E-Democracy.org, one of the world's first and longest sustained civic
technology projects, is getting ready for what's next.
This message is an invitation to apply for 2-3 openings on the
E-Democracy Board. We meet via teleconference, so this is an
opportunity for all.
In a social media world dominated by big market players, we are a
proudly volunteer-powered and participant supported digital farmer's
market. We are now one of the only independent, non-profit,
open-source technology hosted, citizen-based efforts supporting local
online civic engagement in the world.
With our recent pledge drive, we doubled our number of individual
donors compared to two years ago. These vital funds pay for our
essential technology hosting and help desk to support our many
volunteers and thousands of participants.
With our ongoing outreach, within two years we've built perhaps the
world's most useful and globally diverse online communities sharing
knowledge in our space with the Open Government and Civic Technology
Facebook Group.
You get involved with E-Democracy because you believe in strengthening
your local community with digital tools. And/or you get involved
because you care about actually improving democracy and promoting open
government with digital innovation everywhere. With this unique
local-global hybrid approach, we go locally deep with inclusive online
community and civic engagement where volunteers have stepped forward
and global with convening and 24x7 lesson sharing online.
Looking Forward
E-Democracy has two major trends/opportunities to consider:
1. Local online civic engagement - From reviewing the open source
platform we use or will use in future years to working to share our
inclusion mission, lessons, and strategic actions with the thousands
of everyday e-citizens fostering local online engagement on platforms
like Facebook Groups, we have lots to consider when it comes to
serving local communities online.
2. Global civic technology and democracy online networking - Our
vibrant Facebook Group, the Democracies Online Newswire, our directory
of online e-democracy related groups, and global speaking and online
lesson sharing is extremely important. What should we do next that
builds on that impact? What could be done to dramatically improve how
"democracy builders" (the non tech folks) use online engagement to
share knowledge and motivation like the civic tech/open government
crowd does so well?
This is just the beginning of what might be explored.
With UK Board member Mary Reid and US Board Member Laura Waterman
Wittstock retiring (thank you!), E-Democracy's Board is ready to take
on new members. We will be reviewing applicants over the next couple
months.
We do have a strong interest in seeing Board applicants who are active
on our online community forums (e.g. Minneapolis Neighbors Forums,
Framingham forums) as well as those engaged globally via our civic
tech and open government Facebook Group. As we are currently
member-supported via individual donations, those with fund raising
experience will add to our base. But surprise us with your skills,
interests, and passion. All ages welcome as well ... note that I
started E-Democracy when I was 25.
Here is the process.
1. Read these two short documents:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/about/mission/plan
http://forums.e-democracy.org/about/people/board/duties
2. You may *optionally* review our recent work, current Board list, etc.:
http://blog.e-democracy.org/posts/2688
http://forums.e-democracy.org/about/people/board/
http://e-democracy.org/if - local forums background
https://www.facebook.com/groups/opengovgroup/ - knowledge exchange
3. Apply:
http://po.st/edemboardapplication
4. The Board will review applications and determine which candidates
fit our greatest needs right now.
On a related point, if you would rather just volunteer with
E-Democracy in our local forums, note this form (if you want to help
with the pledge drive for 2017, note that in the comment box, we have
a special committee): http://e-democracy.org/volunteer
Or if you would like to assist the newly forming Advisory Committee
for our Open Government and Civic Technology Facebook Group, send me a
note: <email obscured>
E-Democracy was a small civic spark in 1994. Today, it is steady flame
in a world swirling with explosions related too often to the negative
uses of technology and social media in society and politics. As the
social media world around us generates heat, threatens civility in
democracy, and often tears our communities a part based on difference,
let us find a way to see the light of not just what is easily
possible, but what is seemly impossible but essential for strong
communities and vibrant democracies in the digital era.
Sincerely,
Steven Clift
Founder and Executive Director, E-Democracy.org
http://e-democracy.org - http://e-democracy.org/donate
Steven Clift - Executive Director, E-Democracy.org
<email obscured> - +1 612 234 7072
@democracy - http://linkedin.com/in/netclift
http://1radionews.com - My radio app
technology projects, is getting ready for what's next.
