On Friday December 16, we at the Nonprofit Commons were happy to welcome Ms. Ruxandra Popa of TechSoup Romania, who came (as a green robot) to talk about their “Restart Romania” initiative they launched earlier this year. Ruxandra explained how her team created an online platform for citizens to submit ideas for improving their government using technology. It was a great example of how a small group of nonprofit organizers can leverage online tools to have nation-wide impact.
Read on for a slightly edited transcript of her talk. You can get a sense of the level of engagement and excitement of our audience of about 30 nonprofit professionals, and some solid brainstorming about how to integrate Second Life into future TechSoup Romania initiatives. It was a really great meeting! The complete transcript of the NPC meeting follows afterwards.
Thanks so much to Ruxandra for taking the time late in the evening her time to visit us at the Nonprofit Commons! You can join us every Friday starting at 8:30am PT for talks and conversations like this in Second Life at our virtual amphitheater. Click here for details.
Ruxandra Popa, TechSoup Romania (EDITED TRANSCRIPT)
RuxandraP: so I’m from Romania, a small remote Eastern European country but one with a TechSoup office . I would love to share some of the stuff we’ve done in our first year of existence. Hopefully I can convince some of you to get on the Restart boat.
RuxandraP: 6 months ago we got this crazy idea in our head that we could help solve some of the issues our country is facing through a TechSoup challenge. Pure online for social change stuff.
RuxandraP: It turned out that the most pressing matters are corruption and lack of efficiency in the system. which spiced things up more than enough. Despite hundreds of people telling us it will never work. We are currently looking at 9 awesome websites that fight against bribery and inefficiency. And engage citizens in fixing stuff.
RuxandraP: it was and amazing adventure and we still cannot believe we managed to pull it off.
RuxandraP: here’s an example: http://dispari.ro/ . citizen reporting of bribery incidents and getting the right info on how to fight it and avoid shady situations. this one didn’t even win the challenge. 🙂
Rik Panganiban : Wow, impressive use of tech for citizen monitoring
Angelle Marquette: Very very good idea, too, Ruxandra
RuxandraP: thank you Rik. the fun part was getting there.
RuxandraP: the sites are abut 80% done right now and we are preparing launch for all of them.
RuxandraP: So how did we get this done. we opened call for proposals of online based projecects that would produce change in the society. http://www.restartromania.ro . anyone -and i mean anyone – could come with a basic idea. and during a month and a half develop it into a project proposal with the help of the other users.
RuxandraP: we had a strong partnership with the most important online media outlet in the country. and they drove users to our platform through dedicated edittorial content.
Rik Panganiban : So they didn’t need to be tech experts to participate?
RuxandraP: the variety of people proposing projects was amazing. RuxandraP: no, even i could have done it with my awesome tech skills. 🙂
RuxandraP: we hoped for 25 proposals. we got 144.
Sarvana Haalan: wow
RuxandraP: it wasn’t easy to get to 10 finalists. at least 30 projects were very very good.
Rik Panganiban : That’s a great problem to have
RuxandraP: you say that now, but you would like to be in our shoes
RuxandraP: the finalists [were] random people: journalists, a few tech people, students, housewife, business owner. Amazing.
RuxandraP: they got a makeover from our great IT and advertising friends. each of them got a tech team and an advertising agency working pro bono. then online business, legal, political advisers, an embassy, so on and so forth.
RuxandraP: they suddenly had to play the part of the idea leader. go to TV aand radio shows. we joke around saying Restart Romania is like American Idol for social change.
RuxandraP: and that next year we’re going for The Voice format.
Jen (jenelle.levenque): Much better idea I must say
Buffy Beale: love that, Romania Idol 🙂
RuxandraP: it is such a fun process, our restarters went through crazy moments that brought out the best in them and all the people around them
RuxandraP: so I highly recommend using the power of a web-based challenge to change the realities of your community.
Rik Panganiban : thats a great tagline!
Rik Panganiban : so does anyone have any questions for Ruxandra?
Jen (jenelle.levenque): Ruxandra are you using SL at all in this effort?
RuxandraP: so far we did not
Rik Panganiban : there is a virtual romanian community in SL
RuxandraP: but as soon as i figure out how to sit on a chair i will think of a strategy. 🙂
RuxandraP: it’s a great idea. SL is spectacular.
Rik Panganiban : perhaps for your next big campaign?
HB Eternal: we (the love foundation) have many friends in Romania – it is an amazing country filled with potential, so glad you are bringing awareness.
Sarvana Haalan: You must visit the Wishes Granted Winter festival …. it’s amazing to read about what can be do in SL
Rik Panganiban : more importantly, how do people find out more about Restart Romania and what TechSoup Romania is doing?
RuxandraP: we have a bunch of stuff:
- www.restartromania.ro
- www.techsoup.ro
- blog with English versions of the postings http://www.localphilanthropy.szka.org/
- and facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/TechSoup-Romania/151784688196032
Rik Panganiban : that’s very helpful thanks. well let’s thank Ruxandra for joining us late in the evening from Romania! WOOT!!!!!
Jen (jenelle.levenque): ********APPPLLLAAAUUUSSSEEE********
Gentle Heron: Thank you for sharing Ruxandra.
