Report from Mallory Knodel
National Technology Coordinator for the US Social Forum (USSF)
January 1 - 31, 2010

Focused on building a core organizing team for Detroit Expanded (Dex), created email list, held and moderated first conference call. The group planned an agenda item during the National Planning Committee (NPC) meeting in Albuquerque, NM, however during the weekend meetings it was determined that differences in vision for Dex were too great for a cohesive presentation and discussion with the NPC. It was determined, however, that Dex be included in the local, community-based outreach website "the ABCs of the USSF" as the "D". Also, funding has been requested through the local Detroit grants. The request is as follows:

Detroit Expanded: Movement organizers are beginning to connect their movements globally with help of the Internet. Two-way collaboration has begun within the Social Forum with “Expanded” formats, such as video conferencing, streaming, and collaborative software. The computer equipment and training received by volunteers and Detroit organizers will stay behind as permanent fixtures within the Bookstore, Organization Hub, and other locations. The collaboration that is involved in linking simultaneous events across the globe builds enduring networks throughout the months-long process of outreach and organizing work. The Detroit Expanded team will ensure that 30 - 60 expanded events will converge on Detroit territory with the potential to mobilize 1,000 - 10,000 active participants from around the United States and world. This project directly addresses issues of access: access to the Internet by placing community-shared equipment in common spaces, and access to forum space by allowing participation and collaboration without travel costs.
Funds needed: $10,000 – 15,000
Volunteers needed: 10 per day (during forum)

Early in the month, I worked with Information, Communication, and Technology working group (ICT) to sync my planned timeline and schedule with that of the ICT working group. This was published online and presented to the Organizing Committee (OC) during the Albuquerque meetings. The full schedule can be found at http://ict.ussf2010.org/wiki/big-picture.

My attendance at the OC, NPC, and smaller working group meetings in Albuquerque, NM included several informal opportunities for collaboration in working groups, teams, and committees during which I was a representative of the ICT working group and May First/People Link. Additionally, I formally presented a discussion as part of the International Solidarity Team (IST) to the NPC and coordinated a wiki training.

Organizing NYC towards the USSF by beginning a Book Club at Bluestockings Bookstore. Also organizing other bookstores throughout the country to participate in a reading list, discussion forum, and general working-group focused mobilizations of communities across the nation. Five meetings have been scheduled in New York, one secured as a Detroit Expanded event during the forum, and the final event being a report-back after Detroit. Organizing for a "De-industrialized Zones Caravan" and NYC People's Movement Assembly, along with at least one large NYC-wide fundraising event have begun. Many other regional organizations continue to mobilize individually or separately from this process in Manhattan.

Collaboration between ICT and Communications/Media is required to move the on-site and online media center forward. I have facilitated online communication by creating an email list and sending outreach emails. Adele Nieves and I have organized a large conference call for mid-February. We've addressed the format of the meeting, drafted an agenda, and sent out our call to many organizations that have expressed interest in the project or that we would like to see a part of the effort.

The websites are a very important part of the social forum. Although I do not see my role and responsibilities as including "website updates" I have been coordinating some of the input of text and information with the Communications/Media working group, the Design Action Collective, and many other NPC members that are requesting access to updating various pieces of text. Also, I've helped to get users familiar with sharing their images and photographs on the site so that we can reflect the diversity of organizations on our front page with a rotating image gallery. Other updates that I have been responsible for include NPC applications voting, IST visa requests, online cultural submissions, NPC/OC online meeting registrations, and generally supporting the development, programming, and launch of the registration and organize.ussf2010.org functionality.

In an effort to keep close ties with the World Social Forum (WSF), as per the US delegation to the Montreal International Council (IC), I have been responsible for integrating USSF content management system technology on the WSF site participants.worldsocialforum.info. Each week I continue to meet with the Communications Commission of the IC in order to create opportunities for collaboration and strengthen our connections as part of my work on the IST and ICT.

Co-Chair of the ICT, Alfredo, and I are planning a trip to Detroit in February. I have been scheduling our itinerary with Detroit Local Organizing Committee and Anchor organization leaders. Related to this, I've been in contact with other USSF staff regarding the phone mail system. I have been researching and working towards implementing this infrastructure and gathering feedback and information from USSF staff.

Throughout this month as with all others, I continue to address support requests online, facilitate communication between all working groups and the ICT, outreach to potential new members of the ICT and Communications/Media, and read and respond to many different email requests.