if we want it to...

Climate Change and Moving the Planet Beyond Fossil Fuels

You read that right: 2011.

Let’s imagine for a moment, that right now we’re not nearing the end of 2010 -- we’re wrapping up 2011, the year online organizers shot for the stars. At first glance, things look similar: we’re still updating our Twitter status, & Facebook feeds. Yet somehow things feel drastically & dramatically different.

A fierce hope is in the air. All our tools feel new, even though none of them have launched recently. There is a fresh sense that we’re on to something that could change everything. It had been a helluva year.

So, what happened?

As some of you know, I'm spending some time unplugged in Burlington, Vermont this winter, near a great lake: reflecting on life, and renewing my spirit for the inspiring work so many are doing right now. Within this space, I discovered a post last night that really touches the nerve of where a lot of my thoughts have been lately. The post, "To all you Cynics" by Nicco Mele, dives deep into the nature of change ("change requires struggle"), the great power and traps of social networks, and the courage to not just think in incremental steps -- but to imagine and build towards a wholly different, better world. I sincerely suggest taking the time to read the short post in full.

This letter is part of a wonderful online surprise birthday party for Beth Kanter organized by Amy Sample Ward & Stacey Monk. You're invited to join the fun by sharing a post on how Beth has impacted your work -- and by supporting Cambodian students with a donation to the Sharing Foundation!

Dear Beth,

You've impacted my work -- and the world -- in so many incredible ways.

I still remember your first comment on my first NetSquared blog post, which pushed me to keep thinking about ways to evolve the social media landscape for change, and start acting to make those changes happen. It's hard to believe that was just shy of two years ago.

"Just read your analysis and discovered your blog! Hope you'll post more often to this blog because you have some good insights!"

Since leaving that comment, a lot has happened - and yet I remember how your early words of support gave me the confidence to move forward in the new world of networked social change. Whenever I work on collaborative projects (from Knowmore.org, to SocialActions.com, to 350.org) and we dream of a new way to leverage the web to connect communities for change, I reflect back on how you had a hand in that impact. In a profoundly connected sense, you've enabled thousands of people to shop more sustainably online, you've remixed a brilliant array of websites with ways to take action, and you've co-sparked a global movement to tackle the climate crisis.

And you've given me the greatest gift of all -- a more fulfilled, inspired, and hopefully inspiring life. This note may not seem enough cheesy 2.0 -- yet I hope it carries my great gratitude for your wired & world changing butterfly effects.

Many never-ending thanks - from me, and with so many friends & colleagues. Happy Birthday!

Onwards & upwards from here,

Joe

As someone who's been jaded about social media for social change, I've never been more hopeful that a connected web changes the game for how we can spark our communities for real world action. When it comes to the climate crisis, We are wiring a safe & sane climate future -- how we use the web is helping to raise unheard voices and bring a global movement together for change.

This is a lightly revised note that I shared with 157 fellow Net Tuesday Organizers this past Friday evening, concerning Causes' recent announcement to 'abandon 184,674 users' on MySpace. Here's a quick way for you to share it on Twitter & Facebook.

Dear friends,

I hope this note finds you well on a lovely evening. Or morning. Or afternoon. We're a truly global bunch - so this note could find you at just about any time of day or night. Which offers somewhat of an introduction to something I want to share with you.

So much of the work we do is around connecting people across boundaries, from different countries & time-zones (from Douala to Tokyo to Vancouver) to different ethnicities, classes, and cultures within our own communities. While we don't have a stated mission, it may be fair to say we use the web to strengthen the fabric of our social ties with the intent of weaving together a better world. We use and push for tools that break down barriers, help diverse voices get heard, and bring more of us together for the beautiful array of changes we all seek.

Sadly, Something recently happened in the world of web tools for social change that seems to go against this -- of what we aspire for and work towards with a democratic web.

Every month, a group called #4Change organizes open & lively conversations about how web-connected communities and our use of social media tools are helping to create change in the world. #4Change Chats are hosted on Twitter - Read “Join the Conversation” below for ways to jump into the discussion.

The next #4change chat is this Thursday – we hope you can join us!

Details:

• Date: Oct, 8th

• Where: Twitter (search for #4Change)

• When: 2 – 4 pm US Pacific Time, 5 – 7 pm US Eastern Time, 10pm - 12am London, UK (Late!)

• Topic: How does the web & social media change the way we address climate change?

Are you looking for awesome jobs in the tech/ social media/ social enterprise/ nonprofit space?

I am, and I've found it frustrating to have to search for jobs everyday on a bunch of different sites and forums. So, as a project for rock stars for hire (in collaboration with Rachel Weidinger and Alex Steed), I mashed together a tool that brings job posts to me – by delivering them to my inbox every morning.

And the fun part is - you can use it too! Subscribe to a daily email newsletter of job opportunities here!

Web of Change is an upcoming gathering (Sep 23rd - 27th) that brings together the social change and technology community - on an intimate Island retreat in British Columbia - to share their world-class work, ideas, and inspiration with a powerful community of deeply committed peers.

The Web of Change team also just offered 10 Scholarship opportunities!

You can fill out the scholarship form for your chance to receive free tuition. Scholarship Applications are due by midnight PST, Thursday August 20th.

Dear community of friends & colleagues,

I am on a personal and professional pursuit, which I'm excited to share - I'm on a quest to join and contribute my skills to awesome teams & projects that are working to help connect & catalyze communities for social change.

My work over the last 3+ years has focused on supporting nonprofits, organizations, & communities in leveraging social media & web tools to better address local and global challenges. Now I'm looking to keep the momentum going and contribute everything I have to offer to new opportunities in the social change space.

To get a bit more specific - I am seeking opportunities within organizations, foundations, & consulting groups at the intersections of:

• community building,
• communities of action,
• local & globally distributed events,
• social media & online engagement strategy,
• research & resource sharing (including blogging, articles, wikis, etc.),
• and leveraging the web to facilitate collaboration between individuals, communities, & organizations