The highlight of Web 2.0 today was actually a very low-key, low-tech session on "Recovery 2.0," i.e. working to prevent future Katrinas through better disaster planning, preparedness and response. Jeff Jarvis led the session, having raised the call to arms in a recent post and arranged for the space with the Web 2.0 organizers, and we had a great turnout, given the competition (free booze at any of a number of sponsored events) and the timeslot (6pm after a long day of conferencing). Even some bigshots like Michael Powell and Craig Newmark showed up.
We introduced ourselves (a very valuable community-building experience, even if it does entice some people who really should know better into talking at great length about their Special Story), brainstormed a list of characteristics that any Recovery 2.0 initiatives should have, and agreed to keep working together at the Recovery 2.0 wiki. A good meeting--focused but inclusive, open-minded but with a tangible outcome, and it ended on time! Kudos to Jeff and Greg Burton for pulling it together--I'm excited about the next steps.
2 Responses
I suppose I'm one of the people who should have known better in spouting off My Special Story. Nonetheless I couldn't help it - I'm still amazed with the serendipitous path that took me from everyday mommy blogger to a blog keeper in charge of an effective relief project for Mississippi.
Like you, I'm eager to move our work along and to contribute and collaborate.
I wish you well.
Actually, Grace, I wasn't even thinking of you--I hadn't been to your blog before, and it was great to learn about it. (I probably shouldn't have made such a snarky comment in my post--I know people are just enthusiastic about their work. But almost everyone in the nonprofit sector has a Special Story to tell, and when people don't rein it in a little, they turn meetings into endless marathons. Kudos to Jeff for keeping things moving last night.) Kudos to you as well for the amazing work you're doing--I look forward to staying in touch.