I come across so many great conversations, ideas, and resources all over the web every day. Here are some of the most interesting things I’ve found recently (as of December 2nd). You can join the conversations in the comments, or click through to the original posts to find what others are saying.
To follow more of the things I find online, you can follow @amysampleward on Twitter (which is just a blog and resource feed), or find me on Delicious (for all kinds of bookmarks).
- Bernholz: Why Juno, Facebook and the rest won't change everything | Voluntary Sector Network | guardian.co.uk – "I recently asked "If this was as interesting as it gets for the web and philanthropy?" We tend to get very excited about new technologies, many of us love the latest gadgets, and we often associate the "web" with "new and different". But the reality is, as Clay Shirky has written, that these tools "don't get socially interesting until they get technologically boring". The embedding of knowledge sharing into online social networks such as on Facebook or the recently launched Jumo may be technologically 'iterative', but in terms of how we give, they may actually be a step backward."
- Engagement Ladders: Building Supporter Power – Online Fundraising, Advocacy, and Social Media – frogloop – "We, as social change organizations, exist to enable the power of our supporters. That is how change happens. Through getting thousands of people to take mass action. Through getting one person to pressure a decision maker. It is the power of our supporters, collective or individual, that we are trying to enable. That's why social change organizations exist–to leverage supporter power over time. We need to know the best way to use that power. Part of it is strategy–what kinds of actions need to happen? Marches? Politics? Direct service? And part of it is knowing what power our supporters possess so they can help us get those strategies enacted."
- The Zoetica Salon: A Peer Learning Community for Nonprofits and Social Media | Beth’s Blog – "I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be co-hosting The Zoetica Salon on my Facebook Page with my Zoetica colleagues, Geoff Livingston, Kami Huyse, and Julie Pippert (the newest Zoetican) where almost 7,000 nonprofit leaders have been engaging in informal peer learning about nonprofits and social media. Our intent is to provide a space for just-in-time answers and share best practices at no charge."
- Facebook Co-Founder Launches Social Network for Social Good, Jumo [IMAGE] – "Today, users can start connecting with all their favorite social causes in one online sphere, as Facebook Co-founder Chris Hughes has launched his much-buzzed-about social network, Jumo." Have you tried Jumo? What do you think?
- Gates funded ViewChange.org launches to showcase development success | Future:Media:Change – "The Gates Foundation is continuing their promotion of stories of global development success through the launch of ViewChange.org this week. The multimedia platform is managed by Link TV and utilizes a back catalog of development-related videos as well as new content procured for the site. The website highlights progress in reducing hunger, poverty and disease in developing nations and is part of the Gates’ broader, “ Living Proof” campaign."
- Scanning for Good – How Nonprofits Can Use QR Codes | NetWitsThinkTank.com – "I’m sure you’ve noticed QR codes by now – those funny little black and white squares that are appearing on posters, business cards, and event lanyards everywhere. These next-gen bar codes are most often used by marketers who want to link to a website or landing page from a visual appeal. If you’re looking for a fun, interactive, easy-to-implement hook for your nonprofit’s next campaign, you might want to check out QR codes."