We had a 501 Tech Club meeting here in Portland this week, where we spent a lot of time talking about video. It seems some groups are really starting to get interested in all of the ways they can use video to tell their stories and inspire action. One performance group was interested in live-streaming their performances. Another wanted to get their event fundraising teams to take video of their experiences as they prepared for the big event.

Last week, I had the great pleasure of speaking at the 2.0 nonprofit event in Washington DC, which was hosted by Idealist and the National Human Services Assembly. (NTEN community participant Jon Camfield has some good notes from the event.)

The fine folks at Google were big sponsors of the event, hosting us all at their DC offices on the first day for a tour of Google services and their nonprofit programs. They had lots of staff on hand throughout the program, which is how I met Ramya. She's the new Nonprofits and Activism Manager at YouTube. She'll be working in the YouTube Nonprofit Program.

You can learn more about Ramya on her channel at http://www.youtube.com/agentchange. You can also send your thoughts, opinions, ideas or examples of brilliant uses of YouTube to her at agentchange@youtube.com.

Did you miss one of the plenaries or want to relive Holly's take on the Oscar Mayer theme song? A big thanks to Stacey Laiderman, See3 Communications, for helping create these video clips of the 08NTC Plenaries.

Video ContestNTEN and See3 are once again hosting a video contest as part of the NTC. The 2nd Annual DoGooderTV Nonprofit Video Awards is underway, and nonprofits can submit their videos now!

The theme of this year's contest is From the Ground Up: Using Technology to Engage Constituents and Make the World a Better Place. The goal of the contest is to highlight the work of nonprofit organizations and to spread the word about the creative ways they employ media to bring about social change.

Last year's winner, "Stop the Clash of Civilizations" from Avaaz,  received a standing ovation when played at the conference.

Entries will be accepted until February 15, 2008, at which time finalists will be determined. The finalists will be shown on www.DoGooder.tv beginning March 1, 2008; individuals will be able to vote on their favorite entry through March 20, 2008. For complete contest rules and to submit or view videos, see:

http://nten.org/ntc-video

Try as I might to keep up with the coolest and the greatest, it's you folks who give me the best tips!

Today I got a Facebook message from Alnissa Allgood tipping me off to a great new movement on YouTube: '07 Project for Awesome.

The first reason I love Project for Awesome: who could possibly be anti-awesome? It's like being against education. I am definitely pro-awesome.

The second reason I love Project for Awesome: it's a fine example of videos-for -a-cause done right. If you want to know how your organization should be using YouTube, look no further than Project for Awesome.

Some quick lessons you can learn from these guys:

• It doesn't have to be expensive to be awesome. They're using run of the mill cameras in their living rooms and doing very little editing. It's what they say and how they say it that matters.
• Their tone is perfect for the YouTube audience. If you don't talk like these guys, don't worry -- but find someone who does.
• The ask is easy and clear. They aren't out to raise a million dollars or save lives. They are out to take over the YouTube most popular section, and they tell their audience how to make that happen. And it's working. Look how many of their videos are in the most popular list!

Are these guys changing the world? I don't know. Are they capturing attention that may inspire action. Absolutely. And that's always the first step.

A monthly podcast about a few good tools you should know! If you're like me, you're always on the hunt for the one little thing that will help you get through your to-do list a little faster, or make your work a little bit better. That's what this podcast is all about!

This month, Marshall Kirkpatrick, Director of Content at Splashcast Media tells us about:

• Del.icio.us TagRolls
• FeedDigest (see also FeedRinse)
• BlogRovr
• Google Co-Op Custom Search featuring Marshall's Magic Search
• NetNewsWire and FeedDemon desktop RSS readers
• Beth Kanter's blog and screencast
• Splashcast Facebook application
• Rep. George Miller's AskGeorge Facebook application and the RocketBoom app
• Marshall's personal blog
  

Cool Tools Ep. 1

Once a month or so, I'm lucky enough to catch a few minutes with my favorite technology prognosticator, Marshall Kirkpatrick, Director of Content at Splashcast Media. During each visit, Marshall shares with us the tools and tips that no one can live without. This month, Marshall offered up 6 tools that any nonprofit can use today.

Check out this video podcast to learn more about:

• Adium (for Mac) and Trillian (for Windows): Muti-client IM software.
• Twitterific: a desktop application for Twitter
• URLTea: a very useful URL shortener
• Ustream.tv: Live streaming video
• memeorandum: a political discussion agregator

Global Giving LogoNTEN community members Global Giving are having a video contest of their own. So - Watch. Vote. Give.

Are you interested in being a part of global change at the local level? Have you ever wanted to use art to communicate something really meaningful to you? The GlobalGiving FilmFest: Watch, Vote, Give is the perfect opportunity to bring to life the story of a high-impact, grassroots project. The projects will provide the footage, you provide the creativity.

People around the world are changing lives every day through their community-focused health, environmental and human rights projects. We need to share these stories and get them the support they need to continue their work. Sign up to be a film-maker now at www.globalgiving.com/filmfest.

Project footage will be available May 3rd (sign up now, and we’ll send you an email when it’s live). Video submissions will be voted on by the general public – the top three voted film-makers will receive prizes.

 

We’ve selected the finalist videos in the NTC Video Contest, and now it’s time for you to pick the winner!

Go to DoGooderTV to watch the finalist videos. Once you’ve decided on your favorite, vote online or text in your vote.

We received so many creative, well done, and powerful videos – thank you to everyone who submitted one. It was great to see the amazing work nonprofits are doing with video to spread their messages and mobilize people to act for social change.

For more videos, check out some of our favorites that didn’t make the top six. And stop by Movie Night at the NTC to see them all on the big screen.

Go ahead, and put the final touches on your entries for the NTC Video Contest! All submissions are due by midnight on Sunday, March 11.

Do you have videos on YouTube or other video hosting sites that urge people to take action for social change? Submit them now to enter the video contest. Have you been pondering an idea for a short video that will advance a cause you support? Here’s your chance to bring it to a larger audience. Finalist videos will be aired at the Nonprofit Technology Conference and the grand prize winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2008 NTC in New Orleans! Find out more about the NTC Video Contest and how you can participate.