Open Government – Embargoed in Alberta
Is the Embargo dead? Some say yes, clearly not everyone. In the case of Lynda Steele and Global Edmonton, and the three minute violation of the Government of Alberta (GoA) Embargo of the Ted Morton, Minister of Finance and Enterprise, and the Budget 2010 press conference, I can understand the strict stance by the Public Affairs Bureau to enforce adherence to such an agreement. Understanding and agreeing with the actions taken are two different things however.
Also, many probably know by now, this wasn’t entirely Lynda Steeles’ fault by the way, someone else is culpable within Global for the release of certain information. Further, I like the folks over at CTV, and yet people should know they played a key role in this situation too.
By the way, in an Open Alberta, Ted Morton and his team would have been collaboratively and transparently working with citizens on the budget. In an Open Alberta, we might be able to contribute to the budget directly via a wiki. There’s less need for the work behind closed doors, big political announcement machine if we’ve all worked on the budget together and there has been lots of open discussion about priorities along the way. However, that type of environment doesn’t sit well with people who like to have control.
I clearly understand what an Embargo is and the need for accountability in support of that agreement. However, evidence continues to suggest that the GoA hierarchy, indeed many governments and bureaucracies are not ready for the current digital reality. In Seattle, I listened to Douglas Shuler, of Evergreen College speak about “civic intelligence.” The “command and control, vending machine” government model is ill-prepared for the social web, is ill-prepared for our collective “civic intelligence.” The difference is how some are being proactive and how others are clinging onto the last few strands of the government processes established in the previous century.
Lynda Steele and Global Edmonton et al, are banished by the PAB for the rest of 2010. Along the same lines of accountability, does that mean that Mack Male (@mastermaq) has been banned or had something more severe happen as a result of action taken by the Government of Alberta for a security breach of the Budget 2010 website a day before the Embargoed press conference? Notwithstanding the fact that it was so simple to do, I’m not aware of anything happening there regarding that hack. I’m not advocating that something should happen to Mack, just asking a question about an incident related to accountability on several levels and from different angles.
For example, how should we as Albertans hold the GoA accountable for their inability to secure “our” digital assets? The argument offered by Bart Johnson, Director of Communications for Alberta Finance and Enterprise who said in an Edmonton Journal article, “It’s a concern that someone should be able to access a site that is secure, but I want to emphasize that all he got a look at were blank pages and placeholders.” Just because the pages were blank doesn’t alleviate the issue of poor GoA Internet security processes and the inequality of reactions to said breach. At the risk of comparing apples and oranges to some degree, which infraction and reaction was worse?
What we really need to do is analyze how not only this government works, but how others do as well. We as citizens need to tell decision- makers what we want from them. Explain how we want information delivered to us or how we want to access that information from government or its agencies. Explain to them that they need to get up to speed on the social web, integrate it into processes and commit to working side by side with us at more than just the odd stakeholder engagement town hall.
We need to explain that a $70M contract to one large vendor is actually moving away, some might say backwards, from an Open Government direction. We need to ensure that Assistant Deputy Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Ministers, MLA’s, MP’s, Mayors, Councillors, and other government officials actually learn the difference between the social web, real-time web, and Web 2.0 and how to deploy in all situations as appropriate.
Experience suggests that much of the decision-making, elected official hierarchy is passing judgement in the dark on this issue. Not just in our province at all three levels of government, but in other provinces and countries for that matter. In addition to our work performed inside government, the signs are all around us. Only a few decision-makers show up for ChangeCamp Edmonton, Social Media for Government Conference only had Mayor Glenn Taylor participate, Open Gov West had a few elected officials in the room for opening statements and announcements, but the majority moved on pretty quickly and didn’t attend the panel discussions or breakout sessions. This is a continuing trend and it needs to change for countless reasons.
Below is a series of images drawn by public servants about their perception of their work environment as it relates to the use of social media, you can draw your own conclusions about how they feel…
Updated August 21, 2010
10 Edmonton Trust Agents
The temperature outside on this lazy Sunday suggests that I should talk about the summer of 2009 coming to an end. Feels like fall outside and it has put me in a bit of a reflective mood. Something that most outside of my immediate family don’t know about me is that I’m extremely grateful to be alive and to have the life that I do and I mention this daily. My wife Tracy, daughter Sydney are everything to me and I’m fortunate that they understand who I am and put up with my many short-comings.
