Community Mobilization

Disaboom - Web Community for people with Disabilites

There are numerous niche communities springing up on the internet for good reason. These communities are the marketplaces for special interests. Disaboom is a web community for those with disabilities. The needs of those who grew up with physical disabilities or who have become disabled are unique and are really only felt by those who share a similar experience. Te site provides resources, a discussion space, articles, and even a career center. The space is a key demonstration of how a web space is facilitating a conversation amongst individuals.

Coupons For Hpoe

This new venture suggests taking a few long time practices and combining them together. The idea of Cause Marketing relationships have always been an attractive way to both move products as well as raise awareness. This brings in a new component - instead of attaching the relationship to the product packaging do it through the coupon for hope process. Each coupon distribution is locally organized and I believe that each charitable organization receives the funds at a local level. My hope is that the program will send funds back to local community office for mission support, especially if the charities are national in scope.

CASH Music - distributed musical production

Thanks to Boing Boing for pointing to this unique new way of managing music. CASH Music is the system helps artists to raise funds and then distribute their musical works over the internet, in most cases DRM free and with a Creative Commons License. It puts the power of creativity and distribution into the hands of the artists. It also puts the burden of advertisement, sales, and recouping costs in the hands of the artists as well. Catch is that in todays world of high computing the power of an overly expensive recording studio is condensed into a high end PC. There are no expensive reels of tape, no 'studio time' to pay for either. In an environment when all of the tools of production are almost at anyones fingertips one hopes that the best will bubble up to the surface. As music aficionados it our job as patrons to financially support and spread good music when we find it.

Virtual World Therapy

Earlier this month I wrote about Duke University using virtual worlds for therapy, and not  I see that another University, UT Dallas, is following suit. UT Dallas is using the virtual world experience to help individuals with Asperger's syndrome.

Unlike other models of intervention, virtual world experiences provide a powerful way to learn new and more appropriate ways to respond to people in scenarios similar to those faced everyday," said Dr. Sandra Chapman, director of the Center for Brain Health.

The virtual environment replicates real world social situations with greater accuracy and realism than staged encounters because in the virtual space the social interactions are real and not scripted. Moreover the virtual nature and visual interface helps individuals interact without fear or concerns of rejection.

Catastrophy and Fundraising Goals

A recent article in the Fresno Bee took a look at what happened to some social service organization's fund raising in the aftermath of the Southern California fires. The outpouring of support was directed at an isolated incident where there indeed was great need for everything from baby formula to clothing. However, the article asks the question, "What about the rest of the year?" It is a solid thought to consider.

We were all generous in a time of great need, but what about in everyday circumstances. Some agencies go days or weeks before they respond to a family burned out of a home, and they need steady income to maintain their daily operations. Do disasters actually put social service organizations in peril? If everyone gave a restricted gift, who would pay for the phone lines, or health insurance, or salary for the employees. It is a fact of life in this field of work and with new technology we can help support disaster relief from 1/2 way around the world.Critical to survival is helping the public understand that without the daily operating budget   there will be no way to administer those restricted gifts.

The Race Results are in

The results are in - 10 kilometers in 63 minutes. I am happy I did it but am upset that I was just a bit off my ideal pace. I really wanted to break one hour but there is always next year. Thanks to my new New Balance shoes for keeping my ankles safe and my favorite artists that kept me pumped up. I am posting the chart of my run and I think you can see the three bridges in there and then the big finish.

Cincinnati Thanksgiving Day Race

Since buying a home and moving to Cincinnati I have been looking forward to the Cincinnati Thanksgiving Day Race, which begins and ends at Paul Brown Stadium. The 10 Kilometer course runs up main street, over the river, through Kentucky, and back over the river to the finish. I have been training lightly over the last few weeks, but probably should have been doing more. Biggest concern - 35 degrees at the start ... brrrr! I will post times and a report after I thaw out tomorrow, and of course will use my Nike-Plus so you doubters can see that I did in fact finish.

ACS Lauches Online Music Contest

The American Cancer Society recently launched its first online music contest as part of its development of a online media sharing space called SharingHope.tv  The music contest asks that you listen to about a dozen songs and then vote for your favorite. It is fun and actually very easy. This is a great project in conjunction with the Relayforlife.org online community. I hope all of you who read this will participate.      
 

Arnold's Mensware take two

Arnold's mens ware has finally closed. It is a sad day for down town St. Pete and Arnold's extended family. His store has been an institution providing fine, and unique suits for decades. But have no fear his daughter and former business partner AL will be taking over, moving the store to a smaller location and even opening a website to provide service to the St. Pete's Postal Uniform needs. Best of luck to them all!

Herbie Hancock Remix Contest - Speaks VOLUMES!

I know it is a bad play on words but the fact that Herbie Hancock is running a contest asking for a remix of his own music speaks volumes about community engagement. Herbie is opening up his art form (ironically jazz its self is a very open art from taking cues from so many various genres) and allowing the creative community to play. As a measure of course he is encouraging a new level of interaction with his art - from listening to co-creating. If only other brand and marketers could feel comfortable with constituents, admirers co-creating the experience. I admire the fact that this is in conjunction with the launch of the Pangea Island (supported by Universal music Germany) in SL. More on that in a later post.