Report from Mallory Knodel
National Technology Coordinator for the US Social Forum (USSF)
April 1 - 30, 2010

ADMINISTRATIVE & ONGOING

Answered emails and phone calls regarding registration, workshop and culture proposals. Supported ICT team to answer support requests. Coordinating Work with USSF Staff through weekly meetings. Supported staff requests for personal email accounts. Responded to support tickets online. Facilitated communications via the Translation Pipeline of the Language Access working group. Direct response to staff and organizer requests for fixes to online tools, training in use of online tools, etc. Facilitates the ICT team's collective response to staff/organizer requests and questions regarding ICT work. Presence on the following conference calls: Organizing Committee, National Planning Committee, Program Design Team, International Solidarity Team, ICT, People's Media Center, and Program/Culture. Coordinating work on registration support with local staff, Tdka. Helped create an online voting system for NPC applications.

International Outreach

Paris meeting with Communications Commission of the World Social Forum to focus on technology tools for the WSF, USSF, other forums, and Cochabamba CMPCC for 2010-11. Participated as supportive member of web team at the CMPCC in Cochabamba for live blogging, events, audio, and video streaming content. Connections to other team members will help in ongoing work for the USSF as well as technology implementation on USSF servers put into place. Prepared for the WSF Mexico event on alternatives to the crisis by proposing and organizing a 4 hour event on Technology and Social Movements as well as supporting the local organizing team with communications and Mexico Expanded programs.

People's Media Center

Helped facilitate meetings on the Organizing, Fundraising, Principles and Goals of the People's Media Center for finalized text into the printed and online program and for recruitment purposes. Finalized a budget and appeals letter with the help of Communications and Resources WGs. Worked on the technology for streaming video and webinars. Met with Mark Burdett to discuss the possibility and logistics of an open mesh network at the USSF. Drafted a proposal for an online media center associated with the physical media center for display of live and participant-generated content throughout the forum.

International Solidarity Team

Supporting the process for sending letters of invitation to international participants, answering questions through the shared email account, and acting as a liaison for the IST in conjunction with Louis Head and Jennifer Cox. Prepared for the WSF International Council meetings.

ABCs of the USSF

Drafted a letter to be sent to organizers of events that have requested to be included in the project for workshops. Solidified a team of 3 to respond and follow-up directly with the organizers of Dex events. Supported requests by PMA group on improving the website.