I’m also extremely grateful for my business life. Many know that fusedlogic has grown over this past year and has had the opportunity to work with several really terrific clients, we’re a long way from the one person operation I started in 2000. Beyond being grateful for the business, the people on the team are the true engine and I’m very grateful for their hard work and commitment. Paul Ney, Evan Adnams, Genoa Adnams, Troy Wason, Debra Ward, work tirelessly to do their best for our clients and it shows in the social media work we do.
This week in particular, I’m grateful for all of the people who supported the Edmonton International Fringe Festival.
Notables were John Wilson (@SirThinks) who wrote a great blog post and along with several others, @cyclopsphoto, @pixelens, @livingsanctuary to name a few, took copious amounts of photographs these last 10 days to visually document our Fringe in their own way on flickr for the world to see. By the way, thanks to them the Edmonton Fringe now has the largest Fringe related flickr group with over 1300 images all telling a story about Edmonton and the Fringe. This is just one of the terrific things we were able to accomplish with the help of the community, not to mention the amazing ticket sales this year topping over 90,000. The way these #yegphotographers provided their perspective was terrific and it was really cool to be a part of. Also, I feel like I know these folks a lot better as a result of that experience which I’m grateful for. Thank-you for all of your support.
Earlier today I was reading Chris Brogan’s blog post Take 10 Minutes – Meet a Trust Agent.
I began to reflect on the various people and relationships out in the world that I have had an opportunity to cultivate and wondered what it took in my mind to be a Trust Agent? Below are 10 in the Edmonton area that I’d like to mention.
Social media is about conversations and relationships. Beyond that, the most important key to social media is a person’s ability to “build and maintain trust.” Trust is critical in all areas of life, but especially online within chosen networks or micro-tribe(s). The Edmonton region is a bustling micro-tribe and if you spend any amount of time online with Edmonton on your mind, you’ll no doubt recognize these people below identified by their Twitter handle below and in no particular order. They all stand out as Trust Agents in my mind for one reason or another.
@ZoomJer, is a local Realtor. Jerry is also a rock solid member of society. He goes out of his way to create opportunities to help and support others. In particular his #yegicecream events for @RLPShelterFdn are a big hit. Jerry protects those he respects and holds accountable in his own way those who step out of line. I first met Jerry when he attended one of my seminars well over a year ago and he and I maintain our conversation regularly. Jerry is a “Zoom” family man first, strong digital citizen second, all of which makes his real estate business thrive as a result. A true example of what Chris Brogan calls a “Trust Agent.”
@KenChapman46 is one of the most politically active digital citizens I know on the planet Earth. Beyond politics and policy, Ken is a proponent for justice and equality. You will always know where you stand with Ken as you’re measured based on your actions. When it comes to politics, Ken understands how it affects our community and holds those accountable for their statements, actions or inaction as the case may be. I have found Ken to be a loyal, trust-worthy person, who’s friendship I appreciate. If you want to know what’s going on in politics days before it happens? Ken is your man. That’s not to say he speaks out of turn, rather that his blog and predictions are typically accurate or not far off the mark.
@ChrisLabossiere is a local businessman, one of the founders of ProTraining.com he is an active digital citizen. Chris was recently voted onto the board of one of our clients, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation and through that appointment he’s continually looking for ways to make Edmonton better. My experience working with him on Change Camp and other ventures has taught me that Chris isn’t shy when it comes to sharing his opinion, and thank-goodness because he’s usually bang on in his assessment of the situation. Sometimes he takes too many shots at himself, but Chris is a stand-up guy. Frankly Chris, you should make a run for city council.
@Out_Inc is empowerment personified. Shauna keeps herself very busy with her successful marketing company Out Enterprises Inc., and we almost had a chance to work together on a project. I look forward to the day when a project comes along that makes sense for us to collaborate on. Beyond her work life what makes Shauna a “trust agent” in my mind is her endless source positive energy and giving spirit. Shauna is well known for coordinating with ZoomJer on charitable events and that sets her apart. Not everyone steps up to organize and inspire others to give, Shauna does it often and she does it well.
@jdarrah is a digital gentleman among citizens, the fact that he believes strongly in building a enviable quality of life for others to enjoy in his community through his work at the City of Edmonton (#yeg) and privately is just one of the character traits that sets him apart. I’ve come to know Jason better through our work on Change Camp and he’s top notch. A smart and diplomatic voice in any room is in part what makes Jason a trust agent.
@bingofuel is one of Edmonton’s unique characters. Always fun and unexpected, Adam blogs, helps run the very successful OilersNation and works with the Dub5 crew. As if that wasn’t enough he recently started the unusual podcast, the Unknown Studio with @Scottybomb. Mr. Fuel is pure digital citizen and a proponent of Edmonton through and through. He’s searching for your pride Edmonton and he’s not going to stop until he finds it.
