Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Changebloggers: Using Social Media to Create Social Change

It's time to expand my Changeblogger reading/listening/viewing list.

If you have a favorite blog (or podcast or vlog) that uses its platform to raise awareness, build community and/or facilitate readers/listeners/viewers' taking action to make the world a better place, will you post the blogs/podcasts/vlogs' name and URL in the comments? I'll re-post the list of blogs/podcasts/vlogs you suggest on May 21st.

Also, while having coffee with Chris Naff of HumanKindMedia yesterday, I realized there isn't a conference or meetup, or any kind of get together, that I know of (see update), just for bloggers, podcasters and vloggers whose main focus is to use their blog, podcast or vlog to create social change. Do you know of one? Would you like attend one? Lemme know . . .

Update: The We Media Conference is a gathering of, "companies and individuals committed to harnessing the power of media, communication and human ingenuity for the common good."

Update May 23, 2008: Here is a compiled list of all of your suggestions: Changeblogger List + Wanna Meetup?







36 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:56 PM

    Hi Britt - I just wanted to ask if you would consider my blog:

    http://www.serendipityfactory.com/happy-discoveries/

    I don't know if it falls into the category of making the world a better place, but I try to find people who are -- and highlight them.

    I found you through the Greater Good blog, and I enjoy your site + your blogroll. I want to highlight you and some of those people in my future newsletters / blog. So many are so beautiful!

    I am also considering the 29 Day giving challenge!

    Thanks for your consideration...

    Traci

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous1:21 PM

    Thanks, Britt, for the link to HumanKind Media. In the "Oops! I forgot to mention" category for our coffee yesterday, I forgot to tell you how wonderful your post and your 28-day giving challenge were for me. Along those lines, I like helpothers.org and the smile cards, and all of the Charityfocus.org projects, and the TED talks, who might have a blog, but should if they don't. Also, Lucy at MillionIdeas4Peace (http://millionideas4peace.blogspot.com/)is a nice blog promoting social change. I like how you're thinking...Count me in!

    ReplyDelete
  3. My blog, EducateDeviate, aims to change the perception of schools and education in Malaysia and give support to young people: http://educatedeviate.wordpress.com

    My friend Pelf runs The Giving Hands, which covers all sorts of charity and conservation topics: http://thegivinghands.org/

    it would be great to have this list when you're done with it :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. http://www.alldaybuffet.org

    is an organization that uses social networking for social change...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello, I write my blog to increase awareness about disability issues:
    http://bbandbohmy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous7:08 AM

    I LOVE IDEALIST. They do it all...connect people to people, organizations, and ideas. It's where I go to find out what's out there and what I can do.

    ReplyDelete
  7. These are all great. Keep 'em coming!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey there Britt, I am one of the bloggers at www.Ecolocalizer.com . We highlight whats going on with respect to localization in a number of places in the U.S. I cover the Bay Area.

    ReplyDelete
  9. big fan of equityblog.org and acsblog.org - both from a civil rights perspective. the new blog from ThePoint.com is pretty great too: makesomethinghappen.net.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Britt,

    I use my blog http://blog.giveindia.org to

    * discuss issues related to poverty in India
    * showcase the work of credible, transparent non-profits
    * highlight the importance of donor engagement

    ReplyDelete
  11. The Gaia online community/blogosphere started out life at "Zaadz" (Dutch for 'seeds'). When Gaiamdotcom bought it last year there was a distinct rumble in the village; an anxiety that Gaiam would use us all for commercial gain. But it remains a warm and delightful phenomenon on the web with a supportive quality akin to my local in-the-flesh women's circle.
    Corrina ~ http://timetoshine.gaia.com/blog

    Thanks Britt for all you do (and make it fun!)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for highlighting Tri to End Homelessness in the past. We certainly hope to inspire others to use their own talents to raise funds for issues / organizations they believe in.

    www.tritoendhomelessness.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous11:34 AM

    Hi Britt. I don't know of such a conference but I sure would be interested in attending one! I've spoken to the publisher of http://www.bestgreenblogs.com who at one point was possibly considering some kind of meetup of Green Bloggers. Don't know if anything's happening there. But a more general "social change" group not specifically focused on environmental issues, but including eco-bloggers of course, would be great. Are you thinking of working on something like this? Maybe I could help.

    BTW, looks like your interview will go up at Fake Plastic Fish next week. Had to catch up on some other posts this week!

    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous11:38 AM

    Oh, and of course I have to take the opportunity to promote the Take Back The Filter BRITA recycling campaign (http://www.takebackthefilter.org). In addition to being a completely ground-up grassroots movement, it's an example of how the Blogger platform can be used to create a mostly static web site that includes an updated news section. Crunchy Chicken's Goods4Girls campaign uses a similar strategy.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous2:28 PM

    allvoices.com is a great resource.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous2:33 PM

    Hi Britt! Great work here! We need more socially conscious bloggers!

    I am a successful businesswoman and I was also once homeless. Now I've started the charitable foundation Up With Women to help share the stories of women who are living extraordinary lives and who were also once homeless. Now we're getting ready to give our first grants back into the community. We're helping to get women off the streets, out of shelters and into safe, financially stable lives. We have also done some wonderful work both in public policy influence and in public awareness. Check us out! www.upwithwomen.com

    By the way, if anyone out there knows someone who can help me set up a REAL blog, you'll see on my blog page that I do it all manually. I'm totally lost!

    Cheers, and here's to great people doing great work!!