Dancers Yao: thank you great work
Zinnia Zauber: Thank you RuxandraP
RuxandraP: oh thank you it was my pleasure. i love-love-love SL
Rik Panganiban : Hopefully this is the first of many TechSoup experts and organizers taht we’ll be bringing to you in 2012
Jen (jenelle.levenque): Perhaps you could do a workshop for us on this
Rik Panganiban : Jen, great idea
Jen (jenelle.levenque): Sounds like something that can be used within any particular community
Rik Panganiban : we’ll see what we can do to organize something like that
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Nonprofit Commons Meeting
December 16, 8:30am PST
Plush Nonprofit Commons Amphitheater
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Plush%20Nonprofit%20Commons/88/126/26
AGENDA
- 8:30am Introductions
- 8:40am TechSoup Announcements
- 8:45am Mentors Corner
- 8:55am Ruxanda Popa, Restart Romania
- 9:30am OpenMic/ Announcements
INTRODUCTIONS
[2011/12/16 08:32] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ok we should get started
[2011/12/16 08:32] Sarvana Haalan: Hi Gentle
[2011/12/16 08:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Welcome everyone to the Nonprofit Commons
[2011/12/16 08:33] Brena Benoir: Hello Gentle
[2011/12/16 08:33] Gentle Heron: Hi Sarvana and all others.
[2011/12/16 08:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I see a couple of new faces here
[2011/12/16 08:33] Zinnia Zauber: Hi Gentle!
[2011/12/16 08:33] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Great we have an angel a good witch and Zinnia looks like another angel
[2011/12/16 08:33] Sarvana Haalan: sorry
[2011/12/16 08:33] Sarvana Haalan: lol, lol
[2011/12/16 08:33] Zinnia Zauber: ha!
[2011/12/16 08:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): This is the weekly meetup of the NPC community, where we talk about issues, news, and developments relevant to the nonprofit community
[2011/12/16 08:34] Buffy Beale: lol bulaklak I saw that
[2011/12/16 08:34] Sarvana Haalan: we got you covered today
[2011/12/16 08:34] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): We have a very special guest today, coming all the way from Romania!
[2011/12/16 08:34] bulaklak: she sat on me!
[2011/12/16 08:34] Buffy Beale: cheers for Romania!
[2011/12/16 08:34] Sarvana Haalan: woot, woot
[2011/12/16 08:34] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): But first , as always, we do introductions
[2011/12/16 08:34] Ronnie Rhode: Denise Harrison, The Garden for the Missing, http://www.gardenforthemissing.org/ and SLURL http://slurl.com/secondlife/Remora/203/148/21, Project Jason, assistance for families of the missing, http://www.projectjason.org.
[2011/12/16 08:34] HB Eternal: Harold W Becker, The Love Foundation, Florida, http://www.thelovefoundation, @lovefoundation
[2011/12/16 08:34] Zinnia Zauber: Renne Emiko Brock-Richmond, Sequim Humanities and Arts Alliance, Sequim, Washington. http://www.sequimartsalliance.org http://www.facebook.com/sequimartsalliance @renneemiko
[2011/12/16 08:34] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I’m Rik Panganiban, the community manger of the Nonprofit Commons, a project of TechSoup
[2011/12/16 08:34] Buffy Beale: Buffy Bye, Bridges for Women, Victoria BC Canada, http://www.bridgesforwomen.ca @buffyb https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bridges-for-Women/181011348617531
[2011/12/16 08:34] RuxandraP: soo sorry
[2011/12/16 08:34] bulaklak: Michael DeLong, TechSoup Global, San Francisco, @MichaelDeLongSF, www.techsoup.org
[2011/12/16 08:34] Glitteractica Cookie: Hi Ruxandra
[2011/12/16 08:34] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Please type into the text chat your real life name, organization, location in the world, URL, Twitter handle, if you wish
[2011/12/16 08:34] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Bruce Hestley, Transgender American Veterans Association, Akron, OH, http://www.tavausa.org
[2011/12/16 08:34] Gentle Heron: Virtual Ability, Inc. http://www.virtualability.org
[2011/12/16 08:34] Chad Mikado: Chad Gobertwww.serviceandinclusion.org
[2011/12/16 08:35] Sarvana Haalan: Woot for Rik!!
[2011/12/16 08:35] Kali Idziak: Jessica Dally, Community Voice Mail, Seattle WA, www.cvm.org @jessicadally @cvmnational
[2011/12/16 08:35] Glitteractica Cookie: Susan Tenby, Online Community and Social Media Director, TechSoup Global, San Francisco, CA USA @suzboop @techsoup
[2011/12/16 08:35] Dancers Yao: Kara Bennett, Elder Voices, Los Angeles, Health Care and Human Rights
[2011/12/16 08:35] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Rik Panganiban, TechSoup Global, Oakland, CA, http://nonprofitcommons.org, @npsl @betterverse
[2011/12/16 08:35] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): This is for our chat log / transcript as well as for this live meeting
[2011/12/16 08:36] alebez: ale bezdikian, Online Community Coordinator, TechSoup Global, SF, Ca. @alebez @techsoup
[2011/12/16 08:36] Sarvana Haalan: Sally Cherry, Baltimore, MD, Consultant for Protect Yourself 1, http://protectyourself1.org
[2011/12/16 08:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): welcome, Ale!
