Archive for February, 2009

Special Guest at Shout Out Social

Published February 28, 2009 art & design , non profit 1 Comment
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It started off as a small virtual creative challenge – supported by a real life event to raise some cash and awareness for a nonprofit cause. Now Shout Out Social has grown a little bit more to include some great guest speakers. I’d still love to see heaps more photos or art in the Flickr Group (anyone can submit!) Anyhows, here’s a little blurb about the event…

Shout Out Social promises to be a special two hour event for anyone interested in the arts and community development. This celebration of the creative voice will include a digital exhibition of images and words created by people around the world, and a video message from the inspiring visual journalist Eileen Clegg.  Special guest speaker, actor and playwright Shahin Shafaei will be there to share some words, drawing upon his incredible personal story.

Shahin Shafaei

Shahin Shafaei

Shahin Shafaei, an acclaimed actor and playwright in his native home of Iran fled his country after having his work banned. He found his way to Australia in 2000 through Indonesian people smugglers, and ended up spending 22 months at Curtin immigration detention center in WA – 10 of those months in isolation. These days Shahin continues his creative work and empowers others to share their own amazing stories through the arts.

This special event will be held one night only – Saturday 14th March 5pm to 7pm at Horse Bazaar in Melbourne (which kicks on until late.) Entry is free and a donation box will be available to raise funds for a Opportunity International Australia project.

You still have your chance to submit photos or artwork to the Flickr group.
RSVP to the event on Facebook or help to spread the word by becoming a Fan! Please tell your friends and come along to be inspired and help make a difference!

Andy Piper shouts out for Friendship from the UK

Andy Piper shouts out for Friendship from the UK

Gypsychk shouts out for Green Spaces from the US

Gypsychk shouts out for Green Spaces from the US

And if you would like to be involved in any way – please shout out!

wonderwishlist

Published February 28, 2009 inspiration 1 Comment
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Some fun web-esque things I would like to try this year…if I can squeeze in the time. Or maybe next….

  1. Create an ebook about women for women.
  2. Create a wonderwebby site with loads of goodness and links.
  3. Record and edit a podcast. Byte-size stories about interesting things.
  4. Make a short video. It has been way too long.  Either something creative or a doco.

What’s on your wonderwishlist?


Photo originally uploaded by Gordana Adamovic-Mladenovic

Slides from HR Futures

Published February 27, 2009 learning Leave a Comment
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Openness. Trust. Collaboration. Stealth.

Some great themes came out of yesterday’s Inspecht HR Futures conference!

I uploaded my slides on Slideshare

and @trib did too

When you think HR programs, do you think Twitter and Wikis? Because we sure did yesterday!

Creative fundraising using social media

Published February 25, 2009 non profit , social media , web 2.0 Leave a Comment
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Over the last few months I have been exploring some creative webby ways to raise funds for a special project enabling the poor to work their way out of poverty. So what kind of circumstances, tools and people help to make that happen?

Honestly, if I had never started blogging, using Twitter, or building up some great online friendships I wonder if this would have happened. There are some wonderful people out there! Still I have a long way to go,  raising some funds. Here are some examples of social media I’m trying out to do this.

1.A place to raise funds – Chipin. This website has been helpful in creating a page where people can make payments, with the added benefit of a visible widget updating the fundraising status.  People have donated over AU$1200 so far this way and left some lovely comments of support. On problem is I’d like more flexibility to display Australian dollars and I can’t embed it in this blog or Facebook (I think). Also the ‘page’/blogging functionality is pretty crude so I ended up creating a blog.

2.A place to call home - a Blog. Yeah, yeah I created another blog. I used Blogger so that I could easily embed the Chipin Widget. In retrospect, I’m not sure if a blog was the best way to go, but it’s there now. I also created a page about the project on this blog.

3. Another place to promote – Facebook. I have used the Facebook Fanpage for my next creative project and exhibition.  Not wildly successful yet but I guess it’s all a case of ‘wait and see’.

4. A place to mention it – Twitter. No, I didn’t create a second Twitter account for my ambassadorship. I could, but I think it’s important to know your own limits. When you have part time work, a great husband, three young boys under the age of six, and your fingers in other creative pies – another Twitter account just didn’t seem to be priority! I’m trying not to bombard people on Twitter with requests to participate or donate, but I’m thinking of a Twitter challenge on International Women’s Day.

