Broadband allows many of us to connect to our government in new ways. Issues ranging from health care, to education, to our economy are being debated each and every day and it is important for members of Congress and their staffs to be able to hear from their constituents online.

One of NextGenWeb’s missions is to help the public, lawmakers, policymakers and their staffs learn how networks make the new, exciting applications and tools around broadband possible. That’s why we have joined with leadership in both parties to hold a series of interactive, educational workshops for Hill staff on how social media can help advance our digital democracy.

The Series:

March 27, 2009 – Republicans
April 6, 2009 – Democrats
Why Social Media Matters to You & Complying with Regulations
Learn the true demographics of social media and how it is influencing policy communications.

Republican Panel
Introduction by Regina Hopper, NextGenWeb
Shana Glickfield, Blogger, NextGenWeb
George Hadijski, House Administration Committee Franking Commission
Ryan Walker, Chief of Staff, Rep. Bob Latta (OH-5, Republican New Media Caucus)

Democrat Panel
Introduction by Regina Hopper, NextGenWeb
Brad Bauman, Communications Director, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH 17)
Rob Pierson, House Administration Committee
Shana Glickfield, Blogger, NextGenWeb

May 1, 2009
Monitoring Your Issue & Your District
Gathering and analyzing data in blogs, including identity, authority, and trends and how to distill that into actionable value for your boss and agenda.

Republican Panel
Regina Hopper, NextGenWeb
Katie Harbath, NextGenWeb
Patrick Ruffini, Engage DC
William Beutler, New Media Strategies
Nick Schaper – Director of New Media, Rep. John Boehner, OH-8

Democrat Panel
Regina Hopper, NextGenWeb
Shana Glickfield, NextGenWeb
Alan Rosenblatt, Center for American Progress Action Fund
Brad Bauman, Communications Director, Rep. Tim Ryan, OH-17
William Beutler, New Media Strategies

For a recap of the event please click here.

May 15, 2009
Blogging & Microblogging
Blogging best practices including legal resources, writing for blogs, adding multimedia, and promoting content.

Republican Panel
Katie Harbath, NextGenWeb
Aaron Brazell, Technosailor.com
Matthew Lundh, Director of New Media, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05)

Democrat Panel
Aaron Brazell, Technosailor.com

For a recap of the event please click here.

June 5, 2009
Social Networking & Online Community Building
Learn how to use social networking sites to solidify relationships and virally distribute information.

Republican Panel
Adam Conner, Facebook
Katie Harbath, NextGenWeb
Matt Lira, Director of New Media, Office of the Republican Whip
Nick O’Neill, Founder, AllFacebook.com
Todd Zeigler, Bivings Group and Pickens Plan

Democrat Panel
Adam Conner, Facebook
Nick O’Neill, Founder, AllFacebook.com
Whitney Phillips, Legislative Correspondent, Congressman Ed Perlmutter (CO-07)

For a recap of the event please click here

June 26, 2009
Viral Video & Virtual Town Halls
Using live streaming and video distribution to disseminate information and improve connection with constituents, including how to conduct a virtual townhall.

For a recap of the event please click here.

July 10, 2009
Mobile
How to make the most of connecting with constituents via mobile phones.

For a recap of the event please click here.

July 24, 2009
Government Transparency
A tour through sites that are tracking government activity.

For a recap of the event please click here