Tag: Social change | Danny Brown

Earlier this year, Geoff Livingston and myself shared a post on the state of women in the tech industry, and why/how the situation could improve.

The posts sparked quite the discussion across the web, with great points being made from both sides of the coin, and the likes of Robert Scoble becoming involved.

Since then, we’ve been working on an idea behind-the-scenes to support the initiative even more. And on May 5, the Thursday before Mother’s Day, we’re going to do just that. So, a little bit of background.

Supporting NextGen Tech Women

On Thursday, May 5 ? the Thursday prior to Mother?s Day — people across the social web will tweet to support the next generation of women technologists. You can also join us on Facebook and Twitter.

Organized by interactive firms Bonsai Interactive Marketing, RAD Campaign and Zoetica, our tweets for Nextgen Tech Women will seek to raise $25,000 from the online social media and technology communities, and an additional $25,000 in matching donations from leading technology companies. The organizing committee is comprised of Allyson Kapin, Danny Brown (me), Geoff Livingston and Julie Pippert.

Proceeds will fund the National Center for Women In Technology ?s 2011 and their Award for Aspirations in Computing, which recognizes young women in high-school for their computing- related achievements and interests. By generating visibility for these young women in their local communities, the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing encourages their continued interest in computing, attracts the attention and support of educational and corporate institutions, and emphasizes at a personal level the importance of women?s participation in computing and IT.

Since 2007 the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing has publicly recognized over 850 young women aspiring in computing. The award has drawn interest from nearly 6,000 young women that self-identify as interested in careers in computing.

So How Can You Help?

Obviously one of the ways to help is via donations, to help us reach our $25,000 goal. We’ve been speaking with corporate sponsors and partners, and it looks like we may have a matching donor, so the amount raised could be as much as $50,000. Obviously, if we can raise more, all the better!

You can also share this post and what we’re trying to do with your friends, families, colleagues and more. If you’re sharing on Twitter, we’re using the hashtag #ngtechwomen.

On the day itself – just one week from today – we’re going to be rallying on Twitter primarily, but also elsewhere, and sharing stories and examples of who the program has benefited so far.

We’d also love to hear of examples of who you feel are great women in tech. It could be your; your mother or daughter or sister; a friend; or a stranger you admire.

There are some great women in tech right now, but so often new entrants are put off by peer pressure; views that it’s a guy thing; and more. Were hoping to encourage girls to follow the career path they really want in tech.

Ready to help too?

PS – As a special fun “competition”, if you like, everyone that donates $50 or more will go into a draw and someone will get a very cool package – worth at the very least $200 – from me as a thank you for your support.

: Image by danish. via Flickr

Talk about social media and many people automatically think of its business uses. While it’s as good a tool for individuals as it is for business, most social media talk at the moment is how it can benefit businesses. I’m as guilty as the next person for this, as it’s an area I always recommend clients both new and existing take a serious look at.

Yet there’s another area of social media that’s often overlooked, even though it’s quite possibly the most important use of all – using social media for social change.

There’s no end of advice around the web on how to use social media for business change, yet try and find information on how it’s being used for society and the results are less impressive.

Thankfully, there are some great organizations and influential blogs that are using social media to encourage change worldwide.

Social Media for Social Change, for example, is the brainchild of Michelle Riggen-Ransom, co-founder and Communications Director of BatchBlue Software. Michelle and guest writer T.J. Sondermann use the blog to show how technology can change the world for the better. Topics include Education, Non-Profit and Family Action Plans. There’s some great information on there and is well worth your time.

Change.org is also making headway since its inception in 2005. Its core message is about effecting change both social and environmental. Excellent use of their blog and interaction with their readers and visitors, as well as various projects using social media outlets, has seen Change.org become a leading light in social change.

One company that I have a lot of time for is Kiva, whose aim is to eradicate poverty through micro-lending. Individuals or groups can offer micro-loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries, offering a more viable way to escape poverty than charity handouts that may never get past the ruling Government. Kiva uses the Internet and social networking to great effect and is making a difference to those that really need it.

With these companies and the likes of Max Gladwell, Pop! Tech and more, social media is maturing into a medium that is much more than a business marketing tool. If we really want to encourage the “social” part of social media, then these sites and others like them are leading the way.

How will you make change?