We talked about a huge number of issues, ranging from the netroots workshop at the state convention to future BlogLeft activism and events.
In terms of the convention, we spoke about having an intro that was slightly shorter than last year’s, leaving more time for breakout groups. There was plenty of interest for a few headliners in the intro group — such as having Doug Rubin (who’s expressed interest in coming back) to discuss various methods in which blogging fits in with Government, as well as why its important. Amberpaw had some great talking points she wanted Doug to discuss, so I’ll let her talk more about them in the comments. There was interest in having someone recently elected who had a good netroots strategy, such as Sonia Chang Diaz. Finally, someone brought up trying to have Act Blue do a short presentation on fundraising using the internet. There was general agreement that we’d probably only do two of those three things – so have at it at the comments.
We discussed having four different breakout groups – and broke out at the meeting ourselves to discuss them. I only have notes on the Social Networking breakout group. Others who were at the event will have to provide more detailed notes on the other potential groups: Citizen Journalism, local cable TV and Netroots 101: a basics “how to” for people with little to no online experience.
On social networking: Last year, I led a “advanced” breakout group that focused on emerging internet tools such as podcasts and sites like Technorati. Basically, on any features that can be added to blogs that improve the experience. Over the past year, sites like Twitter and Facebook have emerged and proved to be powerful tools. So, it was decided to focus on social networking sites, from Facebook and Twitter to Digg or Reddit, in a panel discussion. Interested in helping with this? Have suggestions or expertise? Please use the comments.
Citizen Journalism. Lots of people were interested in citizen journalism, not the least of which is because many feel this is going to become a more important part of the netroots as MSM sites face their demise (including the Globe, locally). Many people were interested in a panel group that would discuss ways to be a better citizen journalist.
Local Cable TV. While not the internet specifically, this seems to fit in with exactly what we’re all trying to do – use technology in engaging ways to make a difference. According to John Walsh, all the local cable channels taken collectively have as many viewers as an 11 o’clock news show on network tv. We had one local cable tv activist/host come in who’s had tremendous success in Dracut, winning two awards in the past year. Anyone who’d like to offer more notes in the comments, please do so, as well as anyone who’s interested in getting involved in this aspect.
Internet 101: There was a general consensus that this was one of the most successful aspects of last year’s workshop, with a huge number of people who both went to this break out and later gave very positive feedback. As with the others, I’d appreciate any more notes or requests to become involved with this aspect in the comments.
—
Outside of the convention talk, we primarily discussed what we want to do as a BlogLeft movement.
There was a lot of talk about how we can better leverage the netroots community. Many spoke about doing more periodical events throughout the year. Cos thought it would be great to even just have an IRC-type live chat channel that BMG community members could use.
As another means of better leveraging our community, several thought about trying to either turn BlogLeft Massachusetts into a nonprofit or a PAC, with an official charter. From there, we could perhaps go after some seed money from some of the grants given out at the national level to state groups — and try to impact state policy through having access to better tools, such as occasional polling.
There was some discussion at the end about the calender on the state party website. Lynne got roped into volunteering to help make it better.
Did I miss anything? Or get something wrong? If so, let us all know in the comments.
Again, thanks everyone for coming and thanks to anyone who would like to be involved in some way. Through activities like these, we not only help make the netroots in Massachusetts better, but also more vibrant. New writers and readers will emerge through our efforts at the state convention and elsewhere — and that only helps make us a more powerful movement as we try to tackle the major problems of today in courageous and progressive new ways.
Thanks to everyone who took part. The Convention workshop presentation last year went well. It was inspired by the Lynne 08 meeting and now is being supported by Lynn 09. We welcome additional people who want to particpate. Contact me at KateDonaghue AT aol DOT com if you are intersted.
The “point person” on citizen journalism, and the facilitator for that breakout group was Cos. He discussed the work he had done in getting the real numbers as to displaced New Orleans Voters – I know I found this to be a fascinating and useful case study. He became the primary source, even for MSM because of the fact checking a real research he completed. Dare I suggest that more of us take the issue and concerns that motivate us to a new level in this fashion, and that Cos flesh out this “case study”? I know I would be interested, for sure.
<
p>I don’t recall having specific points I hoped Doug Rubin would address, actually – sorry. Given the willingness of the Patrick Administration to utilize the internet, though, perhaps “Pragmatic suggestions for netroots civic engagement” would be a useful topic? What do YOU think?
I think it might be helpful to clarify, especially in the context of the ongoing discussions we have here about the future of newspapers and the Globe, that “citizen journalism” — as explicitly framed yesterday — refers to unpaid and non-commercial contributors. Cos spelled out, very compellingly, the various legal and financial implications of paid and for-profit political advocacy.
<
p>As necessary and important as “citizen journalism” will be during the upcoming convention, it is a different topic from questions like “what commercial for-profit entities will replace failing newspapers like the Globe?” It was very helpful for me that Cos and Kate clarified the confusion I had about this question.
<
p>I’m still very interested in exploring what commercially viable ventures will emerge to pay the salaries of the many fine journalists who are watching the clock run out on their jobs at the Globe as we speak.
I’m glad I attended – I’m probably going to need to vote by proxy at the convention, since it looks like I’ll be holding a camera for the interviews with the mucky-mucks backstage – I’m psyched!!
<
p>Also, personal note to Kate D, check the link in my sig line – I got that last $50 this morning, so I’m at $5,000 right now! Next target – $6,000…
Excellent and very helpful write-up. Cos and anyone else with suggestions that BMG can help implement, please fire up a post, or send an email to David, Charley and-or me. đŸ™‚
As a relative “newbie” here, and obviously one involved in the union movement and public employee issues, it’d be interesting to hear the views of others of the mutual interests and diverging interests of the progressive movement and the union movement. When push comes to shove, like in economic hard times, those alliances previously established sometimes fracture…one hopes not irrevocably.
<
p>Short example, the Stand for Children people…good folks all…alienated some formerly allied public employee folks when they suddenly advocated FORCING employees, especially teachers…into the GIC. I speak as someone who negotiated for muni employees who are going into the GIC. The shortsightedness of “my interest good, yours expendable” obviously works both ways, and repeats itself in other places, too. And in times of contraction, reduction, and zero-sum games galore, progressive alliances will encounter these situations more frequently.
<
p>My personal issue is obviously that “good government” progressives are all-too willing on occasion to impose their solutions, especially onto public servants. I guess I am wondering, and wishing to hear, how BMG progressives react to the “times are tough, let’s screw the employees” impulse, and it’s corrollary, “we got screwed in the non-union world, let’s extend that situation to the unionized folks.” Recent comment here on BMG regarding the idea of imposing defined contribution plans on public employees (how’s THAT working out for you private sector folks) because non-unionized sector folks had it done to them, raise this issue for me.
<
p>Perhaps at a blog-community event or here at BMG…and the issue could be more generalized, obviously, into “maintaining alliances in tough times.”
deval, the senate president and speaker to gather with the state’s various public employee unions and try to come up with some sort of fair compromise agreement that can save cities and towns some money, as well as union employees some jobs (and lock in good & fair benefits achieved through cost savings by having bigger buyer power).
<
p>We do need to achieve savings and we do need to create some efficiencies, but that doesn’t have to mean unions have to suffer because of it. By working together, we can achieve these things fairly — I just haven’t seen this state’s major politicians throw out that olive branch.
So glad I came. This was very informative and a lot of fun! Thanks also to everyone who participated.