Activism and Tech Workshop
Activism and Tech
Power Up Your Organizing with Tech That Embodies Your Values
2-Day Virtual Workshop
Wednesday 1/24/2024 - Thursday 1/25/2024
1 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. PT
Registration for this workshop is now Closed.
Are you often the go-to tech person in your activist group or nonprofit, even if you think of yourself as non-technical? Do you find yourself worrying about the tools you're using, whether they're feeding into corporate databases or lacking security? Maybe the rapid pace of tech changes and the endless list of choices make your head spin.
You're not alone, and there's good news: you've found the right place!
Welcome to "Activism and Tech: Power Up Your Organizing with Tech that Embodies Your Values." This two-day workshop is designed for you and others like you – activists, organizers, and especially individuals from queer and BIPOC communities who are motivated to grasp the role of technology in social justice. No technical background needed.
Beyond learning to use tech tools, you can elevate your work through understandings of technology as a political instrument shaped by social, economic, and political forces. In this workshop, you'll delve into how activism and technology intersect, explore how to align tech decisions with your values, and strategize to make technology a powerful ally in your actions.
Ready to transform your relationship with technology in your activism work? Want to become more intentional, strategic, and effective with tech to drive change? Then this workshop is for you.
Join and power up your organizing. Together, we'll deepen our understanding of the tech landscape with confidence and purpose.
🎓 Workshop description
Technology is political. More than a means to an end, it has the power to either uphold or challenge existing power structures. In "Activism and Tech: Power Up Your Organizing with Tech that Embodies your values", a two day interactive workshop, we'll unravel this complex relationship. This workshop will help you make tech decisions that reflect your values, and offer context for broader understanding of technology's political implications. You'll learn how to strategize for a future where technology serves as more than a supporting tool, but also as a powerful ally in your actions.
"Activism and Tech" invites activists, organizers, and especially individuals from queer and BIPOC communities. No matter your tech skill level, this workshop aims to enhance your ability to use technology with purpose and strategy in your efforts to create change.
Note: A supplementary 26-word glossary is available at the bottom of this page that should give you a taste of this workshop's flavor. It covers terms used in this workshop and includes additional tech and activism terms you might find useful in your work. Feel free to refer to it as you read through the course details.
📅 Details
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET both days
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Language: English
Pricing: Sliding scale (outlined below)
🧩 Workshop Outcomes
In six hours, spread over two days, you'll delve into the following key subjects:
What is Movement Technology and how does it show up in my work? (even if I'm not aware of it)
- Analyze tech through a political lens to discover new ways to boost your work's impact and build collective power.
- Craft a strategy for tech decisions that match your values, especially when there are limited or (waaaaay) too many options.
How can tech be oppressive?
- Investigate how automation and data-centric business models are linked with the oppressive systems we aim to dismantle.
- Assess the current and emerging oppressive impacts of AI, tracing its historical political origins and examining active efforts to counteract its harms.
Steering towards tech futures true to our values
- Develop a hands-on approach to engaging with technologists, leading technology decision-making, and bridging the gap between technology and the real needs of your work.
- Apply principles of Movement Technology to connect your specific cause to wider systemic change efforts within tech.
✅ Preparing for Your Workshop Experience
To ensure that everyone has a comfortable and inclusive experience during "Activism and Tech", here are some guidelines. These will help you more fully engage with the workshop and get the most out of your experience.
Before
Before the workshop begins, here are some recommendations to help you prepare:
- In the weeks before the workshop, recommended reading and video material may be shared via email. This is meant to be supplementary rather than required to prepare for the workshop.
- Zoom will be used during this workshop (despite its problematic nature). If you're not familiar with Zoom, you can get acquainted with it before the workshop. Here are some quick tutorials to get you started.
- Make sure that Zoom is updated to the most recent version. It may take a few minutes, so don't save this for the last minute before logging in.
- If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out: CaptainCalliope@proton.me. Ensuring a rewarding workshop experience is the utmost priority.
During
This workshop is designed to be a relaxed and engaging learning environment. Here's what you can expect:
- Feel free to eat, drink, stretch, and move around during the workshop so that you'll be comfortable as you learn.
- Children and furry friends are welcome. Life happens, and we're all about inclusivity.
- You'll be invited to answer prompts in the chat, on slides and, and if you choose, out loud in the whole group. Your input is valued and active participation is encouraged.
