Posted by: Julie Germany in Untagged on
Aug 27, 2009
The GSPM is launching many incredible classes this autumn. I'm particularly thrilled about one of them, Media, Government, and Social Change, because I helped recruit its professor, Brian Reich.
Brian's blog, Thinking about Media, and book, Media Rules, lay out some of his thinking about how organizational development, technology, and people. His course, Media, Government, and Social Change, applies those principles to the politics and government space.
Brian recently discussed his philosophy as an instructor for Media, Government and Change:
I designed this class to look at three big issues/questions:
1) Technology and the internet have dramatically changed the way people get and share information. Those changes impact everything - what we buy, how we spend our time, what (and how) we read, watch television, listen to the radio, talk to eachother, and certainly our expectations of the organizations that we support and engage. That has huge implications for our government, and the various organizations that contribute to the functioning of our society. What must we understand and what must we change for government to serve its constituents better, for issues to be addressed more effectively, and for people to be more fully engaged in our democracy?
2) When it comes to organizations - and how they manage their communications, education, advocacy, and more - real success is hard to find. The groups we hold up as models, because of their size or the level of awareness of their cause, aren’t breaking much new ground. The legislation that is created, doesn't do enough to address the core issues that challenge our society. Even those who have successfully establish their brand or built an audience aren’t necessarily able to change minds, change behavior, or tackle serious issues. What does a successful organization look like today and how does its role change if the goal is to achieve meaningful, measurable change?
3) There continues to be far too much focus on activity (how big your email list is, how many people signed your online petition) and not enough on impact (whether you are really serving a need, or changing things for the better). There is too much emphasis placed on brand (i.e. what groups call themselves, or say they are doing) and not enough on experience (what is really happening, are the needs of our society actually being met). There is too much energy put into growth (how big can we be, how many people can we reach) and not enough commitment to sustainability (can we maintain the quality of what we do no matter how many things are choose to do) or impact (are we achieving our goals). Where should our focus be if we want to improve how we govern, how our society functions - and what role do citizens, media, and others play in those efforts?
I have spent my life working in and around politics, helping to direct dozens of campaigns across the country. I spent two years as Vice President Gore's Briefing Director in the White House, handling both official activities and activities during his 2000 presidential campaign. Over the past eight years, I have helped hundreds of organizations to understand how technology is changing society and what that does to impact how we communicate, educate, and engage. I wrote a book, Media Rules!. I blog, and speak, and write about these issues every day. But society is changing so quickly, and new opportunities to use technology and the internet to change our society emerge every day. I designed this class to explore these issues in depth and to begin to apply those lessons to meet some of the real, immediate challenges that we are facing today.
I hope you will join me.
You can watch Brian talk more about the class on YouTube.
With the Fall Semester just around the bend, students have the chance to make a few last minute updates to the upcoming semester's schedule. There are a few new classes added to the ranks for GSPMers to choose from. Classes start August 31st, so register ASAP!
Here are the new classes to check out:
In my humble opinion, the bars here in Washington, D.C. are unlike any other bars in the country. Where else can you consistently find CNN always on, the conversation unusually wonkish, and the majority of clientele in suits? It is a different world to be sure.
In these uncommon environments, there hasn't been a single time that I have met someone without the subject of social action and activism coming up. DC residents are passionate. Whether it is the environment, the economy, the deficit, abortion, marriage, or any number of issues, the common thread of spirits in DC is a passion for doing.
Posted by: Lynn Stinson in Untagged on
Aug 19, 2009
As the governor's race in Virginia shifts into the final few months, victory is still up for grabs. While some polls in the past month have shown Bob McDonnell, the Republican candidate, as the leader over Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds, the race will remain close as many voters have yet to enter the political arena of this contest.
Mo Elleithee, senior advisor to Deeds and GSPM alum, explains:
Posted by: Bryce Cullinane in Untagged on
Aug 14, 2009
We are putting together a comprehensive resource for young people wanting to gain in-depth information about careers in politics.
To help us create this resource, take one minute to answer these four quick questions.
Recently, Colin Delany, founder and chief editor of Epolitics.com, released an e-book "Learning from Obama: Lessons for Online Communicators in 2009 and Beyond."
Delany discusses how integral the use of the internet is to communicate and ultimately capture victory in a campaign. With the ability to carefully target voters and volunteers, the Obama campaign was able to propel forward by using the internet. It aided in facilitating conversations with American voters and providing them with access previously reserved for campaign staffers. The importance of internet and technology is discussed throughout the ebook and it can be found at the following link:
2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients
Overview of the Presidential Medal of Freedom:
Organizing for America, (a continuation of the grassroots efforts of those who volunteered for the Obama campaign, and now help push President Obama's agenda) have set forth in local communities around the country on a "Listening Tour." The idea behind this tour is to get into communities and find out what the best ways are to organize, and ultimately push the President's agenda.
Yesterday (Aug. 11, 2009) I had the pleasure of attending one of these meetings in Richmond, VA. I wanted to see what it was all about, and how the communities are engaging OFA. What I found was a gathering of a large, diverse, and motivated group ready to take action. The overall theme of the evening was how to help push through health care reform, more specifically, the need for a public option. Thorough the meeting, people discussed what has worked, what hasn't, and what the next steps will be.
First, let me introduce myself. I'm Terry Burns a GSPM online student from Indianapolis, IN. I've been part of the online program for a year now and finally can see a small light at the end of the tunnel. I have a background in Democratic party politics having served as communication director for the Indiana Democratic Party and executive director of the Marion County Democratic Party. I'm currently the Democratic member of the Marion County Board of Voters Registration.
So how did this blogging thing get started? About a month or so ago, I met up with some folks from the GSPM here in Indianapolis and the idea was hatched for create a blog looking at issues from the prespective of the program's online students. I figured, "What the heck," so let's give it a try. I'm hoping this blog will provide a voice to online students and provide others in the GSPM community with some insights into the challenges and rewards of being an online GSPM student. If you don't know it already, the online program includes students from across the country and around the world, which includes students serving in the U.S. military.
History Has Been Made: Sonia Sotomayor Confirmed as the First Hispanic Justice to Serve on the U.S. Supreme Court
Sotomayor's Family Life and Educational Background:
