February 6, 2010
#freevenezuela
For those unfamiliar with Twitter, the title above has been treated with something called a 'hashtag'. Hashtags are used to help those in the Twitter community tag tweets – 140 character messages. It also helps applications track conversations in the Twittersphere. That said, the social media site Mashable reports that #freevenezuela was one of the largest trending topics on Twitter this week. Apparently, all of this twittering is in reaction to reports that Venezuelan President, Hugo Chávez, is cracking down on freedom of speech and threatening journalists.
I admit, I haven't fully looked into these claims, but one thing is clear – Twitter is slowly becoming a tool for activism globally.
You can read the article here.
Update: Apparently, Boing Boing dropped the story first. Read it here.
Posted by Jason at 10:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
February 3, 2010
Idealist.org needs your help!
Although I never used their service, I was nonetheless inspired by their work. Unfortunately, the financial crisis is about to claim another victim if we don't help out.
If you've never heard of Idealist.org, here's a quote from their site:
Idealist is a project of Action Without Borders, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 with offices in the United States and Argentina. Idealist is an interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives.
Regarding their financial situation:
You know how sometimes in life you go through a bad moment, and when your friends hear about it later, they say, "Why didn't you say something? Why didn't you ask?"That's where Idealist is now, and that's why we are asking for your help.
Very briefly, here's what happened. Over the past ten years, most of our funding has come from the small fees we charge organizations for posting their jobs on Idealist. By September 2008, after years of steady growth, these little drops were covering 70% of our budget.
Then, in October of that year, the financial crisis exploded, many organizations understandably froze their hiring, and from one week to the next our earned income was cut almost in half, leaving us with a hole of more than $100,000 each month.
That was 16 months ago, and since then we've survived on faith and fumes, by cutting expenses, and by getting a few large gifts from new and old friends. But now we are about to hit a wall, and that's why we decided to ask.
If over the past 15 years Idealist has helped you or a friend find a job, an internship or a volunteer opportunity; connect with a person, an idea or a resource; or just feel inspired for a moment, now we need your help. Thank you!
Please visit idealist.org for more details.
Posted by Jason at 3:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
February 1, 2010
Heads Up: Pepsi Funding Socially Positive Ideas
Have an idea you think will make positive social change? Need some start-up capital to get it going? Check out the Pepsi Refresh Project. Unfortunately, these grants are only open to US citizens. :(
Posted by Jason at 12:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Consumer activism: iwantflash.com
The beginnings of a consumer activist movement? Or maybe this is a developer activist movement? Either way, I'm amazed at how quickly this site and petition launched. Only 444 signatures so far but it will be interesting to follow this story as the launch of the iPad approaches.
Visit iWantFlash.com for more details.
Posted by Jason at 12:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
January 29, 2010
Heads Up: Marketplace – Road to Rich Dad
My first post of the new year.
I just listened to an interesting piece on CBC's The Current about the apparent sham that is Robert Kiyosaki's real estate seminar. Apparently, unsuspecting attendees are pressured and bullied into buying more expensive courses in excess of $45K!
Make sure to check out the full report tonight on CBC's Marketplace. Here's a link to the teaser video.
Posted by Jason at 10:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
November 10, 2009
Technology and Charities
Here's a nice article on the impact web technologies are having on small non-profits. Of particular interest is the How To Raise Money On The Web list toward the bottom.
Note: Guluwalk sounds fascinating. I'll try and write something about this small non-profit in a future post.
Posted by Jason at 10:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
October 27, 2009
Now What?
According to 350.org, the International Day of Climate Action saw 181 countries engage in 5200 events captured in 19,000 photos. Pretty impressive.
The obvious next question is, "Now what?"
Or maybe more specifically, "How do we move from "awareness" to "action" to "effective action"?"
Maybe you have an answer. If so, please do share it.
Posted by Jason at 10:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
October 26, 2009
Heads Up: Aviva Community Fund
I can't believe I didn't know about this earlier! The Aviva Community Fund will be providing $500,000 to ideas that "create a lasting change in your communtiy". Unfortunately, there are only 6 days left to get your idea in. Visit http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ for more details. Good luck!
Posted by Jason at 10:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
October 24, 2009
International Day of Climate Action Is Today!
Find an event in you neighbourhood. Visit 350.org
Posted by Jason at 10:41 AM
October 21, 2009
Heads Up: Oct 24th – International Day of Climate Action
You wouldn't think a guy who runs a blog called AKA Activist would be pessimistic about an environmental event. I suppose I'm not pessimistic about the event per se, rather the response to the event by the "powers that be". The epic failure of Kyoto is a constant reminder of our governments' best intentions left unrealized.
That said, this October 24th is the International Day of Climate Action. Thousands of events will be hosted throughout the world with the purpose of acting in solidarity to reduce carbon emissions to a sustainable level. To learn more or to find an event near you, please visit 350.org for more details.
Posted by Jason at 11:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
