What You Can Do
Adapted from the Snelling Center for Government's Leadership in a Connected Age project.
- Learn the basics. CVU Access and Burlington School District workshops can teach you the basics about computers, digital cameras, the Internet and website design. The Burlington Housing Authority Technology Center offers residents free computer access and training.
- Get Connected. Visit the website of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority to learn about Internet and mobile phone connectivity in your area.
- Join the Front Porch Forum. Connect with neighbors to borrow a tool, discuss an issue or share your garden harvest.
- Visit your community's website to find out about events, municipal meetings and recreation programs.
- Stay informed about the latest local news. Newspapers such as the Burlington Free Press and Seven Days have interactive websites in addition to their print editions. Also, websites for your favorite TV and radio stations often enable you to watch or listen to shows online.
- Read a blog. Blogs provide you with news, opinions and links to resources that help you understand the complex issues facing Vermonters. Blogs such as Green Mountain Daily, VT Digger, Vermont Tiger and Vermont Daily Briefing also have links to other Vermont blogs.
- Watch public meetings online. The Center for Media and Democracy (CCTV), Regional Educational Technology Network (RETN) and Vermont Community Access Media (VCAM) offer coverage of public meetings and locally produced programs from around the county.
- Produce your own video. The Center for Media and Democracy and Vermont Community Access Media can provide you with the training and equipment to produce video for TV or online.
- Join FaceBook, Twitter or another social media network. Connect with old or new friends, join or organize a group to promote social change. Mashable is a great resource to help you learn how these new tools are being used.
- Be a part of your children's online experience. See how your kids are using the Internet and social media to learn and connect with their friends. IKeepSafe has resources to ensure they are using them in a safe and appropriate manner - and you'll learn some new tips along the way.
- Check out the library. Librarians are on the front lines of the digital revolution. Most libraries offer use of computers to access the Internet. Burlington's Fletcher Free Library offers computer access and classes. Vermont librarian/tech blogger Jessamyn West shares her insights on her blog, Librarian.net. The Vermont Department of Libraries brought us 23 Things, a Web 2.0 teaching tool. Many Vermont libraries now offer online catalogs and online database access. The New York Public Library has a really good digital gallery.
- Serve your community. Help a neighbor learn to use email or apply for a job online. Or volunteer to teach computer skills at a local senior center or social services organization.
- Participate in the media mavens lunch meetings. The Center on Media and Democracy hosts regular meetings on topics such as increasing your website's traffic or using online video to engage potential supporters.
- Read "Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations." by Clay Shirky. He walks the reader through successes and failures in the digital age with important civic implications. If you find yourself disparaging Wikipedia, lamenting the loss of community as people spend more time online, or yearning to be a 21st century activist, this is an important read.
- Test drive a tool. No matter your experience level, there are always new things to try on the web. Collaborate on a document or spreadsheet using Google Docs or the promising new DropBox, share bookmarks on Delicious.
- Be a leader. The Snelling Center for Government and Champlain College Workforce Development Center teamed up to offer a workshop series entitled "Leadership in a Connected Age" in Spring 2009. For a more comprehensive leadership development program, consider the Vermont Leadership Institute or the Vermont School Leadership Project.
- Learn about state government. The Vermont Legislature website informs citizens about state government by supplying contact information for legislators, up-to-date information about bills and issues, and even live audio streaming of the House and Senate proceedings.