[2011/12/16 08:36] alebez: cheers, all. glad to be here.
[2011/12/16 08:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): WOOT!!!!!
[2011/12/16 08:37] DJ Earnshaw: Don Singleton, Tulsa, OK (DJ Earnshaw, Professor Viper) HelpingTulsa and APCUG, http://snipurl.com/tk41d @donsingleton
[2011/12/16 08:37] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): great, anyone else?
[2011/12/16 08:37] Brena Benoir: Brenda Bryan, Preferred Family Healthcare, Kirksville MO www.pfh.org
[2011/12/16 08:37] Red (talkwithmarie): Marie C.-talkwithmarie, aka Red., Greater Boston, Girls project/Girl TV/Talk!withmarie, http://youtube.com/girltvlive, http://youtube.com/talkwithmarie, @talkwithmarie
[2011/12/16 08:38] jacmacaire Humby: Jacques Macaire HUMANBE http://www.humanbe.com Action Tank and Council on Sustainable Development France and International @Humanbe
[2011/12/16 08:38] Ethelred Weatherwax: Dave Dexter, Neenah Historical Society, Wisconsin USA
[2011/12/16 08:38] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): good to see you, Jac
TECHSOUP ANNOUNCEMENTS
[2011/12/16 08:39] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ok let’s move on to the first item on the agenda: TechSoup Announcements
[2011/12/16 08:39] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Bulaklak, I guess that is you?
[2011/12/16 08:39] bulaklak: Yep!
[2011/12/16 08:39] bulaklak: Hi, all. Happy Friday, if it is Friday where you are.
[2011/12/16 08:39] bulaklak: Apropos of our guest today, I want to invite you to join us for a tweet chat co-produced with TechSoup Romania. The topic will be content curation and we’ll be talking about all the best tools and methods for adding context and value to the massive flow of information we take in every day, as well as how to listen to your community.
[2011/12/16 08:40] bulaklak: We’re using the hashtag #tschat, and you can read more information at the link that follows, including some great primer info if you’ve never participated in a tweet chat before, and a link to the tweet chat room (which makes it SUPER SIMPLE to participate): http://bit.ly/tschat-curation
[2011/12/16 08:40] Glitteractica Cookie: This tweetchat should be really good. It’s all about effective curation on the web, so you can make the feeds and tweets you read more contextualized and efficient
[2011/12/16 08:41] bulaklak: Other than that, I just want to let you know that TechSoup will be closed December 24 – January 1, although our site will still be up. If you order donations during that time, they will be fulfilled in the new year.
[2011/12/16 08:41] Glitteractica Cookie: paper.li, smmuify, storify, scoop.it and more
[2011/12/16 08:41] bulaklak: And that’s what I’ve got for today. Have a great weekend, folks!
[2011/12/16 08:41] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): smmuify is a real thing?
[2011/12/16 08:41] Buffy Beale: when is the tweetchat?
[2011/12/16 08:41] Glitteractica Cookie: summify
[2011/12/16 08:41] bulaklak: December 21 at 9am Pacific
[2011/12/16 08:42] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ah ok
[2011/12/16 08:42] Buffy Beale: ty
[2011/12/16 08:42] bulaklak: And here is the link again http://bit.ly/tschat-curation
[2011/12/16 08:42] bulaklak: Hope you all can come!
[2011/12/16 08:42] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): tweetchats are really interesting, if you have never participated in one
[2011/12/16 08:42] Buffy Beale: they’re great, lot’s of fun
[2011/12/16 08:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): not as many cute robots, but easier to participate in semi-passively
[2011/12/16 08:43] Glitteractica Cookie: and such a quick easy way to learn
[2011/12/16 08:43] bulaklak: Buffy always adds a lot to the conversation in the tweet chats.
[2011/12/16 08:43] Buffy Beale: 🙂
[2011/12/16 08:43] bulaklak: And you are of course welcome to lurk and learn, as well, if that’s what is comfortable.
[2011/12/16 08:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): And before I forget…..
[2011/12/16 08:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Here are the many ways to can get involved with the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life:
Nonprofit Commons blog: http://nonprofitcommons.org
Wiki: http://npsl.wikispaces.com
Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/TechSoup-Second-Life
Google Calendar: http://bit.ly/2tMEYh
About TechSoup:
http://www.techsoup.org/tools/howtousetechsoup/
http://flavors.me/nonprofitcommons
Weekly Networking Event: Wharf Ratz, Aloft, Tuesdays, 7-9pm SLT
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aloft%20Nonprofit%20Commons/168/22…
Monthly Networking Event (1st Thursday):
Common Ground, Plush, 5PM-7PM SLT
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Plush%20Nonprofit%20Commons/128/22…
NPC Promo Video http://bit.ly/draxtorNPCvid
MENTORS CORNER
[2011/12/16 08:44] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ok shall we move on to Mentors Corner?
[2011/12/16 08:44] Zinnia Zauber: Great!
[2011/12/16 08:45] Zinnia Zauber: Good morning!
