Community Blog

In the coming months, we will be aggregating some of the best posts from North America’s social tech leaders.

Thoughts from a Web of Change veteran

By Nicole Lampe on 06/12/2012 - 21:44

Some might describe Web of Change as a journey. Or a trip. Not Darren Barefoot, despite the fact that he’ll travel 5,000 miles to reach Hollyhock this September. Woo woo is not his style. He coexists comfortably with the more kumbaya aspects of the event, focusing instead on the content: cutting edge and relevant. And the people: leaders and changemakers eager to exchange ideas.

Introducing Web of Change’s New Network Curator, Phil Klein

By Nicole Lampe on 04/25/2012 - 18:23

Phil Klein, network curator for Web of Change

Anyone that has been to Web of Change can attest to its alchemy. It’s a rare event designed to honor the wisdom of the group rather than exalting a panel of experts. And the community never disappoints--the richness of ideas and experiences they bring to the table is both humbling and inspiring.

2013: Help us find a U.S. host

By Neal Bastek on 03/02/2012 - 14:28

During the recent community renewal process we unearthed a lot of passion and love for Hollyhock, but also a strong desire to try a more accessible, U.S.-based wilderness location. We're committed to doing just that in 2013. (If you haven't heard, Web of Change 2012 is on at Hollyhock!)

Community Renewal Report

By Jason Mogus on 02/06/2012 - 16:00

Thank you to everyone who has participated in our recent community driven renewal process, whether by voting in the online poll, attending one of our consultations, or meeting with
me or others from the transition council. We've engaged at least 150 members, many who have expressed passionate, heart-felt opinions about our future. A success in anyone's books.

18 questions on the future of Web of Change

By Jason Mogus on 12/12/2011 - 20:52

For those of you following along, over the last three months we've been running a unique community driven consultation process to co-create the future of Web of Change programs and institution. This fall we created a new "transition council", recruited some key process advisors, and have directly engaged nearly 80 of you via a series of activities which included an open session at WOC 2011, two community conference calls, local meetings in major WOC cities, and multiple smaller scale lunches, meetings, email submissions, and phone calls.

Making the Case for Change

By Jason Mogus on 11/10/2011 - 10:49

Web of Change has grown to the point where the expectations on quality, on community engagement, on everything we do are very high. This is a good thing! But it's clear that the largely volunteer model we've relied on to pull of our signature event is unsustainable.

Here's where we stand as we look to the future:

Reflections on Web of Change 2011 and Hollyhock

By Neal Bastek on 10/25/2011 - 15:56

Web of Change happens at a pretty special place each year, Hollyhock — Canada's premier lifelong learning center — on Cortes Island in British Columbia. A remote yet intimate setting, the timber-framed lodges perched on the edge of the Pacific ocean amid the lush temperate rainforest provide a space that nurtures meaningful connections and deep personal discovery.

While at Web of Change 2011, Hollyhock videographers grabbed two of our most fearless leaders and captured their thoughts on why Web of Change and why at Hollyhock.

Engagement at Web of Change 2011

By Neal Bastek on 09/29/2011 - 21:54

Engagement was a big part of this year's agenda at Web of Change. A great video from two-time Web of Changer Charles Tsai gets to the heart of some of the deep thinking on engagement that happened at Hollyhock last weekend:

Well that was pretty awesome

By Neal Bastek on 09/27/2011 - 12:43

Wow. What an edifying, enlightening, inspiring experience. Web of Change is a unique little bit of magic that only works if everyone involved brings their best and then some; 100 digital leaders did just that, magic happened, and we can't wait to see what emerges from the WOC11 elixir. Kudos and gratitude all around.

As we transition back to the real world, a couple right-away things to keep top of mind:

Interact with the Agenda: Impact

By Neal Bastek on 09/19/2011 - 22:44

Here's a little light reading for the trip.

The innovative agenda for WOC11 is grounded in conversations about the big themes in our space. You can read the entire agenda outline here.

In the community spirit of Web of Change, we're seeding these conversations now, (right!) before the event begins, and with members of our community who can't make it to Hollyhock this year (we miss you).

Last but not least: Impact. Here's what the Fellows had to say:

Interact with the Agenda: Rethinking Audience

By Neal Bastek on 09/16/2011 - 09:48

The innovative agenda for WOC11 is grounded in conversations about the big themes in our space. You can read the entire agenda outline here.

In the community spirit of Web of Change, we're seeding these conversations now, before the event begins, and with members of our community who can't make it to Hollyhock this year.

This week's topic: Rethinking Audience. Here's what the Fellows had to say:

Interact with the Agenda: Access

By Neal Bastek on 09/12/2011 - 22:43

The innovative agenda for WOC11 is grounded in conversations about the big themes in our space. You can read the entire agenda outline here.

In the community spirit of Web of Change, we're seeding these conversations now, before the event begins, and with members of our community who can't make it to Hollyhock this year.

This week's topic: Access. Here's what the Fellows had to say:

Interact with the Agenda: Engagement Deep Dive

By Neal Bastek on 09/06/2011 - 08:31

Agenda Anchor Sam Dorman developed an innovative agenda for WOC11, grounded in conversations about the big themes in our space. Read the entire agenda outline here.

In the community spirit of Web of Change, we want to start having these conversations now, before the event begins, and with members of our community who can't make it to Hollyhock this year.

This week's topic: Engagement. Here's what the Fellows had to say:

Meet Joaquin Guerra: Web of Change 2011 Fellow

By Neal Bastek on 09/02/2011 - 12:43

Joaquin Guerra is the Director of New Organizing for the Campaign for Community Change. He previously served as the Campaign Director for Presente.org, where he managed campaigns that use the Internet to give their members ongoing opportunities strengthen the political voice of the Latino community, on the issues they care about.

Interact with the Agenda: Storytelling Deep Dive

By Shayna Englin on 08/30/2011 - 16:13

Agenda Anchor Sam Dorman developed an innovative agenda for WOC11, grounded in conversations about the big themes in our space. Read the entire agenda outline here.

In the community spirit of Web of Change, we want to start having these conversations now, before the event begins, and with members of our community who can't make it to Hollyhock this year.

Web of Change Highlights

Testimonials

Justin Perkins “Web of Change was a phenomenal opportunity for me to enter the world of social media. I was able to make relationships with leading players in the field, access open handed teachers, and gain invaluable insight about how the internet can apply to my work in business and finance for social change. I have met some of my favorite people in the world.”