INTRODUCTION
Politics in a democracy is supposed to be a grassroots effort.
Here in the United States, our government is supposed to be by and for the people. Most of us would agree, however, that the people part of democracy has been sadly lacking. Voter turnout has been in decline for years. Lobbyists are perceived as more influential than constituents. The size of campaign contributions has been equated with access to candidates.
Enter social media. In myriad ways, social media is being used to give the grassroots more voice. Or is it? Social networks like Facebook and MySpace have been used in debates and by the candidates. In the UK, even the Queen is on YouTube. Candidates have raised record-breaking money with social media. But is this a revolution, or are we simply recycling Web 1.0 strategies in a Web 2.0 world? Whatever you think of the outcome, this primary season has provided us a lot of food for thought.
Incidentally, in preparing for this issue of NTEN Connect, we emailed 8 presidential campaigns, asking them to contribute articles on their use of technology. All of the Democratic campaigns added us to their email lists without asking our permission, while the Republicans ignored us completely. Really, you can't make this stuff up!
Best,
Holly
RANT: OLD TACTICS, OLD TOOLS (WHAT IS GOING ON?)
Brian Reich, EchoDitto
We are only part way through the 2008 election cycle and there have already been dozens, perhaps hundreds of articles written, TV hours spent, and blog comments posted about the role that the internet and technology are playing in this election cycle. The general consensus among the pundits seems to be that this is the year that technology, particularly social media, has had a significant impact on the outcome of the presidential election contest.
Unfortunately, that consensus is wrong and those pundits don’t know what they are talking about.
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FEATURE: HALLMARKS OF AN ONLINE INSURGENT CAMPAIGN
  
Justin Perkins, Heather Holdridge, & James O’Malley, Care2
It's happening.
A few small nonprofits with distributed networks of volunteers are swamping social networks and raising thousands of dollars for orphans in China and other worthy causes. Obama, Edwards and Ron Paul have seen droves of new donors come out of the woodwork with surprising speed.
Though the tried and true one-to-many broadcast model is still working, plenty of examples confirm the notion that loose distributed networks with very little centralized oversight or control can rally together around a common goal in support of an organization -- both nonprofits and political candidates.
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2008 NTC DEADLINE
What? You're not registered for the NTC yet? The price jumps on March 1st, so if you're planning on joining us in New Orleans, March 19-21st -- you are, right? -- now's the time to act.
IT STAFFING REPORT
Did you know that, on average, nonprofits employ one IT staff member for every 26 employees?
Download the FREE report, "Nonprofit IT Staffing", a team effort by NTEN and the Nonprofit Times, for the latest on IT staff tenure, satisfaction, and more.
MEMBER DISCOUNTS
Learning Tree
In addition to the standard 10% discount NTEN members receive on IT and management training from Learning Tree, members can also save $300 on the 3 Course Training Passport - but you have to sign up for the special Training Passport by March 31st!
Z2 Systems
Z2 Systems delivers comprehensive internet solutions and related services that help non-profit professionals work more effectively and efficiently to engage, retain and motivate their clients. NTEN members get a 35% discount.
WEBINAR PACKAGES
NTEN Members already save on our incisive, insightful webinars, but now you can save even more with our new package deals!
Save an additional $20 with the MultiPass, good for 3 webinars of your choice. Or purchase the 2008 Season Pass: unlimited webinars for only $250.
UPCOMING WEBINAR
You might want to use your new webinar package to join NPTech luminary Michelle Murrain for " OpenOffice.org: The Free and Open Source Office Suite". OpenOffice reads and writes MS Office formats, so by attending this webinar, you may just save hundreds on software upgrades.
When: Tuesday, Feb. 26th
Cost: $25 for NTEN Members, $50 for Non-members
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Monique Cuvelier, 
Annaliese Hoehling,