Nw Network Sessions & Agenda

Monday, March 2

Northwest Network Day 1

8 - 10 a.m. Registration, Breakfast, Smith Memorial Student Union, Room 296-298 10 - 11 a.m. Monday plenary: “The “WHYs” for Using Social Media & Social Learning” Kevin Jones SMSU 296-298 Who cares WHAT social media and social learning is if we don’t know what it does for us? The WHYs are so much more important. They tell the compelling story of their use. During this session we will learn some WHYs which will, hopefully, leave you asking more questions than when you started. You will need these questions as you attend other sessions to help you focus and learn what is best for your individual situation.

11 - 12:15 a.m. Breakout sessions: ”AmeriCorps Demonstration Ning Page: Teamwork through Social Networking” Kevin Jones SMSU 296-298 In this session we will be learning about NING social sites: What they are, why they are used, how to use one and how to create a culture of using the network. Participants will also be creating a NING site for their groups. ”VISTA Web 2.0 Support Network, Part I” Amy Pothast & Erin Barnhart SMSU 236 As you settle into your role as a VISTA, you’ve probably found web resources on your own that have enhanced your ability to serve. In these backto-back sessions, you will form a group blog through Wordpress.com to share your favorite resources and learn about the resources other VISTAs use. Blending online and face-to-face environments, this is a learning and networking opportunity. In the first session, we’ll engage in an online scavenger hunt seeking out VISTA-related resources, create the blog and form small groups to gather online resources.

12:15 - 1:15 p.m. Lunch SMSU 296-298 1:15 - 3 p.m. Breakout sessions: “Podcasts & Video” Kevin Jones SMSU 296-298 In this session we will be learning about podcasts & vodcasts (Video-casts): What they are, why they are used and how to use them. Participants will also be creating their own. ”Training at a Distance - How to Use Webinars” Erich Stiefvater SMSU 238 Travel costs, scheduling, weather, and other factors make it harder to get groups together for meetings and trainings. This session will introduce you to several tools for conducting online meetings and trainings and techniques for using them effectively. “VISTA Web 2.0 Support Network Part II” Amy Pothast & Erin Barnhart SMSU 236 In this afternoon session, participant groups will add the resources they have gathered to the group blog and make short presentations showcasing the online resources that best aid VISTA service.

3 - 3:15 p.m. Break 3:15 - 5 p.m. Breakout sessions: “Online Tools for Collaborative Planning” Jerian Abel & Angela Nicholas SMSU 296-298 If a group is planning a camping trip by a string of emails, the process becomes sloppy and important messages can become lost. Imagine trying to plan a service project with members spread out across the state (or nation)! Online tools such as wiki’s, Google docs, and Google calendar can help streamline the process while encouraging participation and engagement of people at a distance. Don’t let the technology fool you. These tools are simple to use once you get the hang of it. During this session, you will have the opportunity to explore how these tools can assist your collaborative planning efforts through hands-on activities, small group work, and large group discussions. “Measuring and Monitoring with Surveys” Erich Stiefvater SMSU 238 Surveys are great tools for assessing needs, monitoring progress, and measuring success. In this session you’ll learn about tools and techniques for designing and delivering effective surveys. “Social Networking 101: Using Social Networking Sites and Tools to Find, Engage, and Communicate with Volunteers” Erin Barnhart SMSU 236 What is social networking? And why does it matter for engaging volunteers? This workshop will introduce such popular sites as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter as well as social networking tools like blogs, podcasts, videos, and online profiles. Learn more about social networking and develop strategies for how it can help you dynamically connect with and build community among new, current, and former volunteers.

Tuesday, March 3

Northwest Network, Day 2 & 3

8 - 9 a.m. Breakfast, Smith Memorial Student Union, Room 296-298 9 - 10:45 a.m. Tuesday Plenary: ”Internet Strategy for People Changing the World,” Kari Chisholm SMSU 296-298 Technology has changed everything – including how activists communicate, organize, fundraise, and mobilize. We’ll talk (briefly) about the history of technology in social change, consider the big implications for our politics and our culture, and review some of the key tools you need to know how to use.

11:00 - noon Working/Sharing Session: Meet the Presenters, Discuss Tools You Love, Hear Stories from Other Programs SMSU 296-298

noon - 1 p.m. Lunch, SMSU 296-298 1:15 - 3 p.m. Breakout sessions: “Blogging, RSS, Twitter & Social Bookmarking,” Kevin Jones SMSU 296-298 In this session we will be learning about Blogs, RSS, Twitter, & Social Bookmarking. We will learn how to effectively use them for learning and communication. Participants will also be creating their own blogs, RSS feeds, Twitter and bookmarking accounts. “Team Reflection in the 21st Century” Richard Melo SMSU 238 Reflection is like the punctuation at the end of a sentence. It provides closure and perspective and is crucial to members looking back on their service as a positive, learning experience. This session will look at formal and informal reflection in a national service team environment and suggest ways that a group blog can help members create lasting impressions of their service. “Blogging to Meet New People Who Care about the Issues You Do” Amy Pothast SMSU 236 Blogging and micro-blogging are ways to develop relevant content, educate yourself about your field, and meet new people who care about the same issues you do. This workshop will introduce you to ways to use a professional blog for networking purposes, how to find and keep track of relevant blogs you want to read, and how to use Twitter for your service term and beyond.

3 - 3:15 p.m. Break 3:15 - 4:30 Closing Plenary: “Now That We Have Learned About It, Where Do We Go From Here” Kevin Jones SMSU 296-298

Wednesday, March 4, 2009 Oregon & Washington State Meetings 9 - 11 a.m. “Discussion of the Direction of National Service” SMSU 296-298 11 - noon. State Meetings: Oregon State Meeting in SMSU 296 & Washington State Meeting in SMSU 236 noon - 1 p.m. Lunch (in breakout rooms) 1-3:00 p.m. State Meetings continued: Oregon in SMSU 296 & Washington in SMSU 236

VISTA IST 8 - 9 a.m. Breakfast SMSU 296-298 9 - noon “Effective Communication and Situational Leadership” Tanya Pluth SMSU 238 noon - 1 p.m. Lunch (in breakout room, 238) 1 - 2:30 p.m. “Living on a VISTA Budget” Angie Harbin SMSU 238 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. “Education Award” Richard Melo SMSU 238