Monthly Archive for January, 2009
A major theme emerged in our discussion on public media last night – because of the collapse of traditional news media, innovators across the globe have entered a phase of intense experimentation to find a new model that can support the serious reporting necessary for democracy. Many of these experiments are grassroots, lead by innovators working on the fringe of the media establishment.
The projects presented last night are part of this broader movement, which is being fueled by frustrated journalists, new technologies, and social sector seed funding (grants, individual donations, friends and family capital).
Before I outline the projects, let’s be clear about the sources and magnitude of the problem. There are three major causes, according to Michael Stoll from Public Press:
Continue reading ‘San Francisco, Abundance League Public Media Edition – Meeting Notes’
We all know travel can be transformative. A great stretch of road, a deserted beach, unfamiliar food and customs, that guy or gal in the bar…these have the power to change us.
But what if you used travel on purpose to be transformative? What if you could design an adventure to change your life and the lives of others?
Traveling on purpose is changing the world of travel and personal development. It involves journeying to gain skills and experiences, hiking through landscapes that are different and demanding, working on a big project to increase your contribution to the world, and forming a community to support your growth. The convergence of adventure travel, personal development, and community building doesn’t need to be expensive or take you far away from home. You can design your own big project adventure close to home with friends and family.
Our speakers this month are Elizabeth Becker, principal of Becker & Company Consulting, a go-to-market strategy firm, and leader of The Machu Picchu Leadership Adventure; and Todd Sotkiewicz , general manager of Lonely Planet and a world traveler. Continue reading ‘SF, You’re Invited: Traveling on Purpose to Change Your World’
We had a great meeting last week with a dozen of us gathered to discuss what we felt was good in our lives last year and what we hope to do in 2009. Susan led a group activity for folks to meet with each other and share 2008 accomplishments and their personal impacts, and then individuals took turns sharing with the group passions for 2009 as well as announcements for current projects coming to fruition. It was inspiring to hear how much everyone had done in 2008, and we look forward to continuing to support each other’s needs as we explore our passions and carry out our 2009 projects.
Fittingly, we came across the following thoughts on our hidden passions from The Daily OM, and how we might revive them in the new year:
Nothing can fill the emptiness that remains in a space vacated by a passion that we have tossed aside. Besides, life is too short to stop doing what you love, and it is never too late to rediscover your favorite things. If you gave up playing an instrument, painting, drawing, spending time in nature, or any other activity or interest that you once loved to do, now may be the time to take up that passion again.
Read the whole piece It’s Never Too Late on the Daily OM ».
Below is a collection of what is coming up for people so far in 2009 in the way of announcements: Continue reading ‘Denver: Notes from the January Confluence’
The Abundance League meets this coming Tuesday, January 13 at a location to be determined the Market in Larimer Square. This month we take our inspiration from Janus:
“In Roman mythology, Janus (or Ianus) was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings and endings. His most prominent remnants in modern culture are his namesakes: the month of January, which begins the new year, and the janitor, who is a caretaker of doors and halls.”
—Wikipedia
Like Janus, we will take time to look back over 2008, then look ahead to our aspirations for 2009. It will be a slightly different format than you may be used to, but deeply in the spirit of abundance. Come prepared to do some fun exercises with your fellow tALers and be surprised by what you find.
In the other spirit of Janus, we have a little housekeeping to cover. This year 2009 will bring some changes in our structure. Continue reading ‘Denver, You’re Invited: Tu 1/13 6:30 pm – Affirmations for the New Year (at the Market)’
Public media is in crisis. Newsrooms across the nation are cutting hard news staff to the bone. An independent press, which can hold government and business accountable with hard hitting coverage, is at risk posing a serious threat to our democracy.
However, three San Francisco journalist have launched social enterprises to help turn the tide. This month we hold a panel discussion about the future of public media and learn about the bold solutions that are leading the way. Our panelist this month:
- Michael Stoll, founder of The Public Press, a nonprofit startup that will provide noncommercial public interest news for the Bay Area.
- Josh Wilson, founder of Newsdesk.org, a nonprofit which collates and produces reporting on important but overlooked news from around the world.
- Kara Andrade, of Spot.us, a nonprofit startup that enables citizens and reporters to crowdfund investigative reporting through an innovative online platform.
While separate initiatives, collaboration brings them together in true Abundance League style. Newsdesk and The Public Press co-produced the The Truthiness Report and funded it using Spot.us. The Spot.us community raised $2,500 for the series which fact checked San Francisco election ads. The Truthiness Report was Spot.us’ first funded project. Continue reading ‘San Francisco: Abundance League Public Media Edition – Thurs. 1/15 @ 6:00pm’