[2011/12/16 08:45] Red (talkwithmarie): ROund of applause for the Wishes Granted Team!!! woot woot!!
[2011/12/16 08:45] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): woo hoo!
[2011/12/16 08:45] Buffy Beale: yay Z!
[2011/12/16 08:45] Red (talkwithmarie): wanted to get that out. Youre awesome!
[2011/12/16 08:45] Zinnia Zauber: I want to first say that we are so thankful for all the Mentors!
[2011/12/16 08:45] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you, Red!
[2011/12/16 08:45] Zinnia Zauber: Buffy has passed the torch to me to lead the Mentors.
[2011/12/16 08:45] Zinnia Zauber: So please thank her!
[2011/12/16 08:46] Zinnia Zauber: Rah Buffy!
[2011/12/16 08:46] Red (talkwithmarie): Yay Buffy!
[2011/12/16 08:46] Buffy Beale: awww ty, the pleasure was all mine
[2011/12/16 08:46] Ronnie Rhode: Yay both of you!
[2011/12/16 08:46] Buffy Beale: a great group
[2011/12/16 08:46] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): very happy to see smooth transitions like this
[2011/12/16 08:46] Zinnia Zauber: Her and Ozma have been amazing to support our community!
[2011/12/16 08:46] Buffy Beale: ty for the tweet out about that Rik 🙂
[2011/12/16 08:46] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you guys!
[2011/12/16 08:46] Zinnia Zauber: So, I want to cover two things today!
[2011/12/16 08:47] Zinnia Zauber: First, Wishes Granted.
[2011/12/16 08:47] Zinnia Zauber: We have had some wonderful events and more to come this weekend.
[2011/12/16 08:47] Zinnia Zauber: Saturday, December 17, 2011 10 AM-1 PM SLT Snow Globe Building Contest, entries are limited so please be sure to arrive early at the Nonprofit Common Community Area on Aloft
[2011/12/16 08:48] Zinnia Zauber: It is a chance to create a lovely build and win prizes!
[2011/12/16 08:48] Zinnia Zauber: Then later…
[2011/12/16 08:48] Zinnia Zauber: Saturday, December 17, 2011 6:00-8:00 PM SLT Dance with Live Music at the NonProfit Commons Community Area on Aloft
[2011/12/16 08:48] Zinnia Zauber: The dance will end our event, but the display will remain up for everyone to enjoy
[2011/12/16 08:48] Red (talkwithmarie): awesome!
[2011/12/16 08:48] Zinnia Zauber: We have been pleased with how things have worked with our books and will share with you all how it went later.
[2011/12/16 08:49] HB Eternal: the books are awesome!
[2011/12/16 08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Regardless, please take the time to read them and support fellow NPC Peeps!
[2011/12/16 08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you HB!
[2011/12/16 08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you Red!
[2011/12/16 08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Okay
[2011/12/16 08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Second item
[2011/12/16 08:49] Zinnia Zauber: We are thrilled to be this educational element of the weekly meetings.
[2011/12/16 08:50] Zinnia Zauber: So, we continue to develop what we will teach.
[2011/12/16 08:50] Zinnia Zauber: I want to put it out there that any of YOU are welcome to teach as well.
[2011/12/16 08:50] Zinnia Zauber: Not just the Mentors
[2011/12/16 08:50] Zinnia Zauber: So if you have something you would like to share
[2011/12/16 08:50] Zinnia Zauber: please do
[2011/12/16 08:51] bulaklak: Excellent idea!
[2011/12/16 08:51] Zinnia Zauber: I believe that we all have lots to share and learn from each other.
[2011/12/16 08:51] Zinnia Zauber: As well as, we are always open to ideas to teach.
[2011/12/16 08:51] Gentle Heron: Everyone here knows at least one thing that others don’t know… and might be of value to someone, sometime.
[2011/12/16 08:51] Zinnia Zauber: Please contact me or any Mentor.
[2011/12/16 08:51] Zinnia Zauber: Yes, yes, thank you Gentle.
[2011/12/16 08:51] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): very true
[2011/12/16 08:52] Zinnia Zauber: I want to encourage you all to be a light and lead us to new ideas and ways of working in virtual worlds.
[2011/12/16 08:52] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you all and please enjoy all the Wishes Granted books and events!
[2011/12/16 08:53] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): thanks so much to the mentors team for leading teh charge on this winter festival
[2011/12/16 08:53] Zinnia Zauber: Join us after this meeting for Mentor’s Meeting if you need help!
[2011/12/16 08:53] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): its been a great way to bring new folks to the NPC, and highlight the work of our groups
[2011/12/16 08:53] Red (talkwithmarie): .-‘`’-. APPLAUSE APPLAUSE .-‘`’-.
[2011/12/16 08:53] Sarvana Haalan: I have questions….
[2011/12/16 08:53] Sarvana Haalan: rather one
[2011/12/16 08:54] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): sure saravana
[2011/12/16 08:54] Sarvana Haalan: Zinnia, how did the team decide on using the giant books and was th edesigning challenging?
[2011/12/16 08:55] Zinnia Zauber: We wanted to tell real life fairy tales.
