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Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Sorry for the totally unrelated topic. This is an appeal to the community.
I run a small non-profit community organizing group that we started after the Presidential election. The project was inspired by our grassroots participation in electing President Obama. Now, we've decided to have our own website that would help us connect more effectively and I specifically desire the social networking features on MyBO (Groups, Friends, Messages, Blog, Events, Fundraising).
There are a number of public social networking websites out there, but I'm not interested in relying entirely on them. This is quite ambitious, considering we're a small group with a small budget. But I've seen enough "impossible" things become possible.
If there are any programmers in the community or if anyone knows any programmers out there that can do a website with the above features and user-friendliness, pease leave a comment on my blog.
Thanks for your help.
We are a small global family that comes from Africa, Asia, and Europe. We believe that an American president has an important impact on the whole world and not only the US. We are global citizens who are being affected by the global situation which the US plays an important role in it. We hope for a global change that can bring the missing peace justice and prosperity to the globe and not only to the US. We hope for a responsible and honest leadership that works for the sake of people at large and not only for the sake of corporations and politicians.
We congratulate Obama for the inauguration and wish him and his team all success for a mission that we consider to be "A New Global Hope for a Better World".
Said Samir
Editor of www.the-president.us
Why am I so interested in technology and what does that interest have to do with minorities and nonprofits? Well, let me give you a little background. I am an African-American male, born in Philadelphia some 40 years ago. I was left in the hospital by my mother and raised in a wonderful foster home. Because my connection with the Women's Christian Alliance, a nonprofit in Philadelphia I was able to live a good life, get exposure to an Upward Program hosted at the University of Pennsylvania, and finally attend college where I received a 3 year R.O.T.C. Scholarship.
Not until later after college did I become enamored with technology and how to use it to better communicate. Later I entered the ministry and received a Master's in Divinity, was ordained and served in non-traditional ministry for several years. During this time I always looked for ways to utilize various communication technologies (see this example: TheProductiveChristian.com) to make my job easier and provide my constituents with easier access to information. It has just been over the last several years that I have become proficient in utilizing online audio, video and other new technologies that we are creating now, to better communicate with others via the web. Currently I work in a nonprofit organization, and have a small technology company (visit: My-DropZone.net) that develops innovative communication tools.
My experience as a minority who has been helped by nonprofits and has worked in nonprofits has helped shape my views and passions regarding the two areas mentioned earlier. I have seen the lack of knowledge of and use of popular web based tools in these two communities as huge opportunity for growth and overal productivity. This blog is my attempt to explore how more minorities who are most often touched by the services of nonprofits and nonprofits who need to become more efficient in carrying out their missions, can become more productive through the appropriate use of technology.
(Press Release)
Dear Friends,
A new website has been created dedicated to America's President-Elect, Barack Obama, with a big difference. It follows Obama's fortunes and frailties in his election campaign through the eyes of a British writer, Elaine Sihera (Ms Cyprah), from a uniquely Black British perspective. Well known in minority communities in the UK, and the most quoted British woman on the Internet, Elaine had a personal crisis which coincided with the duration of Obama's campaign and has led to this amazing website (www.barackobama-andme.com) which carries the title: My Journey with Barack Obama.
The unique informative website begins the narrative from the time the Senator launched his campaign in Illinois, through to the primaries and his nomination and election. A pioneering achiever in her own right who shares Obama's motivational ideals, and a champion for 'ageing disgracefully', Elaine was so empowered by the campaign, she even went to the Illinois Obama HQ in Chicago during election week to help on the phones getting the vote out and was also in Grant Park as a guest on election night shouting 'Yes We Can!' with everyone else. An experience she describes as 'more than magical'.
The striking, colourful website, which is packed with eye catching photographs, inspirational quotes, presidential quotes, widgets for up-to-date news, useful links, Barack's books, fun games and the articles themselves, each one matching the progress of the campaign, opens with the following introduction:
MyBo wasn’t more than a tiny seed when I began blogging here over a year ago. I’m still reeling from the realization that we have come this far, but much remains to be done and President-elect Obama is going to need all the help he can get. So in the spirit of cooperation, here are my suggestions for what could be done with this website.