5. A place to stitch images together - Slideshare. I was fortunate enough to get a couple of slides featured on the homepage, but I’m not sure it helped to raise any funds. At least Slideshare has been a central place to share some of the creative work.

6. A place for people to get something in return – RedBubble. Yesterday I uploaded some of my photography to RedBubble. So you can now buy cards or prints with all proceeds going straight into the Paypal account I set up for this fundraising project.

rb_buy

I have also played around with Tumblr and Youtube (using Animoto) and I’m helping Opportunity International Australia get more of their content online for use in social media. I’m even giving Flickr a go for the current creative challenge.

I’ll give an update in June once I have raised some more money. The funds will establish a group of 15 to 30 of these entrepreneurial poor. The project is similar to the good work of Kiva, except this Opportunity International project additionally focuses on equipping individuals to develop small businesses AND impact their community.As soon as I raise the AU$10,000 the group will be sponsored and I can share their encouraging stories with you.

What about you? Have you used any social media for nonprofit fundraising? I’d love for you to share your story.

If you would like to make a difference and donate (tax deductible) to this project against poverty,  you can do so over at Chipin

More Shout Out entries

Published February 23, 2009 non profit 3 Comments
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You are inspiring me.

From the Flickr pool (anyone can add a photo) by Penni

Shouting Out from Melbourne Australia to transform communities for www.facebook.com/pages/Shout-Out-Social/52115616850

Shouting Out from Melbourne Australia to transform communities

From Amy Jussel of Shaping Youth in response to the last Shout Out post:

shaping-youth

I’d like to shout out for ACCOUNTABILITY!

From industry, parents, media/marketing mavens and the youth themselves, we’re ALL stakeholders in taking responsibility for how messaging and actions are uniquely entwined. It may take visual insight and media distribution like this to shout about it…but it’s clearly a necessary element! We all have a role in creating a massive mindshift toward healthier living for our planet, for ourselves…

What will you Shout Out for? Three weeks to go (less if you want your images included in the exhibition, raising funds for a project against poverty in the Philippines)

Upcoming Events: informal learning, changing our world

Published February 21, 2009 non profit Leave a Comment
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Somehow I have got myself involved in a few special events over the next few weeks :o

1. Inspecht HR Futures Conference this Thursday in Melbourne. I’ve put together a presentation to showcase some of the work IBMers are doing in the area of informal learning, web 2.0, virtual worlds along with some insights into my own personal experience, and tips for creating a successful informal learning experience.  If you intend to register, let me know as I can give two people a discount of 30%! I’m looking forward to hearing some of the other speakers including Stephen Collin’s observations from TED.

2. International Women’s Day event “Renewing Ourselves Changing Our World” hosted by the Global Dialogue Center, Women in the Lead. I am so honoured to be on a panel for this event for women around the world. I’m participating in the second half  “changing the world” at 7.30am Sat 7 March Melbourne time (talking about the Women’s Investment project)and there are some AMAZING speakers. From their blog:


It’s a NEW DAY!
Renewing Ourselves; Changing the World
Friday March 6 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET
(10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. PT)
Location:
Online at the Women in the Lead at the
Global Dialogue Center CONFERENCE CENTER
This special day is a gift to women everywhere sponsored by Women in the Lead at the Global Dialogue Center in partnership with Women’s Radio. There are no fees, but you must register to get the login information to set-up your computer and to attend.

WAYS TO LEARN MORE…

  • Listen to our personal audio invitation Click HERE
    from Founders, Debbe Kennedy, Global Dialogue Center and Pat Lynch, Women’s Radio
  • It’s a NEW DAY – PDF Brochure with link to register.