- You're welcome to keep your camera off if you prefer. Again, your comfort is a priority.
- Everyone has different needs when it comes to taking breaks, so feel free to step away from your computer at any time if you need a personal break. Additionally, multiple breaks have been scheduled during both days to ensure everyone can rest and recharge.
Technical Requirements
To ensure a smooth and accessible workshop experience, please note the following:
- Join from a computer or laptop with a stable internet connection for the best experience. This will allow you to fully participate in all aspects of the workshop.
- Technical support will be available during the workshop to help with any issues.
- Minimize distractions as much as possible to stay focused and engaged. Find a quiet, comfortable space where you can concentrate.
- Zoom automatic captions will be available to make the workshop more accessible.
Recording and Afterwards
Here's what you can expect in terms of recording, post-workshop resources, and information security:
- The workshop will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers. This ensures that if something comes up, you'll still have access to all the workshop content.
- Live participation is encouraged for the best learning experience, but not mandatory.
- You'll also receive copies of the chat, slides, and collaborative documents we create during our learning.
- Additional resources such as readings, videos, and websites will be shared afterwards to provide starting points for further exploration and learning.
- While keeping a secure and respectful environment is the goal, the information security of all workshop attendees can't be guaranteed. Please use your best judgement when sharing personal and sensitive information during and after the workshop.
💌 Meet Your Instructor
I'm Lyre Calliope, your workshop facilitator and a lifelong "space cadet" committed to helping others navigate the intersection of activism and technology.
Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of weaving my passions for activism, technology, and nonprofits into meaningful roles. Some significant experiences: Between 2012 and 2016, I played a part in community building at Mozilla, collaborating on systems and initiatives that strengthened our fight against corporate dominance of the Internet. And in the aftermath of the 2016 election, my role as co-executive director of Securing Change had me working with a rapid response team providing vital tech security support to grassroots activists around the greater Boston area and beyond.
My time with PeoplesHub between 2020 to 2022 refined my skills as a facilitator, and I learned the art of developing and leading online Popular Education style trainings. I'm currently serving a three-year term on the board of May First Movement Technology, where I collaborate with a diverse and intergenerational group of movement leaders and technologists. Our aim is to expand access to technology that is developed and controlled by communities for May First's diverse membership and stakeholders.
As a queer Puerto Rican and lifelong trekkie 🖖🏼, I cherish and embrace the diversity and strength in my own identity. This constellation of identities and experiences not only informs my activism, it's the seed for my next venture, Space Cadets - a playground for exploration at the intersections of technology and society, where the voices, stories, and leadership of diverse communities illuminate paths of learning and creativity.
Space Cadets is a budding community where curiosity and collaboration converge. It's a platform where workshops serve as shared learning experiences, where other forms of activity and engagement may unfold, aligning with a vision of inclusivity, exploration, and potential.
In our upcoming workshop, I'll be more than your guide; I'll be a fellow explorer. We'll dive into the material together and shape an experience that's enriched by your insights, ideas, and a shared sense creativity.
I believe in our collective power to shape the world through imagination. The concept behind Space Cadets stems from my childhood, often lost in daydreams about the future. Grounding my activism in what I imagine to be possible has led to some of my most impactful experiences.
This workshop is about more than learning - it's about leading the way.
Your participation is essential to its success. Together, we're not just expanding our knowledge but actively shaping the future of activism and technology. Will you join?
Towards new horizons,
Lyre "Captain" Calliope
🌱 Sliding Scale Pricing
In order to make this course accessible to everyone regardless of financial situation, a sliding scale pricing model has been adopted inspired by the excellent Sliding Scale from AORTA. This model consciously distributes resources equitably, empowering participants to choose a price reflecting their access to wealth and money.
Rates for Individuals
| Rate Tiers | Price per Hour | Price for Training |
|---|---|---|
| Solidarity | $20 | $120 |
| Sustain | $45 | $270 |
| Full Cost | $75 | $450 |
| Redistribution | $115 | $690 |
Self-Assessment Questions
To help you choose your rate, reflect on these aspects of your financial situation:
Property and Citizenship Status
- Do you and your family own a home or land?
- Do you hold U.S. Citizenship?
Education and Career Opportunities
- Have you attended private education institutions?
- Do you hold an advanced degree?
- Have you attended or could you have the opportunity to attend college?
- Have you attended or could you have the opportunity to attend graduate school?
Financial Stability and Management
- Are your bills or credit cards set up on autopay?
