The role of the Internet as a platform for collective action grows. A survey released this week by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and Life Project shed light on the social side of the Internet. The results offered insight into the differences between the connected and the disconnected, revealing that Internet users are more likelyRead… Read more »
In a recent discussion about civics and civil society, one of my colleagues referenced a line by Rap artist, Nasir Jones, a/k/a Nas from his song, “Hate Me Now” that states: People “fear what they don’t understand, hate what they can’t conquer.” On this day of national recognition for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., hisRead… Read more »
Mom always said, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” She didn’t mean that we couldn’t disagree, discipline or even tell the truth – but there is a way to communicate that isn’t derogatory, hurtful or intentionally inflammatory. The sarcasm or brutal honesty characterized by The Simpsons or American Idol, isRead… Read more »
This blog entry was originally posted on http://acronymonline.org by GovLoop member, Caron Beesley Green buildings, green transportation, green computing, in fact all things green, is a hot trend. In the public sector, “green” isn’t just the ideal – “green” is mandated. Since the Obama administration moved into the White House, green legislation and “green IT’Read… Read more »
So I’ve read (or am currently reading) two pretty interesting books: If We Can Put a Man on the Moon: Getting Big Things Done in Government by William Eggers and John O’Leary and The Power of Pull: How Small Moves, Smartly Made, Can Set Big Things in Motion by John Hagel, Lang Davison and JohnRead… Read more »
True Confession: Yes, I’m bureaucrat. I prefer the term, civil servant — though that implies work is civil, doesn’t it? Au contraire. If I could give you one visual image to describe my experience in the government, it would be this one of Catherine Zeta-Jones from the 1999 movie “Entrapment”: No. I don’t look atRead… Read more »
Several years after I retired (1974) the Internet had grown sufficiently and I subscribed to what became AOL. I joined an online ‘social’ group of older adults; time passed. One day, the group received an email from a middle school teacher in a northeastern state. She wrote that her students were working on a classRead… Read more »
Here’s an upcoming APWA course that GovLoop members who are involved in the transportation, civil engineering, or utility function of government may want to attend. It is very timely given the stimulus funding for infrastructure improvements. “Right-of-way…your way or the highway. Are you in control of your right-of-way? Do telecoms drill through your sewer manholes?Read… Read more »
A local newspaper has published the inspiring story of Richard Fitzgerald, an employee of the town of Arlington, Massachusetts. His is truly a case of “you do what you can and you do what you have to.” Who is Arlington’s longest-working town employee? – Arlington, MA – The Arlington Advocate “Known as Fitzy to hisRead… Read more »
Next week, we’ll know who the next President will be. And he’ll have to hit the ground running to deal with the mega-challenges he’ll face. His first task will be to put in place his team of executives to run agencies that oftentimes dwarf even Fortune 50 companies. How do they get up to speed?Read… Read more »