Our focus will be on women’s leadership, professional, and personal development. We’ve planned two dialogue themes: 1) Renewing Ourselves so we are ready to contribute and lead the way at this time of both crisis and opportunity. 2) Changing the World …an inspiring exploration of how we can put our differences to work to build better organizations, healthier communities, stronger families, and a better world for everyone than we know today. We also have extraordinary women leadership trailblazers and role models to inspire our conversation from regions around the world, including accomplished thought leaders…

SPECIAL GUESTS…
We have extraordinary women leadership trailblazers and role models you will not want to miss. They will be joining us to inspire our conversation from regions around the world, including…

United States Congresswomen Barbara Lee representing the 9th Congressional District in California
http://lee.house.gov/

Harriet Mayor Fulbright, President, J. William and Harriet Fulbright Center
…Fostering peace and justice through education and collaboration
UNITED STATES
http://jwhfulbright.org/

Daphne Nederhorst, Founder and Executive Director
SAWA Global Empowering unknown leaders in the world’s 50 poorest countries
http://www.sawaglobal.com
CANADA

Cécile Demailly, co-author, Women @ Work No. 10:
Networking: The New Ariadne’s Thread
http://www.europeanpwn.net/index.php?article_id=54
Building awareness of the power of women networking.
Founder and Executive Consultant, Early Strategies
FRANCE

No FEES, our gift to you, but you must register to receive
HOW TO ATTEND information for logging in ONLINE to the event
and the audio options available to you. Space is limited; reserve your seat.
Invite a friend!

Registration LINK: https://www120.livemeeting.com/lrs/0000011799/Registration.aspx?pageName=fj56g81t7lbj242g
Allow a few seconds for the link to open.

3. Shout Out Social (of course) a fundraising event I’m coordinating with your help, for Opportunity International. The event will be hosted by Horse Bazaar, featuring a digital wall show and positive video messages about using your creative voice for positive change. I would love for you to be my guest. Sat 14th March 5-7pm. Free Entry, donation box for your tax deductible donations and pledges will be available.

Who says blogging is a waste of time? When you end up being involved with events like these, you know that your (enjoyable) investment was worth the effort!

Shouting Out for Friendship

Published February 19, 2009 inspiration , non profit 6 Comments
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I’m continuously amazed by the encouragement and support of  friends during  my Opportunity Australia Ambassadorship. Just when you think the next project won’t come together, somebody gives you the right advice, somebody takes a moment to help out and it comes alive again. Yay for collaboration!

Here’s a little update on the Shout Out Project which is happening over the next few weeks.

Also I’m thrilled that some amazing women around the world, like Eileen Clegg (look at her Engelbart mural!) will be sharing some inspirational messages on the power of using your creative voice for positive change. You can view these at the event  on a digital wall show and I hope to upload them to YouTube afterwards.

You can still submit your photos or artwork on Flickr, on your blog or email wonderwebby at gmail.com

Here are some words to help you think of an image. What will you shout out for?

some words to shout out for

some words to shout out for

Invitation to a Creative Cultural Partnership

Published February 17, 2009 art & design , creative therapy , non profit , purpose , web 2.0 Leave a Comment
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I like to dream. And I like to be terribly practical.
I like to indulge in creative pursuits. And I like to make a real difference where it matters.
I believe that imagination can assist in social transformation.
I am inspired when creative individuals are equipped and empowered to participate in life changing projects.


more films available for viewing on the VCA website

I know some of you have a real passion for narrative therapy, creative programs for shaping youth and the use of social media for non profit programs amongst other innovative endeavours. Are you looking for potential partnership opportunities to discuss your area of interest? Are you curious about the role of the arts in “cultural democracy; community leadership and cultural citizenship; youth arts, creativity and urban culture; and the role of the artist in social innovation strategies?” Are you interested in the evaluation of the arts in community cultural development? With your dreams and skills in mind, would you also like to be involved in programs, conferences and alliances with the VCA Centre for Cultural Partnership (CCP)? Please let me know.

I’m both flattered and excited to attend the first VCA CCP Advisory Committee meeting this week and would love to share your interest. This is a such a great opportunity for discussion and collaboration.

Do you have a passion for community cultural development? Who has inspired you? Which great examples have you had the privelege to participate in or view?

Compassionate Communities

Published February 14, 2009 purpose 1 Comment
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In the spirit of @shaicoggin’s Valentines Day love post, I too have been thinking about the amazing outpouring of compassion seen amongst tragic circumstances this week – nearly 2000 homes destroyed (7000 displaced people) and hundreds of lives lost in a deadly, unpredictable firestorm in Victoria.

