of memory attached to cleaning that is somewhat threatening. Go clean your room! You better pick that up! Whose trash is this? All these simple phrases trigger a stress response.
Everybody is unorganized yet parents and other authorities can have a tendency to overreact. Those who learn to pick up the most often look like they never need to. The truth is, everybody has some area of life that could use organizing and we often hesitiate to do so.
It's not so bad once the cleaning muscle gets warmed up. We've got to give ourselves time to get into the motion, gradually increasing our time and stamina with every project. A big storage closet full of memories must be approached gently and respectfully, like an out of shape body. Getting a closet in shape cannot be done in an aggressive way. Slow and steady wins the race. Just like getting the body in shape forces ones to face emotions and build character, cleaning out a deeply cluttered closet takes a patient spirit mixed with firm resolve.
Bringing up memories, one right after the other, causes people to need a break. In the beginning take many short breaks and be open to the experience. We often dread what we "have to do" yet when we actually get to doing it, it actually turns out to be a worthwhile experience. Many fears and negative voices keep people from cleaning out the garage or other neglected and cluttered areas in their home. The problem is, once the idea that something needs cleaning gets in your mind it won't go away until the task is done.
Worrying about what has not been done is a worthless strategy. Getting started with small little pieces and going at your own pace can be very interesting. It feels invigorating to see a space get cleaned up. Cleaning is its own reward. The little memories that do come up can help us appreciate our past and the people we love.
Learning to be patient with ourselves, respect our space, and take care of our own environment is a prerequisite to loving our planet. Recycling old items feels great. Allowing for new growth and new resources once the old environment has been renewed is wonderful. New growth comes when decay is cleared and new seeds are planted.
Springtime is the perfect time to clean. The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, its natural to want to make our environment sparkle with new life. Give yourself the gift of a clean closet. Take your time, go at your own pace, arrange it the way you love it. Each closet contains its own secrets and holds its own treasures. What's in your closet?
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Hooking Up With Mobile Platforms
by Rosemari Last week, plans fell through and my friend Lauren and I found ourselves in front of a movie theater. “I just bought a Groupon for free movie tickets, but it’s in my e-mail” she said. After a few minutes of fumbling with my iPhone, we went to the kiosk and had Bridesmaids tickets in our hands without spending a cent.
Phones are revolutionizing not only what we do, but also the way we do it. So, what does that mean for those looking to save the world?
MobileActive.org’s Using Mobile Phones in Advocacy Campaigns report provide some great case studies as to how mobile phones should be integrated into advocacy campaigns, citing Greenpeace Argentina’s 2005 efforts that mobilized more than 4,500 individuals and passed a key waste reduction campaign.
This kind of mobilization inspired the California text service called the HookUp. HookUp, instead of having a clear call to action boasted in advocacy mobile platforms, uses texting to cultivate a long-term relationship, more one-dimensional relationship.
Targeted at adolescents, the HookUp texts weekly tips regarding sexual health to its 4,400+ unduplicated subscribers. Additionally, the HookUp aims to link subscribers with reproductive health services in their area. Subscribers can text “CLINIC+[zip code]” and be texted information to the nearest sexual health clinic.
Examples of recent texts include,
HookupWeeklyTip: Most STIs don’t show symptoms. Get you and your partner tested today. Txt CLINIC + ur zip for clinics. www.teensource.org Txt stop to end. (May 4, 2011)
or
HookupWeeklyTip: Think condoms are a hassle? Try pushing a baby stroller to class! Txt CLINIC + ur zip for clinics. www.teensource.org Txt stop to end. (May 18, 2011)
Sounds cool, right? But does it really work?
According to a recent subscriber survey, one third of the subscribers have requested clinic referrals. However, there has yet to be an evaluation as to whether or not young adults actually accessed these clinics (and if the clinic staff where training and capable of seeing teens for reproductive healthcare).
What’s even better is that nearly half (44 percent) said that they made “positive changes in their sexual behaviors, such as asking a partner about their sexual history.” And one in three of the subscribers surveyed noted “increased knowledge and awareness of sexual health, such as the fact that the birth control pill does not protect against STDs.”
My favorite thing about mobile technology is that it can be both timely and relevant. Whether you’re in front of the movie theater, trying to access your free tickets, or at a rally, trying to get involved, or in front of your boyfriend, trying to figure out where to get an STD test, you can immediately get hooked up.
by Rosemari
by Rosemari
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