April 2009 Archives

Recently I had the opportunity to present on Web2.0 at the National Parks and Recreation Assocation's Legislative Forum in Washington DC.  Specifically, my session was a primer on how the NRPA's membership could use these new technology methods as advocacy tools to help further their missions.  During my research in advance of the session, I had a very enlightening "duh" moment that I thought might be helpful to those struggling to find the resources needed to dive into 2.0.

Parks and Recreation, Libraries and other direct service departments develop programs and provide services focused on very specific segments of the population - summer camps for school-aged children, themed travel opportunities for seniors, storytimes for preschoolers, etc.  These types of departments are often some of the early adopters of Web2.0 tools, but frequently they face issues of limited resources and more recently, shrinking budgets for non-essential services.  However, these agencies have a leg-up when it comes to providing new services via Web2.0.  These departments frequently have very active teen programs aimed at giving teens safe and productive recreation and social opportunities.  We need to be capitalizing on the talent and the volunteer opportunities that are right on our doorstep with these teens!  

I recently had dinner with a fellow govt 2.0 evangelist and her 21-year-old daughter.  We were prepping for a presentation on 2.0 and I asked her daughter what she thought about all the tools we were discussing and whether or not she used them.  Never in my 36 years did I feel more ancient than when she said my beloved Twitter was for "old people".  No wait, that's not true. When American Idol recently had the theme of Songs from the Year You Were Born and they were singing songs from my early high-school days I got that same kick-to-the-gut feeling.  You know - the one where you can actually feel your hair graying? Bah!

The point is, these teens and early twentysomethings are already doing social networks, instant messaging and the like.  The tools we struggle to understand are "so yesterday" to them.  We've got to remember that our digital natives (8-28 year olds) grew up with technology as a given.  As these digital natives enter the workforce, the cultures of organizations shift and there is a massive blur between work and leisure.  Connectedness and instant search and communication capabilities are assumed.  The technology becomes consumable and distributed content administration becomes sanctioned and preferred. They live and breathe in a culture that we are still trying to comprehend.

So why not tap into their skills and their subject matter interest in order to help us with our organization's migration to 2.0?  Try some experimental efforts focused around a cause, an initiative or a program that the teens can get behind because they care about the outcome.  We can cultivate our very own cool communications cadre who are passionate about their subject matter.  They get the tools AND they get the message!  The simple formula goes something like this: give them a little bit of guidance, a few parameters and then get the H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS outta the way and let them go to town!  

Sounds like a win, win, win situation to me.  You put their interests to work, you get a 2.0 initiative underway and they get experience in a real-life work environment that will look great on a resume or college application. And don't forget that getting them to participate in these projects will give your message much more street cred and viral marketing capability than it would if it was just some sad, sterile govspeak propaganda coming down from "the man".  

Below are just a few real world examples to ponder and perhaps emulate.  These projects were all either created directly by teens or teens feedback and involvement has helped shape their current value and form. Check 'em out and let the creative juices flow!

The public library in Homer Glen, IL works with its Teen Advisory Group to set up an del.icio.us account where teens can collect and share web sites of interest as well as web sites to assist with completing homework assignments. Teens hone reading, web searching and critical thinking skills as they evaluate which sites to include on their del.icio.us account. 

Hampton, VA has a dedicated Web site focused on teen activities and services at www.areyouinthegame.com.  Additionally, they have augmented their online presence with a Facebook page that is maintained by teen volunteers under direction of their Youth Coordinator.

According to their Myspace page, "Camp Inferno is a week-long camp where young women, ages 15-19, get to experience the physical and mental rush it takes to be a firefighter." The page is coordinated via the Overland Park FD, but a visit to the page reveals that a community has sprung up amongst former camp attendees. By getting into MySpace, OPFD has clearly recognized and bridged the gap between the bureaucracy of a typical government Website and today's teens.