[2011/12/16 08:55] Zinnia Zauber: And, it wasn’t easy to create the books.
[2011/12/16 08:56] Sarvana Haalan: amazing job
[2011/12/16 08:56] Zinnia Zauber: That is why I needed everything emailed to me to create them.
[2011/12/16 08:56] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you, Sarvana!
[2011/12/16 08:56] Zinnia Zauber: We are pleased and hope to create more for another event…. maybe…
TECHSOUP ROMANIA
[2011/12/16 08:56] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ok we should move on to our featured presenter
[2011/12/16 08:56] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ruxandra, please come on down
[2011/12/16 08:56] Zinnia Zauber: People have really taken the time to read the stories.
[2011/12/16 08:57] RuxandraP: wow
[2011/12/16 08:57] RuxandraP: tough
[2011/12/16 08:57] RuxandraP: 🙂
[2011/12/16 08:57] RuxandraP: :))
[2011/12/16 08:57] RuxandraP: can i write from here
[2011/12/16 08:57] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Mentors, can someone please connected with Sammed. He has some questions.
[2011/12/16 08:57] alebez: you got it girl! 🙂
[2011/12/16 08:57] RuxandraP: really
[2011/12/16 08:58] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ruxandra that is right
[2011/12/16 08:58] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ruxandra is with TechSoup Romania, and she is going to tell us about a really neat initiative called “Restart Romania”
[2011/12/16 08:58] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): very inspiring, and helpful as we think about running campaigns
[2011/12/16 08:58] RuxandraP: and not from the chair
[2011/12/16 08:58] RuxandraP: it seems
[2011/12/16 08:58] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): go ahead Ruxandra. Please introduce yourself.
[2011/12/16 08:59] RuxandraP: onthank you Rik
[2011/12/16 08:59] RuxandraP: hi there
[2011/12/16 08:59] Glitteractica Cookie: Welcome Ruxandra!
[2011/12/16 08:59] RuxandraP: i’m a member of the TechSoup team in Romania
[2011/12/16 08:59] Buffy Beale: cheering!!!
[2011/12/16 08:59] RuxandraP: First of all, I apologize for my poor SL skills
[2011/12/16 08:59] Glitteractica Cookie: what is your twitter handle?
[2011/12/16 09:00] RuxandraP: I hope I will not be sitting on any of you in the following minutes.
[2011/12/16 09:00] Angelle Marquette: Welcome to SL, RuxandraP!
[2011/12/16 09:00] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): lol. no problem, Ruxandra. You are doing great.
[2011/12/16 09:00] Buffy Beale: not to worry Ruxandra, it will all make sense and the mentors can help you too 🙂
[2011/12/16 09:00] RuxandraP: so I’m from Romania, a small remote Eastern European country but one with a TechSoup office 
[2011/12/16 09:01] RuxandraP: yes please. fix me
[2011/12/16 09:01] RuxandraP: 🙂
[2011/12/16 09:01] RuxandraP: I would love to share some of the stuff we’ve done in our first year of existence
[2011/12/16 09:01] RuxandraP: , Hopefully I can convince some of you to get on the Restart boat.
[2011/12/16 09:02] RuxandraP: 6 months ago we got this crazy idea in our head that we could help solve some of the issues our country is facing through a TechSoup challenge
[2011/12/16 09:03] RuxandraP: 6 months ago we got this crazy idea in our head that we could help solve some of the issues our country is facing through a TechSoup challenge
[2011/12/16 09:03] RuxandraP: Pure online for social change stuff
[2011/12/16 09:03] RuxandraP: It turned out that the most pressing matters are corruption and lack of efficiency in the system
[2011/12/16 09:04] RuxandraP: which spiced things up more than enough
[2011/12/16 09:05] RuxandraP: Despite hundreds of people telling us it will never work
[2011/12/16 09:05] RuxandraP: we are currently looking at 9 awesome websites that fight against bribery and inefficiency
[2011/12/16 09:05] RuxandraP: and engage citizens in fixing stuff
[2011/12/16 09:06] RuxandraP: it was and amazing adventure
[2011/12/16 09:07] RuxandraP: and we still cannot believe we managed to pull it off
[2011/12/16 09:07] RuxandraP: here’s an example
[2011/12/16 09:07] RuxandraP: http://dispari.ro/
[2011/12/16 09:08] RuxandraP: citizen reporting of bribery incidents
[2011/12/16 09:08] RuxandraP: and getting the right info on how to fight it and avoid
[2011/12/16 09:09] RuxandraP: shady situations
[2011/12/16 09:09] RuxandraP: this one didn’t even win the challenge
[2011/12/16 09:09] RuxandraP: 🙂
[2011/12/16 09:09] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Wow, impressive use of tech for citizen monitoring
[2011/12/16 09:10] Angelle Marquette: Very very good idea, too, Ruxandra
[2011/12/16 09:10] RuxandraP: thanl you Rik
[2011/12/16 09:10] RuxandraP: the fun part was getting there
[2011/12/16 09:10] RuxandraP: the sites are abut 80% done right now
[2011/12/16 09:10] RuxandraP: and we are preparing launch for all of them
[2011/12/16 09:11] RuxandraP: so how did we get this done
[2011/12/16 09:12] RuxandraP: we opened call for proposals of online based projecects that would produce change in the society
[2011/12/16 09:12] RuxandraP: www.restartromania.ro
[2011/12/16 09:12] RuxandraP: anyone -and i mean anyone – could come with a basic idea
[2011/12/16 09:13] RuxandraP: and during a month and a half develop it into a project proposal
[2011/12/16 09:13] RuxandraP: with the help of the other users
[2011/12/16 09:14] RuxandraP: we had a strong partnership with the most important online media outlet in the country
[2011/12/16 09:14] RuxandraP: and they drove users to our platform through dedicated edittorial content
[2011/12/16 09:14] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): So they didn’t need to be tech experts to participate?
