Online Tools and Online Organizing for Real-World Action
Online tools make it easier to spread the word and recruit people to a cause. But having 400 Facebook friends in a group does not mean that you have 400 volunteers at an event or 400 activists calling their members of Congress. In this workshop, we'll discuss how to use online organizing strategies and tools to increase our real-world efficacy. And we'll look at case studies and lessons from presidential campaigns, from Dean 2004 to Obama 2008, and successful nonprofit advocacy efforts including MoveOn and 1Sky.
Michael Silberman is a Partner at EchoDitto, a leading online strategy and technology team that leverages new media and participatory technologies to affect positive social change. He served as the 1Sky climate campaign's Internet Director during its first year, where he implemented a successful nationwide internet organizing, communications, and fundraising strategy. Prior to EchoDitto, Silberman was the National Meetup Director for Howard Dean’s presidential run in 2004, where he lead an online organizing team that mobilized more than 189,000 local volunteers via the internet. Silberman is a frequent writer and speaker on the effective use of technology for converting online activity into real-world action.
Natalie Foster is the New Media Director for the Democratic National Committee – which now includes Organizing for America, the grassroots organization answering the president’s call for change. Prior to the DNC, Natalie directed the Sierra Club’s Online Organizing department, which she built to bridge the online, communications, and field organizing at the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental group. Previously, Natalie was Deputy Organizing Director for MoveOn.org, where she developed and ran online to offline actions and helped build a volunteer-led action network around the country. Natalie’s organized on progressive issues for nine years.
Matt Ewing co-directs MoveOn's national field network. In addition to developing the offline advocacy field program, Matt helped to design and direct MoveOn's 2006 and 2008 GOTV campaigns. He is a graduate of Green Corps, the field school for environmental organizing, and remains on the organization's Board of Directors.
