How Shall We Use Our Changeblogger Super Powers?

[Britt Bravo]

Share your ideas for how to recruit more Changebloggers to join the Network and for how we can use our changeblogs to make the world a better place.

[David Collin]

You know, that's kinda hard to pin down. The whole blogging, social networking thing is pretty organic. You never know exactly how information or an idea is going to propagate. I think it takes persistence in putting out what you think is important and then networking it so there are more pathways for it to take.

[Britt Bravo]

Maybe I should have clarified the question better. What I meant was, are people particularly interested in using the collective power of the network for face-to-face events, group blogging themes, etc.

[David Collin]

Ahh! I just can't read.

I think networks are strengthened by face-to-face interaction. Net Tuesday is a case. I'd encourage occasional local meetings where possible.

Themes, not so much for me. I have rather esoteric tastes and find it kind of hard to comment on general issues of changing the world.

Britt Bravo said:

Maybe I should have clarified the question better. What I meant was, are people particularly interested in using the collective power of the network for face-to-face events, group blogging themes, etc.

[Britt Bravo]

I think you are right about the meetups. There are already 3 listed in the event section of the Network.

[Robin]

Some themes can work for everyone, though, in their way. For example, last year I started a blog celebration on April 16th called "Reader Appreciation Day." It was popular on many kinds of blogs, and I'm planning to do it again in 2009. There are themes that can work broadly in that way. I like the idea that our nonprofit blog www.witsblog.org might link up with others around the globe.

[Britt Bravo]

Thanks, Robin!

There are also online events like Blog Action Day http://blogactionday.org or participating in campaigns like Reading and Blogging for Darfur: http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/08/30/the-big-announcement-is-here-re...

We could also start a "carnival" of Changebloggers.

[David Collin]

I like Robin's idea about linking up in a concerted way. The "network effect" can use some direction.

[Romina Oliverio]

Hello from the new kid around here :)

I agree that face-to-face events are a great way to engage more people and an effective networking tool (not to mention the motivational aspect of meeting like-minded changebloggers).

For those of us who may live outside of the US, it may be a good idea to arrange for online chat days where we could connect via the various chat functions, skype, etc. These online chats could be organized by themes, interests, timezones, etc.

[Britt Bravo]

This is a wonderful idea, Romina. What chat tool(s) do you think would be the best to use?

For those of us who may live outside of the US, it may be a good idea to arrange for online chat days where we could connect via the various chat functions, skype, etc. These online chats could be organized by themes, interests, timezones, etc.

[Romina Oliverio]

Personally, I use Skype, MSN and Google chat, but everyone has their preferences. I find Skype and Google chat are the easiest to use. (MSN often hangs on me and has taken to crash my system quite a few times.)

Maybe a quick survey of online chat tools used amongst the changebloggers would serve as a starting point?

Britt Bravo said:

This is a wonderful idea, Romina. What chat tool(s) do you think would be the best to use?
For those of us who may live outside of the US, it may be a good idea to arrange for online chat days where we could connect via the various chat functions, skype, etc. These online chats could be organized by themes, interests, timezones, etc.

[David Collin]

When I look around now all I see is forces of change...and I don't just mean the election of Barack Obama. Globalism, technology, the economic collapse.

I don' think getting the energy of change going is the issue. It's more about impinging on the change process to deflect it in a desired direction. The other thing is being quick and innovative enough to take advantage of the fluidity of the situation.

When things are going along placidly it's hard to get change started. Organizations especially just want to maintain the status quo. But when there is serious instability around people tend to open up to -- or grasp for -- new ideas. That's the opportunity, and we are in such a time.

[Britt Bravo]

Good point, David. Everything is "changing" right now. We have to decide how we want it to change.