[2011/12/16 09:14] RuxandraP: the variety of people proposing projects was amazing
[2011/12/16 09:15] RuxandraP: no, even i could have done it with my awesome tech skills
[2011/12/16 09:15] RuxandraP: 🙂
[2011/12/16 09:15] Angelle Marquette: http://www.restartromania.ro
[2011/12/16 09:15] RuxandraP: we hoped for 25 proposals
[2011/12/16 09:15] RuxandraP: we got 144
[2011/12/16 09:15] Sarvana Haalan: wow
[2011/12/16 09:16] RuxandraP: it wasn’t easy to get to 10 finalists
[2011/12/16 09:16] RuxandraP: at leas 30 projects were very very good
[2011/12/16 09:16] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): That’s a great problem to have
[2011/12/16 09:17] Andy Evans: Hi folks, is there a meeting soon?
[2011/12/16 09:17] RuxandraP: you say that now, but you would like to be in our shoes
[2011/12/16 09:17] RuxandraP: hi Andy
[2011/12/16 09:17] RuxandraP: i have no idea
[2011/12/16 09:17] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Hi Andy, this is a meeting of the nonproit commons
[2011/12/16 09:17] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): please feel free to have a seat in the audience if you’d like to partiicpate
[2011/12/16 09:18] RuxandraP: love yur avatar, Andy
[2011/12/16 09:18] RuxandraP: i’m glad it’s not a green robot
[2011/12/16 09:18] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): please continue Ruxandra
[2011/12/16 09:18] RuxandraP: s the finalists
[2011/12/16 09:18] RuxandraP: random people
[2011/12/16 09:19] RuxandraP: journalists, a few tech people, students, housewife, business owner
[2011/12/16 09:19] RuxandraP: amazing
[2011/12/16 09:19] RuxandraP: they got a makeover
[2011/12/16 09:19] Buffy Beale: really
[2011/12/16 09:20] RuxandraP: from our great IT and advertising friends
[2011/12/16 09:20] RuxandraP: each of them got a tech team and an advertising agency working pro bono
[2011/12/16 09:20] RuxandraP: then online business, legal, political advisers
[2011/12/16 09:21] RuxandraP: an embassy
[2011/12/16 09:21] RuxandraP: soon and so forth
[2011/12/16 09:21] RuxandraP: they suddenly had to play the part of the idea leade
[2011/12/16 09:21] RuxandraP: go to TV aand radio shows
[2011/12/16 09:22] RuxandraP: we joke around saying Restart Romania is like American Idol
[2011/12/16 09:22] RuxandraP: for social change
[2011/12/16 09:22] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): nice!
[2011/12/16 09:22] RuxandraP: and that next year we’re going for The Voice format
[2011/12/16 09:22] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Much better idea I must say
[2011/12/16 09:22] RuxandraP: 🙂
[2011/12/16 09:23] Buffy Beale: love that, Romania Idol 🙂
[2011/12/16 09:23] raanyrp95: ooooi
[2011/12/16 09:23] RuxandraP: it is such a fun process
[2011/12/16 09:23] Buffy Beale: whispers: sorry have to leave all, have a delightful day
[2011/12/16 09:24] RuxandraP: bye Buffy
[2011/12/16 09:24] RuxandraP: have a lovely day
[2011/12/16 09:24] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): so does anyone have any questions for Euxandra
[2011/12/16 09:24] RuxandraP: our restarters went through crazy moments
[2011/12/16 09:25] RuxandraP: that brought out the best in them
[2011/12/16 09:25] RuxandraP: and all the people around them
[2011/12/16 09:25] raanyrp95: Ooooi Zinnia
[2011/12/16 09:26] Zinnia Zauber: 😀
[2011/12/16 09:26] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Ruxandra are you using SL at all in this effort?
[2011/12/16 09:26] RuxandraP: so I highly recommend using the power of a web-based challenge to change the realities of your community
[2011/12/16 09:27] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): thats a great tagline!
[2011/12/16 09:27] RuxandraP: so far we did not
[2011/12/16 09:27] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): there is a virtual romanian community in SL
[2011/12/16 09:27] RuxandraP: but as soon as i figure out how to sit on a chair i will think of a strategy
[2011/12/16 09:27] RuxandraP: 🙂
[2011/12/16 09:27] RuxandraP: it’s a great idea
[2011/12/16 09:27] RuxandraP: SL is spectacular
[2011/12/16 09:27] Gentle Heron: right click and choose SIT
[2011/12/16 09:28] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): perhaps for your next big campaign?