This message is an invitation to apply for 2-3 openings on the
E-Democracy Board. We meet via teleconference, so this is an
opportunity for all.
In a social media world dominated by big market players, we are a
proudly volunteer-powered and participant supported digital farmer's
market. We are now one of the only independent, non-profit,
open-source technology hosted, citizen-based efforts supporting local
online civic engagement in the world.
With our recent pledge drive, we doubled our number of individual
donors compared to two years ago. These vital funds pay for our
essential technology hosting and help desk to support our many
volunteers and thousands of participants.
With our ongoing outreach, within two years we've built perhaps the
world's most useful and globally diverse online communities sharing
knowledge in our space with the Open Government and Civic Technology
Facebook Group.
You get involved with E-Democracy because you believe in strengthening
your local community with digital tools. And/or you get involved
because you care about actually improving democracy and promoting open
government with digital innovation everywhere. With this unique
local-global hybrid approach, we go locally deep with inclusive online
community and civic engagement where volunteers have stepped forward
and global with convening and 24x7 lesson sharing online.
Looking Forward
E-Democracy has two major trends/opportunities to consider:
1. Local online civic engagement - From reviewing the open source
platform we use or will use in future years to working to share our
inclusion mission, lessons, and strategic actions with the thousands
of everyday e-citizens fostering local online engagement on platforms
like Facebook Groups, we have lots to consider when it comes to
serving local communities online.
2. Global civic technology and democracy online networking - Our
vibrant Facebook Group, the Democracies Online Newswire, our directory
of online e-democracy related groups, and global speaking and online
lesson sharing is extremely important. What should we do next that
builds on that impact? What could be done to dramatically improve how
"democracy builders" (the non tech folks) use online engagement to
share knowledge and motivation like the civic tech/open government
crowd does so well?
This is just the beginning of what might be explored.
With UK Board member Mary Reid and US Board Member Laura Waterman
Wittstock retiring (thank you!), E-Democracy's Board is ready to take
on new members. We will be reviewing applicants over the next couple
months.
We do have a strong interest in seeing Board applicants who are active
on our online community forums (e.g. Minneapolis Neighbors Forums,
Framingham forums) as well as those engaged globally via our civic
tech and open government Facebook Group. As we are currently
member-supported via individual donations, those with fund raising
experience will add to our base. But surprise us with your skills,
interests, and passion. All ages welcome as well ... note that I
started E-Democracy when I was 25.
Here is the process.
1. Read these two short documents:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/about/mission/plan
http://forums.e-democracy.org/about/people/board/duties
2. You may *optionally* review our recent work, current Board list, etc.:
http://blog.e-democracy.org/posts/2688
http://forums.e-democracy.org/about/people/board/
http://e-democracy.org/if - local forums background
https://www.facebook.com/groups/opengovgroup/ - knowledge exchange
3. Apply:
http://po.st/edemboardapplication
4. The Board will review applications and determine which candidates
fit our greatest needs right now.
On a related point, if you would rather just volunteer with
E-Democracy in our local forums, note this form (if you want to help
with the pledge drive for 2017, note that in the comment box, we have
a special committee): http://e-democracy.org/volunteer
Or if you would like to assist the newly forming Advisory Committee
for our Open Government and Civic Technology Facebook Group, send me a
note: <email obscured>
E-Democracy was a small civic spark in 1994. Today, it is steady flame
in a world swirling with explosions related too often to the negative
uses of technology and social media in society and politics. As the
social media world around us generates heat, threatens civility in
democracy, and often tears our communities a part based on difference,
let us find a way to see the light of not just what is easily
possible, but what is seemly impossible but essential for strong
communities and vibrant democracies in the digital era.
Sincerely,
Steven Clift
Founder and Executive Director, E-Democracy.org
http://e-democracy.org - http://e-democracy.org/donate
Steven Clift - Executive Director, E-Democracy.org
<email obscured> - +1 612 234 7072
@democracy - http://linkedin.com/in/netclift
http://1radionews.com - My radio app