The campaign issued a statement last week saying the website will live on but I feel they may have underestimated its power and potential. It seems they are focusing entirely on this website as a tool to make “real-world connections”. There can be no doubt that these tools and the “on the ground” campaigning effort that were possible through the organization of this website, is the main reason why Obama will soon swear the oath of office. But I believe there’s potential for more than just community organizing in this website.
There are countless sites on the Internet these days, offering blogs and other type of personalized pages, fueling people’s inherent need to express themselves and connect with others. This has evolved organically over the past few years and, speaking as someone with great interest in human psychology, it is a truly fascinating process. As someone commented to me recently; soon we’ll probably be assigned an e-mail address and a Facebook page at birth!
We use these tools to make ourselves a part of the ever growing community of humans, allowing strangers to access our thoughts and hopes, while at the same time keeping it all at a safe distance, keeping our physical selves so to speak, apart from each other. It gives us a chance to declare ourselves to the world, take a stand and make ourselves heard, while still limiting access to that which is most private.
I can’t even imagine where this process will end but I’m excited to be a part of it. I also think it’s an unprecedented opportunity for President-elect Obama to put his money where his mouth is (pardon the blunt expression) and make his Presidency as open and flexible as he has declared he would. For what is more open and flexible than the Internet?
Since I’m not a US citizen, the tools for the community work this site has offered, is of no interest to me, as impressive as they are. My suggestions here are entirely selfish in origin and based on the notion that the United States of America is not just another country among many, but rather holds a unique place in human evolution. The US represents the merging of ideas, hopes and dreams, not just of its own citizens, but of the world. This does not mean, as many republicans seem to think, that we all want to move there. I have no desire to become a US citizen; I’m perfectly happy where I am. But I would like to live in a world that’s safer and more prosperous and I firmly believe the United States of America is the only place where the potential seed for such a future can have a chance to grow.
Structuring a website to cater to the needs of a President facing perhaps the greatest crisis in human existence, is definitely a monumental challenge and what I offer here are only a few humble suggestions and keeping in mind I have no actual technical experience in this matter. I’m also fully aware of the initial cost of building a website like this, but I firmly believe it will pay off in the long run.
As President Elect Barack Obama has expressed in so many words, this is the beginning of a journey, not the end of one. I encourage all of you in the ether to continue blogging, raising awareness, fostering hope and creating change by giving your time and your money to good causes in our government and in the private sector of our world.
I fully expect President Obama to keep this site up and running, so that we, an army of supporters can be there to help at a moment's notice. Let us grow this army to 10's of millions of good people for change.
I see an opportunity for America and people around the world to connect with our newest President right here in this website. This website is set up beautifully. To grow and continue the site for common people to express concerns, volunteer, and unlimited other possibilities. I'm asking for you to GET ON THIS BAND WAGON and also request that this website to remain ON and also to be an active part of Obama's transition wher each one of us can make a difference for the GOOD! Thank YOU!
I've been wanting to discuss the Obama Design since day one. Many people have agreed that the design behind the Obama campaign has been stellar and reaching people unlike previous elections. What is behind this?
The Symbol
So, never before have I seen such a flawlessly run design campaign.
Politics aside, the mobilization of the logos, the diverse options, and the inspiring mottoes and - dare I say - typeface have people eager to put stickers on their bumpers.
Seriously, never before have I been thinking about putting a bumpersticker on my car. Bumpersticker activism isn't how I want to change the world.
But the simple circle with the new day dawning over the striped fields...something about that image just gets into the core of me. It doesn't just represent Obama - it represents something deeper, something organic and powerful that connects us all to the earth beneath our feet and the people on the street.
Even if Obama didn't win, I really think this logo could be something people across the country could unite under. It represents the best of us, the intrinsic American spirit that is about community and roots, as well as change and growth.
You have to admit, it's fabulous design that manages to take one symbol and tweak it to fit so many different people. It gives credence to the underlying statement: that we are all equally important and united, despite our individual differences. (For a sample of the logos as made individualized for each voting group, you can check the BarackObama website, or you can read this blog that includes a sample of each. )
Designbay did a study of winning presidents and their logos, and then compared this year's candidates. The Obama logo is designed to win.
Designers Review the Branding
K-Co, my top-notch designer friend, and I have discussed the Obama branding and what makes it so alluring. The branding has a lot of designers talking. One designer and critic, Michael Beirut, was asked to give his opinions of the Obama branding and the effort that has gone into it. His views seem somewhat amazed at the level of detail put into the branding, and his tone sounds a bit conflicted. But he says it clearly - the design and branding are impeccable.
