People care,we know that. But how we engage and enable supporters to take action to address an unacceptable situation or resolve any of society’s big challenges? And how can we build the necessary awareness, raise funds in a tough economic climate, and influence decision makers. Better still, how can we build pathways that enable collaborative communities and foster the development of an active civil society that comes together to cocreate innovative solutions to our most pressing social and environmental issues?
These are the kinds of questions we hope to answer at Collaboratory Melbourne Meetups over the coming months – starting with our next Meetup, Tuesday 27 March – The Future of Changemaking & Engagement Online: From GetUp to Kony 2012
This month we will explore:
- how organisations are using the art of storytelling and cutting through the noise online to capture people’s attention and imagination
- how strategic use of social media is enabling campaigns to go viral, reaching millions of supporters worldwide and gaining exposure in previously inaccessible traditional media
- why online video is proving to be the preferred medium for younger people to find out what’s happening in their world and informing where they spend their time and money
- why online activism isn’t just about clicks, and how it translates into grassroots community action and building better futures
- what you can take from this and implement in the work you are doing to build better futures
Hosted by David Hood, former Project Leader (Australia) on the landmark Greenpeace campaign against Nestlé for deforestation, join us at the next Collaboratory Meetup with three special guest panelists:
> Stephen Johnson: Stephen is the Founder of social enterprise catalyst Altitud3 and former Director of Social with Community Engine. His knowledge of social capital and command over the way influence spreads in the digital world is industry leading, as are his strategies for fostering ambassadorship and advocacy. He is passionate about mobilising communities to action in support of social and environmental change, and has worked on multiple international projects and campaigns including collaborations with One Girl, Thank You Water and the United Nations – advising on the use of social media and technologies to support health and water projects in developing nations. Stephen’s contribution to industry is critically acclaimed with accolades including Cannes Cyber Lion, AIMIA & Webby awards.
> Gabrielle Dolan: Gabrielle is co-founder and Director of One Thousand & One, where she and business partner Yamini Naidu teach leaders how to better communicate and influence through storytelling. In addition to working with state and federal Government and some of Australia’s leading corporates, Gabrielle has worked with nonprofit organisations including Oaktree Foundation, StreetSmart Australia and Villa Maria. The name One Thousand & One is inspired by classic story of 1001 Arabian Nights, which illustrates perfectly that storytelling, done right, can well and truly save your life.
> Scott Drummond: Scott is the quintessential community manager and communications strategist. As Social Media Director at award winning agency Host, Scott leads a small team that help design social platforms, programs and experiences to bring people together. In his spare time, Scott helps to seek out and fund great entrepreneurial projects as part of the Sydney chapter ofThe Awesome Foundation and curates the monthly fastBREAK series of talks for youth nonprofit organisation Vibewire. More recently, he has been volunteering with the Sydney Story Factory where he is currently exploring service design approaches to youth homelessness.
Doors will be open from 6pm with panel discussion starting at 6:30pm sharp. As usual, official proceedings will finish at about 8pm, followed by drinks, pizza and inspired conversation with other Melburnians building better futures for all, together.