06/09/03 2003 Webby Award For Activism: Act For Change

[admin]

2003 Webby Award For Activism: ActForChange


Webby awards are given to outstanding websites by category. They are selected by a group of recognized experts in the field of web communications. This year’s award for activism went to Act For Change. Act For Change is website dedicated to online activism.

The site makes it very easy for individuals to participate in activist activities by providing links to online activist activities on a wide range of social causes.

CyberActivist.US takes a different approach. Our focus is on a single activity, the federal regulatory machine. We see our role as providing our readers with up-to-date information on the most significant and precedent setting actions in the world of regulations. However, we do not suggest, nor provide, links to the various organizations for using the information we provide; nor do we recommend a position or provide "canned" messages.
We have informed readers--they are capable of making up their
own minds given the facts.

For each category, the Webby Awards Board also asked the public to vote on their favorite nominee. The "Peoples Choice" vote went to "Greenpeace". So does our vote, not because we necessarily agree with all their opinions but because they are very effective.

Click here for ActForChange (http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/aboutactivism.cfm)

Click here for Webby Awards (http://www.webbyawards.com/main/webby_awards/nominees.html)

[johnshaw]

ActForChange does have an interesting web site. There are many similar sites, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), National Audubon Society, and other environment organizations as well as business related organizations such as the Western Business Roundtable. The Outdoor Industry Association (representing 1,100 gear and clothing manufacturers) joins with the non-profit environment organizations in their advocacy for wilderness protection.

Most of these are single issue advocacies that promote a few related causes through campaigns most often directed at Congress but sometimes directed at regulatory agencies, businesses, or the press. Most of the web sites provide a form that will allow the user to send a canned (sometime modifiable by the user) message to the target. When the target is regulatory agencies the site can often submit the message directly to the appropriate rulemaking docket.

These organizations, and their web sites, serve their constituencies by allowing them to easily communicate to the appropriate decision makers. Many of the users would not have the time to read the related documents (e.g. NPRM, existing rules, enabling law, and other comments). However, some people would be able to, but instead might just send the canned message. I question the effectiveness of a short canned message that simply states “motherhood” opinions with no depth or analysis of the issues. (Who doesn’t favor saving whales, saving forests, and saving jobs?).

While 10,000 “save the cute animals” messages are better than none, the number of such messages are a better measure of the ability of the organization than a measure of public sentiment.

I think that a site that educates the user in the details of the issue, particularly in comments sought by the NPRM, and allows the user to comment, in his own words, to the individual issues, would better serve the supporters and members of advocacy organizations.