[2011/12/16 09:28] RuxandraP: what can i click on so that i sit on the right place though?
[2011/12/16 09:28] RuxandraP: 🙂
[2011/12/16 09:28] RuxandraP: The Voice?
[2011/12/16 09:28] RuxandraP: that’s a great idea
[2011/12/16 09:29] HB Eternal: we (the love foundation) have many friends in Romania – it is an amazing country filled with potential, so glad you are bringing awareness
[2011/12/16 09:29] Sarvana Haalan: You must visit the Wishes Granter Winter festival …. it’s amazing to read about what can be do in SL
[2011/12/16 09:29] Sarvana Haalan: *Granted
[2011/12/16 09:29] Gentle Heron: Should be able to click on the stool itself.
[2011/12/16 09:29] RuxandraP: thank you so much
[2011/12/16 09:29] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): doen’t worry about that
[2011/12/16 09:30] RuxandraP: so, do we have questions?
[2011/12/16 09:30] RuxandraP: i was hoping for that
[2011/12/16 09:30] Glitteractica Cookie: thanks ruxandra!
[2011/12/16 09:30] RuxandraP: 🙂
[2011/12/16 09:30] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): more importantly, how do people find out more about Restart Romania and what TechSoup Romania is doing?
[2011/12/16 09:30] RuxandraP: anytime Susan
[2011/12/16 09:30] RuxandraP: thank you for the invite
[2011/12/16 09:30] RuxandraP: we have a bunch of stuff
[2011/12/16 09:31] RuxandraP: www.restartromania.ro
[2011/12/16 09:31] RuxandraP: www.techsoup.ro
[2011/12/16 09:31] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): great we’ll include that in the recap
[2011/12/16 09:31] RuxandraP: a blog with English versions of the postings
[2011/12/16 09:31] RuxandraP: http://www.localphilanthropy.szka.org/
[2011/12/16 09:32] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): that’s very helpful thanks
[2011/12/16 09:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): well let’s thank Ruxandra for joining us late in the evening from Romania!
[2011/12/16 09:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): WOOT!!!!!
[2011/12/16 09:33] RuxandraP: and facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/TechSoup-Romania/151784688196032
[2011/12/16 09:33] Jen (jenelle.levenque): ********APPPLLLAAAUUUSSSEEE********
[2011/12/16 09:33] RuxandraP: oh thank you
[2011/12/16 09:33] RuxandraP: it was my pleasure
[2011/12/16 09:33] Gentle Heron: Thank you for sharing Ruxandra.
[2011/12/16 09:34] RuxandraP: we’ll be seeing eachother often
[2011/12/16 09:34] Dancers Yao: thank you great work
[2011/12/16 09:34] RuxandraP: i love-love-love SL
[2011/12/16 09:34] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you RucandraP
[2011/12/16 09:34] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Hopefully this is the first of many TechSoup experts and organizers taht we’ll be bringing to you in 2012
[2011/12/16 09:35] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Perhaps you could do a workshop for us on this
[2011/12/16 09:35] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Jen, great idea
[2011/12/16 09:35] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Sounds like something that can be used within any particular community
[2011/12/16 09:35] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): we’ll see what we can do to organize something like that
[2011/12/16 09:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): But for now, we should move on to our last agenda item….
OPEN MIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
[2011/12/16 09:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Open Mic / Announcements
[2011/12/16 09:36] Sarvana Haalan: It;s neat to see the “global” aspect of TechSoup…
[2011/12/16 09:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): who has something to tell the group and our wider community?
[2011/12/16 09:36] HB Eternal: raises hand
[2011/12/16 09:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): please raise your hand, or claw
[2011/12/16 09:36] Zinnia Zauber: hand raised
[2011/12/16 09:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): (or pincer)
[2011/12/16 09:37] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): go ahead HB
[2011/12/16 09:37] HB Eternal: We (The Love Foundation) just launched two new global RL projects… a film/documentary project entitled Love Begins With Me Рwhere people around the world can submit their own videos to be considered and included – visit our special website for this at http://www.lovebeginswithme.org
[2011/12/16 09:37] Zinnia Zauber: Rah!!! It is awesome!
[2011/12/16 09:37] Gentle Heron: me too please
[2011/12/16 09:37] HB Eternal: And a social participation movement called – All Nations Love – where people can share their examples of goodness and kindness going on every day in their culture and nation, visit http://www.facebook.com/allnationslove We welcome your participation!
[2011/12/16 09:37] Sarvana Haalan: Wooot, woot
[2011/12/16 09:37] Zinnia Zauber: Feel the love!
[2011/12/16 09:38] Sarvana Haalan: smiles
[2011/12/16 09:38] Zinnia Zauber: These are so cool, HB!
[2011/12/16 09:38] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): HB, that awesome. Please send that to the google group or blog it up on nonprofitcommons.org
[2011/12/16 09:38] HB Eternal: k
[2011/12/16 09:38] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ok zinnia and then gentle
[2011/12/16 09:38] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you!
[2011/12/16 09:38] Sarvana Haalan: Zinnia, Zinnia…
[2011/12/16 09:39] Zinnia Zauber: A reminder that we have changed CommonGround to be the 3rd Thursday of the month.
