From US Social Forum Wiki
About
The Communications and technology working group supports and advances the internal and external communication of the USSF and develops and manages technology for advancing USSF work. Contacts: Jamie McClelland (jamie AT mayfirst.org) [Alfredo Lopez(alfredo AT mayfirst.org)] and Jackie Smith (jackie at mayfirst.org)
- Comms-tech email: comms-tech@ussocialforum.net
- Newsletter: newsletter@ussocialforum.net
- We need volunteers to help build our movements and tell the stories of the US and World Social Forum process. Please join us to meet cool people, share and maybe learn new skills, and make another world possible! Contacts: Website Joseph at Mayfirst.org; Newsletter/Editorial Collective jackie at mayfirst.org, Language Justice roberto at ussocialforum.net.
Trainings
- Title: USSFwiki.org training hosted by TBA
- DATE TIME TBA
- Format is 30 min. webinar / screen share, then Q&A. Please have access to a computer so you can fully participate.
- Description: A basic training of how to use the wiki, basic wiki concepts and where to ask for help.
Task Forces
The communications team works as task forces, so contact one of the co-chairs to find out how best to put your skills to work!
- Website Design US Social Forum Website (ussocialforum.net) This task force builds and maintains the website for the social forum, including support for the polycenters. It also helps build our registration system and databases, all using free and open source software that helps build our communications autonomy.
- Editorial Collective -Our regular e-newsletter reports on the US and World Social Forum process & helps build our movement by telling our own history, offering analysis, and encouraging creative discussion about social change work in this political moment. This tool is really important for connecting our work across our polycentric forum. The editorial collective also works on the social media, press releases, and other communications for the social forum and helps support the polycenters and PMAs.
- Language Justice This task force helps ensure that we are doing all we can to enable people with diverse language needs to be part of the social forums. Translation and interpretation in languages depends upon committed volunteers, who also help educate our movements about the practical steps that language justice requires.
- Skills-Share- This task force helps network people with skills with organizing sites where people have needs for technology access. In addition to facilitating inter-personal/group connections, the task force organizes trainings and helps train local organizers to 'plug into' USSF webstreams, etc.
Meetings & Notes
- Next Meeting:
- Editorial Task Force: Thurs. August 28 4:00-5:30 PM Eastern time
- Call-in number: Call-in # 641-715-3200 (Access #401123)
- Editorial Task Force: Thurs. August 28 4:00-5:30 PM Eastern time
- Web-Tech Task Force:thursday, July 17 from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm New York time
- Conference Call-in number: 718-303-3204 (press 6 after connecting, then 1000#)
- Or you can join via the web: https://live.mayfirst.org/mexcla/en/1000
- Web-Tech Task Force:thursday, July 17 from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm New York time
- To sign up for task force in particular area -- Tech/Website; Communications-Media; Language Justice; Skills-Sharing please email Jackie jackie@mayfirst.org
Background Resources & Links
Communications resources
- Strategies for framing effective messages
- Battle of the Story Worksheet/ Center for Story Based Strategy
- Comms-Tech proposal for US Social Forum 3
- The Organic Internet Organizing History's Largest Social Movement
- This is a must-read for activists working to develop movements' communications capacity. Based on many years of experience of May First/People Link organizers.
Solidarity Requires Dialogue
Around the world, people have been identifying the need to expand our use of technology to enhance participation and dialogue in the US and World Social Forum.
- Debates on how to Expand Participation in the World Social Forum 2013
- Discussion Document on New Movement Technologies, by Canada-Quebec Indigenous People's Forum
- Return to the March 2013 Convergence Committee Page
Archive: Communications Team for Detroit USSF Communications-Media Working Group
- MARCH 8-10 USSF Expanded in Philadelphia, PA