Sparked is a brand new online micro-volunteering network where people can use their professional skills to solve nonprofit challenges. Sound familiar? That’s probably because you’ve already heard about the Extraordinaries. In 2009, the Extraordinaries, the team’s original micro-volunteering platform, was awarded a winning place in the NetSquared N2Y4 Mobile Challenge and has since seen massive growth and widespread publicity.

Written by guest blogger, MeiMei Fox, @meimeifox and cross-posted to TechSoup blog.

First for the fun: a new machinima and live mixed video by Drax that features the TechSoup Community team behind the scenes working on the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwAZ1-BstjE

And for the how and why of what we're doing in this community:
The people of TechSoup have been deeply saddened by the recent devastation in Haiti. We have been so inspired and impressed with the many ways folks are using mobile and other technologies to help with disaster relief. Together we have blogged about some of these relief efforts from the great folks at Ushahidi and the Extraordinaries as well as those of our donor partners.

Since the earthquake struck one week ago, there have been a number of technology organizations (from Google to Ushahidi to Frontline SMS Medic), working around the clock with the State Department on a coordinated effort, that uses technology to support the relief efforts in Haiti. The Extraordinaries is one part of this larger initiative.

Visit the Haiti support page here.

Hi all - The Extraordinaries - the on-demand mobile phone volunteering initiative (formerly Volunteer Now) is looking for a software developer to take the prototype we've developed on Android and make it happen in iPhone. We've got the specs all speced out according to the iPhone SDK - and just need to implement. So, if you're interested in joining our team - or just volunteering for a month or two, or if you know anyone who might be, please contact jacob@theextraordinaries.org. And check out our new video!