@livingsanctuary is a quiet, yet powerful voice for her micro-tribe via the community paper Boyle-McCauley News. Paula readily lends her voice in support of issues, events and causes that need her help. A proponent of equality, justice and humanity, Paula is a trusted source of positive energy. I must admit that I have not spent time off line getting to know Paula and yet her activities online make her stand out in a positive way. Thank-you Paula for your support.
@CaryWilliams is a key member of Edmonton’s NextGen group. I first met Cary in person at Michael Janz’s IDEAfest, I called him “Astroboy” all day (ask him why) and our conversation continues to grow from there. I interviewed Cary regarding NextGen and social media for my column in the Edmontonians Magazine, unfortunately it was replaced by a request from the publisher to cover another story. Sorry Cary, maybe we can try that again in the future. Cary is a “trust agent” because he believes in community roots, he believes in innovation and he believes in the empowerment of Gen Y.
@mastermaq is all about Edmonton, if there’s news to be had about the city, he’s all over it and likes to break the news first. Due to his many media appearances, Mack is one of Edmonton’s most recognized digital citizens and he keeps everyone well informed about Edmonton via his blog. He’s also not afraid to take a stand or offer his opinion, as we witnessed during the Edmonton City Centre Airport debate. Another reason why you’ll recognize Mack is because it seems that he is at every social event happening around town, those he isn’t organizing himself that is. Mack, you’re also someone who I think should run for city council.
@GriffMLA is about the truth, about being honorable and a voice for others. Having had a few opportunities to meet with Doug and learn more about Doug and what it’s like to be an MLA, it’s clear to me that not only would I personally not want the job. I also admire those who step-up, in the same way I admire goaltenders in hockey, they have to be just a little “off” to want to have players wire pucks at their head. Doug is a very dedicated family man and digital Albertan, it’s clear he loves this province and offers a sound voice in the chaotic world of Alberta politics.
Edmonton’s online community has many folks who may be considered Trust Agents.
This is not a list made to the exclusion of others, you’re just as cool on this list as you are off it. The true purpose was to take Chris Brogan’s lead and help identify certain meaningful traits in others that I have met online. Too often people are given too much credit because they know something about the technology. Chris Brogan along with Julien Smith’s work on Trust Agents is a game-changing look at how people and trust are the real power components behind social media.
Another personal motivation for this list was so that I express my gratitude and start a conversation by recognizing in a small way the good work that others in the community are doing and how that influences every day life for the rest of us.
Lesley Primeau calls Twitter a waste of time.
Organizations and individuals alike are considering, debating, even mocking social media, as was evident on 630CHED‘s Lesley Primeau show tonight.
Why would anyone put their brand at risk when the common perception by an outsider like Primeau is that the social web is a complete waste of time? I wish I could say that the majority of people out there understand social media, with the clear exception of Edmonton talk show host Lesley Primeau. However, if I was to say that I’d be in serious error, (not the first time). The fact remains that Primeau and those like her are still the majority, although many continue to open their minds to the possibilities. Read more
fusedlogic makes Techvibes Top Ten
Wow, so this is what it’s like to do a blog post! I feel so rusty, so out of touch with my WYSIWYG editor. Mack Male, (@mastermaq) sent me this tweet this morning on Twitter that inspired me to dust off the blogging brain and do a short post.
mastermaq @fusedlogic Check it out, you were one of the top 10 referrers to Techvibes last month! http://bit.ly/153SH
Alain Saffel (@alainsaffel) has been doing such a great job keeping up with our content, so I can focus more on growing fusedlogic within our industry of social media, make sure to give him a shout out when you can.
By the way, I appreciate you supporting the change in fusedlogic voice on our blog, I will commit to blogging more, we’ve just been really busy negotiating on a new office space, (still pending) and many other deals that will grow our company considerably once they’re in place and of course we continue to work hard on current client projects, followed up by having a tea party with my wife, daughter and special guest “Barbie” and I’m actually exhausted at the end of a 12- 14 hr day.
Having said that, this cool bit of information has perked me right up this morning. Thanks Mack and thanks to all the cool guys at techvibes.com for posting that information, you guys do great work.
One final thought: besides a few direct emails and DM’s on twitter, we’d sure appreciate some feedback and comments on the Guy Kawasaki interview pieces. Even if you hate it, please let us know (especially if you hate it). We’re always working hard to be the best we can, in part, your feed back drives that innovation and polish. Thanks in advance for your time and effort on that.
By the way, the Seth Godin interviews are next…
Walter Schwabe
