Engagement at Web of Change 2011

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:

Charles blogs for the Knight Foundation, who's mission is to nurture informed and engaged communities. Knight sure was engaged with the Web of Change community this year, with staff and a handful of grantees in the mix.

Engagement's a tough nut to crack for certain, but we're getting there. Charles breaks it down really nicely in his post:

From this group of digital leaders working on advocacy, organizing and movement building, we wanted to know how they try to engage more people in creating change and where they saw the future of engagement headed. This video shares some of their perspectives.

And what did the Web of Change community have to say?

In short, while online petitions, social media and other digital tools figure prominently in the attendees' work, the conversations also explored aspects of engagement that technology can't easily solve.

Successful engagement, even in today's digital landscape, requires deep relationships, good listening, attention to individual needs and a patience for the right type of outcomes.

There's no doubt that the 2011 crew is thinking hard on engagement right now. Back at home putting it into practice.

As an extra bonus, Charles really captures the spirit and beauty of Hollyhock and the Web of Change journey in the background scenes of this video. A pleasant late September weekend on an island in a temperate rainforest. Nice gardens. Welcoming lodge. Boat rides. Rainbows.