[2011/12/16 09:39] Haka: Type ‘haka’ to booing action
[2011/12/16 09:39] Haka: Type ‘haka stop’ to stop action
[2011/12/16 09:39] Zinnia Zauber: We had our first one this month, please change that in the announcements.
[2011/12/16 09:39] Zinnia Zauber: And, thank you for all of those who attended!
[2011/12/16 09:39] Zinnia Zauber: It is an important event to network with others.
[2011/12/16 09:39] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you!
[2011/12/16 09:40] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): thanks Zinnia. Gentle?
[2011/12/16 09:40] Gentle Heron: Virtual Ability is trying out a new model for a professional conference… one that is on a broad topic, but spread out over two months. Our topic is social justice for people with disabilities. We had our first presentation, on Women and Girls with Disabilities, yesterday.
[2011/12/16 09:40] Gentle Heron: Our next event will be “Redefining Disability: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.” It will be held Thursday, December 29, repeated sessions at 7 am and 4 pm SLT.
[2011/12/16 09:41] Gentle Heron: We also have some related poster displays on Healthinfo Island during this time frame. Please consider joining us for this ongoing series of presentations and discussions.
[2011/12/16 09:41] Gentle Heron: (done)
[2011/12/16 09:41] Zinnia Zauber: Great!
[2011/12/16 09:42] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you Gentle!
[2011/12/16 09:42] Zinnia Zauber: We all can learn so much from your org!
[2011/12/16 09:42] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): super important, thanks for sharing
[2011/12/16 09:42] Gentle Heron: It’s an experiment in design of information delivery
[2011/12/16 09:42] Zinnia Zauber: cool!
[2011/12/16 09:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): that’s great.
[2011/12/16 09:44] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): any other announcements before I let you go?
[2011/12/16 09:44] Gentle Heron: question- are we meeting next week?
[2011/12/16 09:44] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): If not, thanks everyone for joining us today!
[2011/12/16 09:44] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Yes, I think we should meet next week
[2011/12/16 09:44] Zinnia Zauber: What is happening during the holidays?
[2011/12/16 09:44] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): unless people think we should skip it?
[2011/12/16 09:45] Gentle Heron: Will people be in SL, or doing RL stuff?
[2011/12/16 09:45] Zinnia Zauber: I don’t know how many of us will make it.
[2011/12/16 09:45] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I’m around so I’m happy to host
[2011/12/16 09:45] Gentle Heron: Can we vote? (I don’t have an RL, so I can be here.)
[2011/12/16 09:45] Zinnia Zauber: aww, Gentle
[2011/12/16 09:45] Sarvana Haalan: I will be here
[2011/12/16 09:45] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): who will come next week, if we have an NPC meeting?
[2011/12/16 09:45] Glitteractica Cookie: We could make it an informal brainstorm of the future of NPC
[2011/12/16 09:45] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Rik Panganiban raises hand
[2011/12/16 09:45] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Raises Hand
[2011/12/16 09:46] jacmacaire Humby: probably me 🙂
[2011/12/16 09:46] Sarvana Haalan: awesome… a meeting of reflections and looking ahead…
[2011/12/16 09:46] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I might do a year end wrap up too
[2011/12/16 09:47] Gentle Heron: Be prepared for lots of new teenagers bopping in
[2011/12/16 09:47] Zinnia Zauber: bop! bop!
[2011/12/16 09:47] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): sure thing
[2011/12/16 09:47] Sarvana Haalan: so they are our “visitors”
[2011/12/16 09:47] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ok lets do something informal and light next week
[2011/12/16 09:47] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Hi Thompsonme
[2011/12/16 09:47] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): and with that, let’s close this meeting
[2011/12/16 09:48] Jen (jenelle.levenque): How about NPC New Year’s Resolutions
[2011/12/16 09:48] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): thanks Ruxandra for joining us!
[2011/12/16 09:48] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): and thansk all of you for taking time in your busy day t obe with us
[2011/12/16 09:48] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Hopefully you got something valuable out of it for your work
[2011/12/16 09:49] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Have a lovely friday and weekend everyone!
[2011/12/16 09:49] alebez: Thank you, Ruxandra! Everyone have a wonderful day.
[2011/12/16 09:49] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): are mentors meeting now?
[2011/12/16 09:50] Gentle Heron: after a bio break, yes
[2011/12/16 09:50] Zinnia Zauber: Okay, Mentor Meeting in 5 minutes
[2011/12/16 09:50] Zinnia Zauber: 9:55
[2011/12/16 09:50] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): great
[2011/12/16 09:50] Sarvana Haalan: I will be posting Winter Festival pics to the NPSL’s Flickr pool later today
[2011/12/16 09:51] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): awesome
[2011/12/16 09:51] Glitteractica Cookie: ok, talk to you all later. I will try to stop by next week, if I can
[2011/12/16 09:51] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): can’t wait to see them
[2011/12/16 09:51] Glitteractica Cookie: bye all
[2011/12/16 09:51] Sarvana Haalan: bye
[2011/12/16 09:51] Sarvana Haalan: brb
Written by: rikomatic