- Do you have minimal to no debt?
- Do you have disposable income?
- Have you inherited or do you expect to inherit money or property?
- Does your income support only you and not other loved ones?
Support System and Health Care Accessibility
- Do you have a safety net composed of financially stable or wealthy family and friends?
- Have you or your family members ever faced difficulty in accessing or affording healthcare or health insurance?
Determining Your Rate
Based on your answers, here's how to think about which rate to choose:
- Mostly no answers → Consider the Solidarity rate at $20/hour, $120 for the 6-hour training
- More no than yes → The Sustain rate might be for you at $45/hour, $270 for the 6-hour training
- More yes than no → Consider investing in the Full Cost rate at $75/hour, $450 for the 6-hour training
- Mostly yes answers → The Redistribution rate could be your choice at $115/hour, $690 for the 6-hour training
By selecting a rate that reflects your finances, you help ensure the course is accessible to all. Your choice is private and won't affect your course experience. Join in making tech knowledge and training available to everyone.
Rates for Individuals Supported by an Organization
| Rate Tiers | Price per Hour | Price for Training |
|---|---|---|
| Solidarity | $100 | $600 |
| Sustain | $175 | $1050 |
| Full Cost | $350 | $2100 |
| Minimum Market Value | $500 | $3000 |
Solidarity Assessment
Choose this rate if your organization:
- Has an annual budget under $600,000
- Pays its highest staff member less than $75,000/year
- Has a Board composed mostly of low-income members
- Has received less than $5,000 in grant funding for technical or professional development work
- Can rarely financially support staff to attend professional conferences
Sustain Assessment
Choose this rate if your organization:
- Has an annual budget between $600,000 and $2 million
- Pays its highest staff member between $75,000-$125,000/year
- Has a Board composed mostly of low-income members
- Has received less than $10,000 in grant funding for technical or professional development work
- Can partially support staff to attend professional conferences
Full Cost Assessment
Choose this rate if your organization:
- Has an annual budget between $2 and $15 million
- Pays its highest staff member between $125,000-$175,000/year
- Has a Board where more than half are high-income members
- Has received over $10,000 in grant funding for technical or professional development work
- Can regularly pay for staff to attend professional conferences
Minimum Market Value Assessment
Choose this rate if your organization:
- Has an annual budget above $15 million
- Pays its highest staff member more than $175,000/year
- Has a Board composed mostly of high-income members
- Has received over $50,000 in grant funding for technical or professional development work
- Can regularly pay for staff to attend multiple professional conferences per year
By choosing a higher rate, you help make tech knowledge and training accessible to those who need it, regardless of financial barriers. Your course experience won't be affected by the rate you choose.
Register now, and contribute to a more inclusive tech landscape!
👍 Satisfaction Guarantee
Your satisfaction with the "Activism and Tech:" workshop is a top priority. This course is designed to support and enhance your work, and its quality is backed with confidence.
If you find a major gap between what was promised and your experience, you'll have a 14-day window after finishing the course to raise your concerns. If the issue can't be resolved, a refund might be possible.
To begin this process, send an email to CaptainCalliope@proton.me detailing what went wrong, along with any evidence of your course work. Every concern will be considered with care and objectivity. Please note that missing the live workshop won't qualify for a refund as a video replay and all materials will be provided.
Your success and satisfaction are vital, and this course's quality reflects a strong commitment to both. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out. Your input is not only welcome; it's crucial to the ongoing improvement of this course.
🎫 Limited Seats – Secure Your Spot for "Activism and Tech" Today!
This workshop is your launchpad to power up your organizing!
By registering, here's what you'll gain:
- A fresh perspective on how to apply technology to your social justice work.
- Strategies for aligning tech decisions with your values and practical goals.
- Deeper insights into the intersection of oppressive systems, automation, AI, and data-centric business models, and how they connect to your activism.
- Practical guidance on exploring and selecting tech tools that align with your organizing needs.
- Actionable approaches to expand the impact of your work across movements.
Spots are limited, register today!
Remember, technology is a powerful tool for change. Let's learn how to wield it together.
📚 A Glossary of Terms in Activism and Technology
This glossary provides a glimpse into the worlds of activism and technology. It both complements the themes of this workshop while also standing alone as valuable resource. Consider it a subtle high-five for your curiosity and dedication in exploring all the way to this page's end.
