I’m currently at the Grassroots Use of Technology conference and will be live blogging throughout the day morning. Please know that these are raw notes – more in depth reflect later in the day.

Speaker: Nick Jehlen, Creative Director of the Action Mill
Title: “Think Outside the Toolbox”

“What are we trying to do? Change the word.”

We need to remember that things can change…
“Be the change you want to see in the world [Gandhi]”

Now that we know what we need to do, where do we go to do it??
Go to the “common spaces”. It is easier to collaborative and to spaces (both online and physical) where like people are. The challenge and the power is taking action in “the commons” = a space/location where everyone (like/unlike) exist.

Tools: “Before you start planning you need to put down the tools”
Put down the hammer! More on this later.

The steps:

1. Define your goal
2. Map your path (to achieve the goal)
3. Plan your first step on that path (plan action)
4. Then, find the right tool(s) to take that very first step

[Don't restrict yourself to the tools!]
If you reach for the tool, before you have defined your goal, action and path, then chances are that you are going to limit or impede the success of that goal.

Campaign examples:

1. IVAW
2. Turn Your Back on Bush
3. Enough Fear

How do you tell the story??

• Don’t forget to not only tell the story about the “action”
• Tell the story of “why” the action is being taken (the journey to the action)

Remember:

• Define “the action”
• Implement the action within “the commons”