Jennifer Connelly in charity: water Public Service Announcement from Twestival…
History has this way of allowing us to pause and look back at pivotal events that evolved a movement, defined a societal norm, shaped a lifestyle.
February 12, 2009, one such event will prove the day technological phenomenon of social media is recognized as capable of healing the ills of humanity.
What is this event? The Twestival: a global “tweet up“: 185 twitter meet-ups over the span of 24 hours to raise $500,000 for Charity: Water, the actualized vision of Scott Harrison‘s to ensure accessibility to clean drinking water worldwide.
The precedent part: Never before have we seen this large of a global fundraiser promoted by advocates and users of social media:
- 100% organized by volunteers.
- 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Charity:Water. (goal:$500k)
- 185 cities
Take a quick view of the Twestival founder’s vision:
“Twestival was born out of the idea that if cities were able to collaborate on an international scale, but working from a local level, it could have a spectacular impact.
By rallying together globally, under short timescales, for a single aim on the same day, the Twestival hopes to bring awareness to this global crisis….
It is proven from the first Twestival that bringing the Twittersphere together for a special event is not only a memorable night; it has momentum to bring about social change.”
For two months I’ve witnessed, participated, and blogged about impact of microblogging on twitter for charitable good with awe inspiring results:
- 3 hours after Bob Collins and Beth Kanter rally Boston Social Media Breakfast Group’s twitter networks to comment on Tyson Food’s blog, Tyson agrees to donate 700,000 pounds of protein — two semi truck loads full — for Greater Boston Food Bank
- 48 hours after Dave Armano turns to his twitter network, $16k is raised to house Daniela and her children.
- In one month, Laura Fitton’s @wellwishes campaign raises $25k for Charity:Water.
And I’m sure if I was to tweet “Tell me about microfunding campaigns you’re aware of using social media” people would tell of another 2 dozen stories. So the ability to use social media for social good isn’t new.
What’s unique and significant to me about Twestival is the volume, the scope, the potential.
Pause and consider with me again: 185 events, 24 hours, a global fundraising endeavor, sustained by 100% volunteer effort, livestreamed.
That makes this blogger go more than ‘hmmmm.’
It awes me. Astounds me. Empowers me. Inspires me.
This is literally fascinating: because as ingenius as it seems, it just makes sense: use the power of social media for social good.
Note to reader: If you already use twitter, skip the next 2 paragraphs:
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Some minor background: Twitter is a free microblogging tool anyone can use. Messages or tweets are 140 characters long and you can output whatever information you wish to. Simultaneously you can follow other twitter users, read and retweet their tweets, and respond to as tweets as you choose. It’s a constant conversation of ouput/input and sharing and for me the most effective listening device on the web.
Tweet ups have gathered twitter users together ever since twitter launched. Social get togethers for tweeples (twitter users and their friends). Think fan clubs with a twist of fascination with technology, passion for social networking, and determination.
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After learning of Twestival and reading Beth Kanter’s Here Comes Everybody and her followup, I wanted to take a walk around the world and chat with local Twestival organizers and find out what they’re doing.
First stop: Boston Twestival with host Justin Whitaker. (Thanks, Justin, for giving up your entire lunch hour to speak with me).
Employed by State Street Corporation within their hybrid marketing tech group, Justin agreed to take on the planning of Boston’s twestival per a tweet request from Amanda Rose (@amanda), one of Twestival’s founders, with whom he friended on twitter months prior. He’d already organized a successful tweet up last December and valued the purpose of Twestival. Though his experiences working for or with non-profits is slight, Justin is determined to make Boston’s Twestival a success.
“Gimme a targeted audience with a specific goal and show me an organization I can trust, I’m in. With Twestivals, anyone knows donate to this reputable organization–Charity:Water and your money will help build a well in Africa.”
Justin and the Boston twestival team (including @CMajor, @girlgamy, @mdurwin, @vanhoosear) agree their biggest stumbling block thus far: securing a Boston venue who’d agree to comp the overhead. Whether night club or hotel, Boston’s event sites were either booked or asking a hefty rental fee.
And then came Om–a venue in Cambridge–already on Twitter, fully supportive of hosting Twestival, fully aware of the opportunity for their own publicity. They’ve donated venue space, dj, and manpower.
Additional sponsors include:Online customer service outsourcing company Zendesk to cover the bar tab, openSUSE to provide schwag, and Shift Communications.
Pending additional sponsors, Justin anticipates offering raffles and door prizes. “With potential sponsors, we’ve been pushing two things: first the accessibility for PR: This is an unprecedented global event. Look at the coverage you’ll receive. And it’s for clean water. For Charity:Water.”
He sees folks’ participation as dually motivated: come out to raise money for a good cause and meet the folks you tweet with week to week.
Tickets for Boston Twestival are priced at $25 and available online at Boston Twestival’s homepage.
So no matter if you’re already on twitter, want to learn about it, or simply want to take part in social media history, decide now to twestival.
- Go to twestival.com and read about the event
- Find your city’s host, contact him/her, and get involved
- Stream, download music and donate on twestival.fm
- Watch livestream.
- Learn the twitter song and sing along 🙂
You don’t want to miss out on knowing about this event, why it’s happening, and what it represents for the use of social media as an effective tool for helping mobilize philanthropic efforts to eradicate the ills of humanity.
Five years from now, they’re not going to ask you “Did you attend a twestival?”
They’re going to ask: “Which twestival did you attend?”
It’s that big. And that pivotal.
charity: water promo featuring “Time Bomb” by Beck from charity: water on Vimeo.
Be a part of social media history: Twestival, February 12, 2009.