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.