The website is part of the branding technique, and people definitely have opinions about that. Friends I've talked to find it simultaneously helpful and beautiful, but expansive and overwhelming. Back in 2007, the Bivings Report took a look at the Obama campaign site. They gave it pretty high reviews, although some issues were noted. Additionally, Brian Yerkes provided his own review in June of '08, which goes through some detail as to why the Obama website is superior.
In January '08, the Boston Globe put together a review of fonts by The Font Bureau, Inc. focusing on which fonts in the campaigns really speak of change.
The Website and the Store
Have you been to the BarackObama store? Not just your typical cheesy election stuff. The designs are quality and make you feel inspired and happy to be a part of the experience. In addition, if you're looking for something higher end, there are the Runway to Change and Artists for Obama lines. SwissMiss featured the newest art poster in a blog post a few days ago, referring to it as a "typographic waterfall" as lovingly as any designer might.
The problem? Everything I want (or can afford) is sold out! (Perhaps I should check out the Democratic Stuff website.)
Next Post: Capitalism, Artists and DIY Speak Up For Obama
(originally posted at Exponential)
Last Thursday I was excited to join a group named Abortion Providers for Obama-Biden here on the campaign website. There were already several well written, well thought out blog posts about the current status of abortion in this country. It was a chance for a group with a unique perspective on this debate to come together and support the candidate that will hopefully reverse current trends.However I was highly disturbed to get up this morning to find out that the group has been removed. You can still go to the fundraising page: http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/maingroup/AbortionProviders .
However the group page is now "invalid":
http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/ProfessionalAbortionProvidersforObama-Bi
What does this mean? I could still find lots of other groups up and running, even an "Abortion Opponents for Barack Obama" group. Why would a supposedly pro-choice candidate not want to encourage abortion providers to have a dialogue on his website?
I have contacted the Obama campaign about the group going missing. I got a generic "thank you for your interest but we get lots of emails" back from the campaign, but I hope that someone will eventually get an official answer about why this group was removed.Does anyone know of any other groups that have been removed from the campaign website?Could anyone who feels that that it is disturbing that the Obama campaign would remove a pro-choice group while leave up the abortion opponents group please contact the campaign and let them know: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/contact2
Thank you!
Great new website to highlight the lobbyist cabal McCain created to insulate himself from the failure of strait talk.
http://mclobbyist.com/
I've created this blog so that I don't have to keep sending you endless email after email as this campaign heats up and moves into the final 50 days. Fifty days, folks. That's all the time we've got to make sure that Grampa Simpson and Maude Flanders are not the next leaders of the free world. I know we're all frustrated and scared about the gains McCain-Palin have made this week. I also know that most of you don't have the time to go door to door or to travel to a swing state this fall. Still, there is a lot you can do without moving from whatever seat you're in RIGHT NOW.
Please log in to my personal home page on BarackObama.com to see how easy it is to do phone banking. You don't need to devote more than 10 minutes at a time to phone banking--once a week, twice a week, in groups, alone, anytime, anywhere you want. It's easy, no stress. And it matters.
There are a lot of other ways to make a difference, too. Even just to talk convincingly to people that you know can put that ripple in the pond that might make the difference.
[Sorry, had to take out a section here about how to log into my account. I didn't realize these pages would be up on Google!! I thought they'd be just my friends. Silly me.]
If you want more info before you start phone banking, watch this quick video:http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/votercontactTraining
Poke around and check things out. Create your own account at BarackObama.com. Check out how many different ways there are to jump in.
Bookmark this site and visit every day, as I will be updating with links to the most promising and important discussions and stories of the day. Please stay in touch and use this space to vent about this campaign and the past 8 years.
It ain't over till the fat lady sings, y'all, and I ain't even warmed up yet.
Love, Kayte
My husband just died.... I miss him terribly. He was an amazing man, he wanted to get involved in local politics someday too....
Now I just realized that his vote won't count! Or can it?....
This historic election is only a few weeks away. Make it happen. Go to www.cwavotes.org and sign up to become an activist and make history. Yes We Can turn our country around! Health care for all; good jobs; retirement security; and the right to join a union.
