Alex Steed is a self-described millennial activist and he has just announced his Millennials Changing America: The Next Generation of Organizing where he will visit over 30 cities across the United States to meet, interview and report how young people are using the Internet to leverage their social and political power. He describes what hopes to do:
I intend to examine the methodology of various politically and socially energized young people, contacted through various activist networks, and to listen to, record, and share their stories with present and future doers. I will use a blog rich in video and audio to share my discoveries and analysis. Working with cutting-edge websites like epolitics, Future Majority, Change.org, and many others, I plan to share this content with and contribute to as many relevant outlets and individuals as possible.
I just donated a small amount to his effort!
Alex is a great example of a change blogger. What's that? Britt Bravo wrote a post several months back defining the term: people who are using their blog, podcast or vlog to raise awareness, build community, and/or facilitate readers/listeners/viewers' taking action to make the world a better place. I guess I'm a change blogger too. So is Dr. Mani who will be using social media to raise money for heart surgeries for poor children in India. The meme isn't necessarily limited to individuals as David Neff at Fispace mentions - corporate bloggers like Tyson Foods will donate 100 pounds of food for every comment made here.
Britt included links to change bloggers and started a Changeblogger Facebook. Another change blogger, SocialButterfly has created a Changeblogger wiki where other change bloggers can add their information.
Change bloggers have some excellent tools at their disposal, like Social Actions widget which makes it possible for any wired passionate soul to highlight causes on the social web. Take for example the breast cancer version I created last week when I wrote about Leah Jones and Her Walk for Breast Cancer.
Qui Diaz at LivingstonBuzz has kicked off a Change Blogging Meme which includes an offline/online integrated event to support Alex Steed as well as a blogging meme.
This fall, DC will be one of 35 cities visited by NetSquared’s Alex Steed. He’s touring the U.S., meeting with millennial activists about “the future of organizing.” We won’t be letting him out of here that easily, however. Alexandra Rampy (a.k.a. SocialButterfly) is rallying local changebloggers to meet with Steed. Our goal is to unite interested parties around something good (TBD). From there, we can do just about anything.
That’s setting the bar pretty high for Valley and NY folk.
She ends her post with change blogging meme -- asking and answering three questions and tagging other bloggers.
Thanks for the article Beth! The moment I heard about Alex's mission, I was estatic. I've added a link to this article on the Changeblogger event page under media coverage. =)
Posted by: Alex, aka SocialButterfly | August 26, 2008 at 09:54 AM
The Oct. 15th event is still developing as we hope to make a big night for Alex, changebloggers and DC, esp. since DC is the capital for change!
Posted by: Alex, aka SocialButterfly | August 26, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Beth -
I can't thank you enough for the mention and for the donation.
Also - hopefully folks will take a look at the dates on the tour website and consider sharing with me who I should visit in each of the locations. In many of the places, I've nailed down interview subjects, but I am always willing to meet more.
And to keep costs low, I'll be couchsurfing (figuratively, via the site, and quite literally, via couches) my way across the US. If you have a place I can crash at, please bring it on.
.a.
Posted by: Alex Steed | August 26, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Alex: Set up a wiki for that
Posted by: Beth Kanter | August 26, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Hey Beth,
I just set up a Changeblogger Nework on Ning so it's easier for folks to connect. Facebook is fun, but can be limited in that respect:
Posted by: Britt Bravo | August 26, 2008 at 10:09 AM
PBWiki donated a wiki to the project -
I certainly will do so.
Posted by: Alex Steed | August 26, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Alex - I have couches and know people who have couches. Excited to be part of your DC welcoming committee!
Posted by: Qui Diaz | August 26, 2008 at 05:36 PM
So cool to see you mention Alex. I worked with him at a student leadership seminar in May...he is an amazing man and I'm thrilled to see people connecting with him and his passion. Hope to see you in Maine soon, Alex!
Posted by: Shireen | August 27, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Beth, as always, you lead the way. Just signed up for Britt's Change Blogger group on ning too...and posted Youth Innovator Awards as an 'event' (will blog it on Shaping Youth soon along with this meme!)
So if you know any 18-25 innovators needing $5000-30,000 in $$$$, send those changemakers to the HASTAC/DML competition! (educators are encouraged to mentor and nudge bright ideas) More here: http://www.dmlcompetition.net/young.php
I'm goin' for the 'participatory learning' one re: some virtual world informal knowledge, so wish me luck, and spread the word and give a boost to those youthful agents of change out there...they've gone international this round at MacArthur Foundation, so maybe some of your Cambodia connex? Best, Amy
Posted by: Amy Jussel | August 27, 2008 at 09:23 AM
I am a change blogger too .
Please feel free to check out my project
Project Love is a multi-faceted project that includes Art clubs, Zine Workshops, free space for self expression , affinity groups, etc.
I myself, am a musical artist that enjoys to help others be able to express them selves constructively .
Posted by: Jonathan | August 27, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Jonathan -
Love zines, man. That's how I started all of this. Zines are my Alpha and Omega.
Where are you located?
.a.
Posted by: Alex Steed | August 28, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Oh! Jonathan! You reached out to me via Couchsurfing yesterday.
Posted by: Alex Steed | August 28, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Couchsurfing? Love it. I should do a feature on how you two connect on Shaping Youth, re: 'virtual handshakes' and intimacy from afar...like-minded souls, etc.--Very cool. A.
Posted by: Amy Jussel | September 01, 2008 at 01:12 AM
This is a fantastic community of participatory learners and social networkers. We think you will want to know about the new $2 Million Digital Media and Learning Competition. www.dmlcompetition.net. Focus: Participatory Learning
Deadline: October 15, 2008. Two categories: Innovation in Participatory Learning Awards ($30,000-$250,000) and Young Innovator Awards, 18-25 year olds ( $5,000-$30,000). Full information at: www.dmlcompetition.net Help spread the word!
Posted by: Cathy Davidson | September 03, 2008 at 05:11 AM