Australians have come together swiftly and efficiently, even friends overseas have chipped in. Everybody seems to be helping in some way. Our local schools and preschools are already fundraising; small businesses and large corporations are donating goods and money to the Red Cross Bushfire appeal. People are being inventive, decisive and resolute to support communities who have lost so much.

My own employers are, amongst other things providing some servers to temporary schools and the State Emergency Service.  Our employees are volunteering to staff a call centre for the Red Cross this weekend and huuuge numbers of employees  donated a mountain of quality clothing – more than 15 pallet loads from Cumberland Forest (one office) alone for the Salvation Army. Large organisations are working together with the Premier’s Department for short term and long term assistance to affected communities.

I am amazed by the dedication of volunteers around the state, the Firefighters, Vic Police, Department of Human Services, Salvos, the Alfred Hospital Staff and so many more. Thank you.

The fires are still burning and we are thinking of the volunteers and those living near fire affected areas. It seems so close – we even saw backburning in the distance tonight (‘scuse the poor quality photo) which made us feel ill at ease.

fires burning towards kinglake

Thinking of Victorians this weekend.

To those who have lost, our hearts go out to you and your communities.
To those who are giving. Thank you for being so determined to make a difference.

Victorian Bushfires – how you can help

Published February 9, 2009 non profit , purpose 14 Comments
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Edit: please go to http://www.fireupdates.org/ for up to date information on ways to help.

You have probably caught up on the dreadful news about the bushfires here in Victoria, now apparently known as ‘Black Saturday’. Tragically, there are now over 181 people confirmed dead (predicted to reach  up to 300),  over a thousand homes lost and estimated five thousand left homeless. As far as I know there are still 31 fires burning.

I’ve been using Twitter, Facebook and personal blogs to check on friends, who are thankfully safe. They tell me their communities will obviously be recovering from this for a very, very long time. My husband and I have been following Twitter hashtag #bushfires to find out how you and I can help. I’m posting this ‘unofficia’l list here for friends not on Twitter.

DONATE

  • You can donate to the Red Cross Bushfire appeal  1800 811 700 or in the UK, British Red Cross
  • You can donate at Myers and at Bunnings.
  • The Salvos have also launched a cash and donations appeal. For international donations, please go through http://www.salvationarmy.org and specify you want ‘Australian Bushfire Appeal’
  • Vinnies have launched an appeal
  • Telstra will be making a donation and additionally matching dollar for dollar employee contributions up to $250,000.
  • Donations are sought for animals caught in the fires
  • You can donate blood (urgently needed ) 13 14 95 to make an appointment (update: please use web to register as phone lines overloaded – hat tip to Dani for the comment)
  • Some major banks have now set up bank accounts for online donations

SHOP

TAKE ACTION

  • Some people are offering help (homes, paddocks etc) and you can too on or call  1800 006 468 . Some were leaving offers of help on an ABC blog (update: comments now closed) and now via http://forums.tradingpost.com.au/Topic2806-89-1.aspx @DebbieChang asks on Twitter if anyone could think about setting up a webby way to match offers of homes and people needing immediate accommodation (although I guess DHS  might need to be involved??)
  • Join the Vic Bushfires Causes group on Facebook
  • Join the “Applaud the CFA heroes and empathis with the victims of the 09 Vic bushfires” Facebook Group
  • via @vicpremier Anyone willing to volunteer time and skills should call the Bushfire Volunteer Hotline on 1300 366 356 or visit - http://tinyurl.com/b8vb2l
  • Be prepared. Make sure your home is fire-safe and that you have a fire plan in place
  • Leave a message of personal support and care http://victorianbushfires.com

It’s very encouraging to see friends in Australia and overseas reaching out to these communities with compassion. I hope you can too.

You can read more about the Australian social media response to the bushfires over on Lee Hopkin’s blog.

Update: if you know of any other things people can do to assist, please leave a comment. I believe that donations of toys and clothes are not needed this week (hold off until next week) but for now, cash and blood donations needed most urgently.

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About Wonderwebby - by Jasmin Tragas - daydreamer - concept shaper - mother - digital do-gooder
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