Social Ch@nge

I was going to write about all the excellent non-profit blogs out there that there are to be read, but Beth’s Blog already made a fantastic entry to get you started on this (granted it focuses exclusively on Gen X/Y/Millennial blogs - but we’re Gen X/Y and it’s just to get you started).

A confession is that I don’t actually read a whole lot of non-profit oriented blogs and sites, mostly because it’s hard to find ones that don’t oversimplify their advice to the point of it being useless. Consider a recent example I came across on the subject of online fundraising:

You don’t need a flashy website, but you do need an attractive one that is easy-to-understand and navigate. Consider too the various generations that will be using your site. Design it in a way that will please all ages.

Yes, do that. While I don’t want to shame it by naming it (this site is great for learning about other stuff - top-notch German lessons, for example) this advice comes from one of the first websites that will come up on a panicky first-time fundraiser’s google search - so that’s a lot of hits you and I could direct elsewhere.

Actually, I like to read blogs and sites that have another angle on technology, society and social change - I always find something interesting and inspiring on these sites to help me problem-solve. Of course, I’m inviting everyone to add to this list: the stipulation is any sites you add can’t actually be about non profits (instead, you can email your non-profit sites to editor@netfornonprofits.org - we’re doing a future post about Changebloggers sites in particular!). Here are my absolute favorites. What sites inspire you?

Spark
Spark is a radio show available in podcast off of CBC that looks at technology and society. They are accessible, interesting and wide ranging - because the show is actually based on input from their blog and from viewers, they make great connections between stories that I find helps loosen up my thinking. At one point, they actually produced their show off of a Wiki - how many organizations involve their clients that thoroughly in their production? And what would happen if they did?

43folders
I happen to really enjoy thinking about infrastructure, and Merlin Mann’s site is a great place to start with that. This site is an executive director or admin person’s must-read. I am still using his tips for killing my to-do list and it works like a charm. I also happen to think his rant on multitasking is really funny and a bit of a wake-up call to people like me.

YouTube
Yes, YouTube. But hear me out - if you are looking for inspiration on how to help give your community a voice, you need to get on YouTube and watch how other communities are doing it. For example, the Deaf community has carved out a solid niche on YouTube for Deaf entertainment - there’s story telling (Deaf Ninja, anyone?) and vlogging that is unique, personal and caters exactly to its chosen community. The Autism Rights movement has also made a solid base for itself on Youtube - start with ‘In My Language‘ and go from there for a taste of what’s there. And obviously, there are some fantastic public service messages out there that prove you can make any cause interesting provided you think about how to hook people in - like this one about honeybee colony collapse disorder (no really, watch it), or this one for cycling safety.

AvantGame
Sean can’t let a post go by without mentioning Clay Shirky - I can’t let one go by without mentioning game designer/theorist/renaissance woman Jane McGonigal. We’ve previously talked about her thesis work on group problem solving and The Beast and I still find it fascinating. She took what could have been a pretty dark piece of research and instead has used these conclusions to innovate and promote play and connectivity as a way to creatively approach social change. She’s the author of World Without Oil and the Lost Ring (what, you didn’t see them at the Olympics?) and her research keeps inspiring me to find new angles on approaching social change.

TED
Mini-lectures from great minds can take you surprising places. TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) may charge too much for its live conferences, but its video lectures are all available under a Creative Commons license - here’s some of the themes they’re following for your inspiration. My favorites are Kevin Kelly (founder of Wired) talking about the next 5000 days of the internet, and Robert Wright talking about how cooperation (eventually) trumps conflict.

I also read a lot of Wired, but that’s probably something you’d figured out already. Wired’s website and network of blogs preserves the tone of the magazine, but it’s bigger, weirder and much more lateral - perfect for making all sorts of new connections.

What are you reading?