#zaCSO and a kudos to Uthango

//for a change I’m talking about work on this blog today//

Today, I had the honour and privilege to attend this

Termed #digitalnomads, #zaCSO the ability to learn and hear about interesting ways to harness social media for their particular cause or area of interest. Coming in with real-life applications, true success stories and useful tips, the Uthango team put together a programme that is not only inspiring but, also practical.

I know that I am privileged enough to have good backing in terms of management at HIV-911 and I am able to, what we call, “go exploring”.

But, the truth is that, real interactions that have become real products and true partnerships have happened through our social media presence and foray into online networking. And in a sector that is sometimes scared or unsure of how to handle social media, it’s brilliant to know that organisations like Uthango, and my friend and inspirational man, Marlon Parker, are truly enabling organisations to discover and learn about social media, through their initiatives to empower the non-profit sector to engage in social  media.

It makes me happy to know that things are happening in this space. The personal, yet professional space. I had always said, for years, that the personal is the professional. And the personal is real. The personal is what truly matters to me and, being able to take the organisation I work for during the day and have it be present in a space that is interactive, is just so very empowering.

I’m proud to be part of this community. Excited that it enables and does not frown upon failure. In fact, the power of failure is one of the key lessons I took away today. I know that Cath Luckhoff recently attended a workshop on the power of failure, and found it empowering and inspirational. Being humble, being  real…being authentic and responsive is key.

I had the pleasure of finally meeting the infamous powerhouse Dave Duarte, who think may now think I am a complete madperson. And I am okay with that. Heh. I got to share our experiences, as HIV-911, in the mobile and social media space.

It’s nice to know we kinda get it.

I learnt alot today. Something that I haven’t really paid attention to is SecondLife. And I will, as a result of today’s presentations, be looking in to the sphere of Virtual Worlds, and not just from my own history as a girlgamer.

A big thanks to Karin Veltman, Jack Kruger, Dave Duarte, Dorette Steenkamp and Erna Sittig for a good day.

It’s a Friday that’s left me inspired. Thank you.

i loved

being here today.

 

thank you.

i may

throw a seismic shitfit today.

 

Correction for WebAddict

Sunday 25 October 2009

Rafiq made an error this morning, talking about HIV-911

I  immediately contacted Rafiq as I am the IT Manager for HIV-911

To correct:

We make all our database information freely available to everyone. The only time we charge is when a printed directory is ordered – this is to cover printing costs.

All organisations, public health facilities and doctors receive a free copy of their provincial directory and our referral services telephonically operate on a ShareCall number, and we make our entire database searchable for free via our website. We are also embarking on a variety of mobile projects to further enable empowering access to the HIV-911 database information

Rafiq has since amended the post and updated it with correct information.

The lesson here is to always be clear, and make sure that you’ve checked your facts – I learnt something today and I know alot of people did too.

I have closed comments on this topic as it’s a work matter and this is my personal blog.

Oh, If Only

Yes, They’re Doing It

Wow. What a whirlwind, wonderful week, hey?

It started with the Sheena Surprise lowdown…

Then work got really hectic and very exciting.

Then we presented to 200 rowdy, hormonal, brilliant high school boys.

Then came the 27dinner in Durban last night. If I could draw a heart aroud each person’s name who was there last night, I would. Thank you.

And this morning, this morning my latest article on Parent24 went live. It’s here.

I think I’m allowed a quiet weekend, yes?

Random Friday Facts

• My hair is falling out. This has happened a few times in my life – once when I was pregnant (I AM NOT PREGNANT EVERYBODY CALM DOWN), once when I was breastfeeding (as unsuccessful as that was, and no, I am not breastfeeding, everyone calm down…) and a few times throughout life when I’m stressed. Truth? I’m not going bald. Truth? I can do nothing about it but wait it out and yes, it currently looks a little like Beetlejuice. Truth? It will improve soon, as it always does and last truth? I’m not gonna go bald so, everyone calm down.
• so why the stress? Truth? Have a lot on my plate workwise. This too shall pass and I will become less of errant blogger. Yes, you can calm down too audience of 12, I will be less sporadic and more garrulous soon, I think. It’s all good though, and worth it.
• Life is good otherwise. Spending a lot of time in front of this lil computer but, it’s okay. No further fish have kicked the bucket (shoo) and we are but two weeks away from my little Cam turning four.
• Yes, four. Okay, I’ll calm down now. Dudes, I remember BEING four. Cam and I have the same hair at that age. (here’s just hoping she doesn’t have my hair at 28 going on 29). I even remember my 4th birthday. I can still smell the provitas with marmite at school, and those big round biscuits I would stick my finger on to claim. (more on that one day but, let’s just say, I like putting my finger on my biscuit!)
• I am surrounded in my life by very clever, very funny and very beautiful people. I know, I say that alot. Because it’s true. Deal with it.
• My youngest niece will soon turn one. where the hang is the time going people?
• I will soon enter the last year of my twenties. Cam says I can turn 23 on my next birthday. I think I like her calendar more than my real life one.
• SARS have completely bunged up my tax return. It’s still not processed! I have to resubmit last years one next week. I mean, seriously dudes. Is it not interesting that it’s the one year that I actually have a bigger than usual rebate due to me? coincidence?
• Some pretty exciting things on the horizon. more on that one day soon.
• Late last night, Seh called me up to ask me to be her bridesmaid.  one of my hugest defenders, am really so honoured. Am trying to stave off the cookie urges and grow this hair in preparation.
• On that note though, little mini-Seh is also turning one soon. WHERE THE HELL IS THE TIME GOING PEOPLE? Is there a time hobbit munching his way through the calendar? Seriously, catch that bloke, string him up and call him names.
• Oh, and by the way, PCT. grin.

Caring Light – Can you Help?

I received this email today. The second of it’s type this week.

Are you in Cape Town? Can you help?

Dear Friends

This note serves to inform you that we (Caring Light) after five years, have lost our training centre due to it having been sold by the owner.

By implication the following has had to be done:

• Jim, who has lived in the training centre has had to find alternative accommodation and has moved.
• The said flat does have a lockup garage and will be used to store all moveable assets such as training equipment, tables, chairs, crockery and coffins owned by Caring Light.
• The training centre is being vacated on Thursday 1st April (sadly no April fool’s joke)
• The email address will remain the same
• The website will be updated with reference to the training centre
• The land line number 021 9492939 will taken over by the owner and will not relate to Caring Light
• The cell number will remain the same: 0834369363
• The postal address will remain the same for now PO Box 2710 Durbanville 7551,  in due course this will also change and when it does, you will also be informed of this.
• No funds remain in the Caring Light account to find alternative rental space to continue our training programmes.
• Every effort will be made to source other possible venues which we could possibly share with other NGO’s

With appreciation and Blessings

Jim

Want to know more about Caring Light?  See here or contact  Jim please.

Thanks peeps. It breaks my heart that this is happening all over. SUCH good work, life-saving in fact, and now it’s coming to an end.

something you can do…

You know how I keep running off to the middle of nowhere to work on a mobile phone project?

Well, now you can read about it here: Inkanyezi Mobile Services Network

And vote it up please!

and it’s official.

Happiness. I can talk about it now.

Thank you for the warmest welcome of ever.