Mobile tips and tools for civic and social good

Learn about the ways nonprofits and civic organizations are using mobile tools to communicate with supporters, strengthen community engagement, and support activism on the go.

We'll cover a number of different tips and tools for mobile, including examples of specific apps, using text messaging to support your cause, connecting in-person events to social media through mobile devices, and mobile uses for nonprofit websites. We'll talk about mobile tools for all kinds of nonprofits, from civic organizations to activist groups to arts programs.

Stop by and ask questions -- or offer your own wisdom!

PRESENTATIONS:

In July 2012, 211info (http://211info.org/) -- the nonprofit that runs Oregon and Southwest Washington's free service for connecting people to social services -- launched two-way SMS/texting to accompany their phone and web services. It was among one of the first in the nation among 2-1-1 organizations (there are 2-1-1 organizations in every U.S. state, like 9-1-1). And 211info became one of the first to use two-way texting in social services in Oregon. The early results have been fascinating. Learn how and why low-income people use texting vs. the phone or web. Understand how to staff such a service. And benefit from lessons learned during this one-year program's evolution.

Cel.ly (http://cel.ly/)'s mission is to support messages that build movements, inspire learning, level playing fields and promote free speech. Celly allows you to create a mobile social network that works with any mobile phone or device. Members can join instantly with one text and exchange group messages, polls, reminders, and web alerts. Celly creates networks where existing social networks don’t work. At rallies, meetings, and events, Celly provides the quickest way to form a group that everyone can join. In schools, students and teachers can communicate freely with Celly while keeping phone numbers private. For organizations like city governments, businesses, and neighborhoods, each bureau, office, or block can communicate internally using private cells.

Ivan Boothe of Rootwork.org (http://rootwork.org) will present a few different methods for using mobile technology to support advocacy -- especially advocacy events like rallies or press conferences. He'll give specific examples of organizations using techniques like texting, live-tweeting or live-blogging, and mobile photo uploads to involve supporters who aren't physically present at an event -- and sometimes get great media coverage out of it too!

Stop by for discussion, networking with the nonprofit tech crowd, and refreshments!

PRESENTERS:

Matt Kinshella, Online Services and Communications Director at 211info (http://211info.org/). Matt is a member of 211info's executive team. Matt is the person who started the texting program at 211info and is in charge of launching many of 211info's new technology efforts.

Thomas Schreiber, Software Developer at Cel.ly (http://cel.ly/). "I'm a social justice activist interested in building tools to help people self organize. I'm currently organizing the CryptoPartes (https://www.cryptoparty.in/portlandoregon) in Oregon (Meetup group (https://www.meetup.com/CryptoParty-PDX/)). I can often be found debating philosophy at various coffee shops and bars around town, or playing tabletop games at Guardian Games."

Ivan Boothe, creative director of Rootwork.org (http://rootwork.org). Ivan is a co-organizer of PDXTech4Good, and works as a freelance online organizer with a variety of nonprofits and social change groups. He's also a front-end Drupal developer, and is active in the local Drupal community, serving as the front-end track chair for the North American Drupalcon held in Portland this past May, and the co-organizer of NTEN's Drupal Community of Practice (http://my.nten.org/Communities/ViewCommunities/GroupDetails/?CommunityKey=d4d90172-e9e0-43f1-89fd-c4c3459a121d). He has a degree in peace and conflict studies, and sits on the board of the Peace and Justice Studies Association (http://www.peacejusticestudies.org/).

Many thanks to our venue and snacks sponsor, OpenSourcery!

http://www.opensourcery.com/sites/all/themes/os_base/images/opensourcery.png

In business since 2004, OpenSourcery (http://www.opensourcery.com/) has developed and successfully deployed and managed hundreds of Drupal-based websites. We've had the pleasure of partnering with a breadth of organizations from The Oregon State Fair to Mercy Corps and Stanford University to Tektronix. We employ local, full-time experts, and we've made thousands of contributions to major Drupal modules and Drupal core. OpenSourcery: Technology for Good.

Agenda

Networking and refreshments 6pm-6:15pm

Presentation 6:15pm-7:45pm

Additional Q&A and networking 7:45pm-8pm

Accessibility

Mobility Access: This venue is wheelchair accessible.

Hearing Access: We will not use a PA system at this venue.

Sight Access: We will use a projector at this venue.

We want everyone to be able to participate in the PDXTech4Good community and events. Please don't hesitate to let us know what we can do to accommodate your needs.

Parking & Transportation

Wheelchair parking within two blocks and non-wheelchair parking at curb out front.

OpenSourcery is on the NS Streetcar line.

What you'll get out of PDXTech4Good events

Nonprofit staffers will find a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for those not experienced with technology, and many chances to ask questions of tech-experienced nonprofits and experts.

Techies will find opportunities to hear the real-world stories of nonprofit clients, and put their own expertise to social good — as well as the potential for lasting relationships (be they paid or volunteer) with leading organizations in our community.

Activists and community organizers will see and be given the chance to present on successful uses of technology for social change. We'll explore how technology can help support activism and where activism can push it forward.