Movement Building in a Connected Age – Joe Solomon @engagejoe at the Social Media Club Victoria BC
The guest presenter at Victoria’s Social Media Club meeting on September 22nd was Joe Solomon – @engagejoe . Through his involvement in groups: ‘Social Action’ Change the Web Challenge, the online social media team at 350.org, a consultant for Knowmore.org, MakeGood.com and founder of  Vancouver BC Net Tuesday, his presentation to an audience of over 50 opened minds and created a lively thread of possibilities for local online community engagement.
Joe Solomon @engagejoe
The evening was organized around Joe Solomon’s presentation on social media applications providing online tools for organization and empowerment, with a followup panel providing local examples, and taking questions from the audience.
Panelists:
- Lori Elder – Volunteer Victoria
- Janis La Couvee – Twestival Victoria
- Deb Morse – Organic Islands Festival
- Mat Wright – the author of this post
- Chris Burdge – bwest Interactive – who graciously moderated the panel and QA
The panelists met before the presentation at the Oswego Hotel for a pre-meeting discussion, and interviews with CHEK TV (that will be interesting to see!). Everyone then moved to the Ambrosia Centre where an audience of  IT, marketing, government, non-profit and business professionals – along with people simply there out of interest, awaited.
Joe Solomon’s presentation concentrated on major themes:
Movement – the idea that one tweet can move an idea into reality.
Empowerment – providing the tools, and process, for others to take it further.
Conversation – social media is not a one way directive, it is about initiating and allowing the conversation.
Online movements need to be Offline – effective change only happens when the virtual connects face to face.
A theme from the panelists and audience was the interaction between online movements and governance. There was wide appreciation to Joe’s examples of Change Camps – previously held in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver – which brought together community groups, activists, organizations, business, individuals and various levels of government in a non-confrontational format to initiate communication platforms that all could engage through. Conversation is Key
Thanks go to many for this event – Paul Holmes and Catherine Novak for organizing the Social Media Club. Janis LaCouvee for getting this meeting together – and empowering others. The Ambrosia Centre for hosting the event – and ultimately, Joe Solomon.
Realization – Change Camp Victoria? Let’s Make it Happen!
[...] titled his presentation, Movement Building in a Connected Age. You can view a clip of it here, courtesy of fellow Victoria blogger, Mat [...]
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by meetupvictoria, Mat Wright and SMC Victoria. SMC Victoria said: RT @matvic: @engagejoe – Video of presentation #smcvictoria Well done and thanks to everyone. #yyj #victoriabc http://bit.ly/TqElR [...]