Two exciting and not-to-be-missed events are approaching in June: Social Tech Training and MagNet.

The first — from the people behind Web of Change — is Toronto’s very first Social Tech Training at MaRS. read more »

Photo of Kirsten Jordan (Taking IT Global) and Andres Dussan (Askoka) by Michael Lewkowitz

How often have you sought to answer questions like “how can new technologies support social change that has impact, durability and scale?” or “is it possible to foster collaboration, sharing, and even co-development of technology solutions rather than everyone building their own or working in isolation?” Well, last week, I was surprised to find myself in a room with some of Canada’s brightest minds when it comes to social innovation and social technology (that is: technology in support of social innovation). We gathered early in the morning on July 26th at MaRS to do some brainstorming on how best to support innovative organizations to leverage appropriate technology, execute technology projects successfully, and how to build capacity for ongoing innovation and sustainable technology operations. read more »

Got a great note last week from Nick Moraitis about the launch of Social Tech Brewing in Australia. The first event is set for later this week in Sydney, then moving to Melbourne in the coming months. I met Nick when he was here in Toronto working with Taking IT Global and we kicked around some ideas about successful community-led events — thought I’d quickly recount them here: read more »

After a year of writing several briefs and one, exceptionally large (by my standards), report for the Ministry of Citizenship — I can firmly say that I now know more than I ever dreamt I would know on the topic of successful non-profit technology initiatives. Add to that my own experience over the past few years and you’ve got a lot of blog posts. So here’s the first… Let’s call it the Canadian non-profit technology assistance manifesto. And why does Canada need a manifesto for non-profit technology assistance? Simple: because successful, sustainable, long-term, and hands-on information technology support for most Canadian non-profits simple doesn’t exist in Canada as it does in the US and elsewhere in the world. So, based on my experience, what does Canada need? I’m glad you asked — here’s what I think Canada needs:  read more »