    Lia

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a blog that chronicles the development of a project to empower indigenous women in Panama. They make beautiful, all organic plant fiber handbags, but have no one to buy them because they are so isolated. Check it out: www.bagsmakeadifference.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Britt,

    I represent that portion of bloggers who are sometimes after social change with their blogs, and sometimes, we just wanna have a little fun...so Half Have Fun, Half Do Good, so to speak.

    I believe one of the best uses of the Internet anyone can make is to use it for change. It’s lovely to see this society and generation embrace the individual’s voice. I think bloggers have the chance to be the coagulators of voices to help build critical mass for change.

    Some great stuff here in the comments too! Kudos to the creator of Take Back the Filter!

    ~ Rachel

    ReplyDelete
  19. www.do-greater.com is a site for people to contribute ideas about any ways, big or small, to make positive change in the world.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hooray, great list! My new blog Social media for social change is looking to highlight the efforts of these very same folks. I'll definitely be reading through these!

    I'm also putting together a panel to pitch for next year's SXSW on this topic, so any interested folks please feel free to drop me a line at mriggen@gmail.com. I've got a great line-up already for both non-profit and for-profit companies who are looking to make the world a better place using social media. Very cool stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous10:10 AM

    While the following isn't a blog that works specifically on taking action to create social change, it is focused on using social media in the non-profit field. Thought you might want to check it out.

    http://beth.typepad.com/beths_blog/
    Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

    While I'd love to attend any conference or meet up, working "on the ground" as a case manager/advocate for an extremely small non-profit (I invite you to visit our new website - www.phpnw.org) means that I have no funds for travel, conference fees, etc. But, if it's online, I'll be there!

    My appreciation to everyone who's posted - lots of great links!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yes - NTEN is a nonprofit tech group with some great affinity groups for people using social media to change the world. They do produce conferences as well. I've gotten a lot out of my participation in the groups.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Britt,

    I've got to plug my own blog: So What Can I Do - the public service weblog promoting ethics in action. Thanks for all you do at Have Fun * Do Good!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Britt,

    I have to plug my blog: So What Can I Do - the public service weblog promoting ethics in action. Thanks for all you do at Have Fun * Do Good!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hey Britt, check out my blog @ www.caddystage.com and let me know what you think. Great Blog by the way.

    I posted on the Facebook wall about the Podcamp 3 that will be held in Boston on July 18-20.. I will be attending, all new at this but absolutely enjoy blogging. Please let me know what you think
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous11:41 AM

    Change/Wire is the blog of Service Nation, an organization which is working to create a national service campaign. We're working through the blog, as well as Facebook and other social media outputs, to raise awareness and commitment.

    I'd love to see the list when it's finished!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous11:15 AM

    Hi Britt,

    Thanks so much for compiling this - I definitely added a few new links to my 'must read' list today. Count me in for in-person gatherings as well, whenever possible.

    And aly k., if you see this, thanks for spreading the word about Idealist.org! We are doing our best to use our home page blog to highlight people and organizations in our network who are translating their good intentions into action. I am always happy to hear from folks who have a scoop to share.

    Julia Smith
    julia at idealist dot org
    Washington, DC

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous1:13 PM

    Hello Britt,

    What a great idea and nice that so many are helping to expand the list. I'm up for personal meet-ups as well (I'm in DC). I currently use the following sites to find meet ups: www.meetup.com and Social Media Club. Would def. be interested in social change ones. My blog: www.fly4change.wordpress.com is about social marketing - the real social marketing that works to influence and change attitudes and behaviors for the betterment of society.

    I also like the blogs Spare Change and Public Sector Marketing 2.0. Some org's that are great resources are: The UK National Social Marketing Center, ACT Responsible, and the Turning Point Social Marketing National Excellence Collaborative.

    Also, for younger folks, FLIP, Future Leaders in Philanthropy, is a great resource too.

    Thanks for your hard work! Now my bf even has your blog in his favorites, =)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous1:19 PM

    Britt, what an inspiring collection of resources you've created here! I have just recently revived my blog, Blogging on Purpose, companion site to my book, The Difference a Day Makes: 365 Ways to Change Your World in Just 24 Hours. Both offer simple ways to affect causes you care about -- none taking more than one day to start and finish, and none requiring a cash outlay. Thanks so much for the difference you make ~ Karen M. Jones
    http://www.bloggingonpurpose.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous8:34 AM

    I generally see my blog as being an educational tool, though I do ultimately hope it changes the way people view/react to genocide. I should add that I think the idea of a conference is pretty interesting, as it might stimulate networking and perhaps even inspire a few collaborative blog/non-blog projects.

    ReplyDelete
  31. WOW! What a list. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and kind words. I've rounded up all of your comments and emails and some links of mine own into a new Changeblogger list:

    Changeblogger List

    ReplyDelete
  32. Based on an idea by Tim Zimmermann of Change/Wire, I started a Changeblogger Facebook group as a place for folks to connect and organize.

    ReplyDelete
  33. This valuable information will make a way for you to engage them in conversation that will give you the opportunity to email, call or even meet them in person and present your offers to them. tiktok

    ReplyDelete
  34. Tinder Clone is one of the options for launching a business quickly. The igniters include the greatest Tinder clone script as well as different network alternatives that spark the idea of connecting people with similar interests based on their location. Contact the top developer immediately if you're looking for the best Tinder clone App!

    ReplyDelete
  35. It's really great stuff. Good to know about Delivery Management Software companies. You can get anything you need from a nearby store delivered to you in just a few minutes with the help of Apptunix, a company that makes Delivery Management Software.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thank you for sharing an interesting article on Social media. In current scenario Social Media is like a trend. Thank you again! Keep sharing More Post.

    ReplyDelete

If you are having trouble commenting, please let me know.
http://brittbravo.com/contact