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DemocracyInAction.org. Technology for the Masses From Netroots to Grassroots: Converting Online Energy into Real World Action. Coming up. Where we are – (and how we got here) Where we’re going – What’s New. Internet Tools Come of Age.
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DemocracyInAction.org Technology for the Masses From Netroots to Grassroots: Converting Online Energy into Real World Action
Coming up • Where we are – (and how we got here) • Where we’re going – What’s New
Internet Tools Come of Age • In each election cycle we see the internet evolve to meet new demands. • 2000: McCain provides an effective and innovative fundraising tool • 2004: Dean uses the Internet to create an organizational structure with thousands of supporters meeting regularly in real time
Distributed Campaigns • We all know: All Politics is Local • The tools we’re using online are finally catching up to real world organizing techniques • Orgs and campaigns are relinquishing some of their control and giving the masses the tools they need to organize in their own communities on their behalf.
Affinity Groups • Running Against Bush, Mothers Opposing Bush, Billionaires for Bush, Veterans for Kerry • New networked approach to advocacy: all share something in common, share common branding and message, common communications strategy • Have chapters all over the country building strong social ties in local areas • Could not have organized with the same speed and agility without the Internet
Case Study: The MOB (Mothers Opposing Bush) • Started as a small group of mothers in Annapolis • Now has 352 Chapters in 45 states. • Organized over 25K and raised nearly 200K -- All in less than four months - how?
Moving Supporters Up the Ladder of Engagement • First get them to sign up and establish regular communications • Get them to donate • Get them a local contact to organize in their own communities (chapter tools) • Coordinated hundreds of “Lunches for Change” (event/house party tool)
Ingredient A • That nasty thing called SOFTWARE • Tried and true – email, blogs, tell a friend, faxing, letters to the editor, online actions… • … we all know that stuff. But…..
We’ve got some new stuff • SMS Text Messaging • VoIP • Faxing services • Local organizing • A whole bunch of unemployed activist developers?
This election - VoIP • VoIP – RNC Organizing • Dial in phone for events • Listen to live radio reports • Individual Call loops • Send a VoIP Blast • Conference Calls
This Election - SMS • SMS – League of Pissed Off Voters • Day of election reminders • Polling places • GOTV Organizing • Text Loops
Information overload • WE’RE getting overwhelmed • SO ARE our representatives • Subscriptions to dozens of lists • Portals – eh? Huh? Didn’t this fail? • Aggregate emails (digest) • which leads us to…..
Riding on the coattails of industry • Many problems already sovled • Heading towards web services, B2B approaches • Experiencing an explosion of open source technology • Firefox, MySQL, Linux • …which run on….
Ingredient B – Standards • Develop Standards: • Common data • From government • To government • … which means …
YOU get to decide • Tech becomes more affordable • Put your money, your mouth, and your hamsters on the biggest thing • STRATEGY!