Activism and Movements
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Activism | The act of campaigning to bring about social or political change, often to promote fairness, equality, and equity. |
| Social Movements | Coordinated actions by groups of individuals advocating for change in societal, political, or economic systems as a response to injustices. |
| Digital Activism | Using digital platforms such as social media and secure messaging to drive social or political change. This can involve raising awareness, mobilizing people, fundraising, or coordinating collective actions. |
| Movement Technology | Using technology strategically to support and amplify social justice movements. This involves using and guiding the development of digital tools that align with the values of these movements, fostering collaboration, enhancing communication, and promoting liberation. |
| Open Source Software | Software that's freely available for anyone to access, modify, and distribute. This fosters collaboration, inspiring fresh ideas and community ownership. |
Justice Principles
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Community-Centered Design | A design approach that brings the community being served directly into the design process. This ensures their needs, perspectives, and aspirations are at the heart of decision-making, fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and solutions that hold real significance for the community. |
| Design Justice | A framework that advocates for the fair distribution of design's benefits and burdens; meaningful participation in design decisions; and the recognition of community-based design traditions. It challenges the privilege and power structures that use design to maintain oppressive systems, and seeks to create design processes that center those who are often marginalized by design. |
| Disability Justice | Advocating for dignity, equality, and rightful treatment of disabled individuals while confronting systemic obstacles. In the tech context, disability justice advocates for inclusive technology development, where digital tools honor the rights and requirements of disabled communities. |
| Tech Equity | The idea that technology should be accessible and beneficial for everyone, regardless of background or identity. This involves addressing disparities in tech access, promoting diversity within tech industries, and ensuring that technology serves the unique needs of all individuals and communities. |
Systems and Structures
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| AI (Artificial Intelligence) | The field of computer science dedicated to creating systems capable of performing tasks that usually require human intelligence. These systems operate based on algorithms and data, which can inadvertently reflect and perpetuate human biases and systemic inequalities. |
| Automation | A technological process that minimizes human intervention in various tasks. While it increases efficiency, it also raises concerns about job displacement and the need for new skills in the workforce. |
| Big Data | The gathering and analyzing of huge amounts of information, often used by companies to spot trends and make profit-driven decisions. While it allows for understanding trends and behavior in ways previously unattainable, it also raises worries about privacy, turning personal details into products, and reinforcing societal power imbalances. |
| Data-centric Business Models | Business strategies that heavily rely on collecting, analyzing, and using data for decisions and innovation. These models leverage technologies like Big Data and AI, and also pose major challenges related to data privacy and security. |
| Disruptive Innovation | An innovation that creates a new market and value network, eventually changing or even replacing existing ones. While fostering progress and competition, disruptive innovations can lead to job displacement and require rapid adaptation, potentially creating instability and exacerbating inequalities in existing industries. |
| Fediverse | A constellation of interconnected social media platforms offering alternatives to corporate-controlled ones, granting users control and communities influence. Built on a decentralized, community-driven foundation, it introduces fresh concepts to social media ownership and governance. |
| Oppressive Systems | Structures in society that uphold unequal power dynamics, often based on attributes like race, gender, class, and sexual orientation. These systems can be maintained and exacerbated by technologies that unintentionally reflect and reinforce societal biases. |
Data and Security
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Algorithmic Accountability | Ensuring transparency and fairness in algorithms to prevent biased or unfair outcomes, especially as algorithms play a larger role in shaping decisions and results. |
| Algorithm Bias | Systematic errors in a computer system that result in unfair outcomes, often favoring one group over others. |
| Cybersecurity | Protecting internet-connected systems, including hardware, software, and data, from digital attacks. Essential to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data, cybersecurity also plays a key role in safeguarding individual rights and privacy, and can be leveraged for or against community-centered goals. |
| Data Privacy | The right to have personal data kept safe and used responsibly. This involves protecting information from unauthorized access, ensuring consent for data collection, and providing control over how data is used and shared. |
| Holistic Security | Embracing a comprehensive safety approach that includes online risks, physical hazards, and mental and emotional well-being. This approach is collaborative, aiming to strengthen protection from all angles. |
Ethics and Digital Rights
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| AI Ethics | Delving into the ethical implications, societal impact, decision-making processes, and risks of bias linked to artificial intelligence. AI ethics compels us to scrutinize technology's societal outcomes, particularly in addressing biases that disproportionately affect marginalized groups. |
| Digital Rights | The human and legal rights that apply to the digital world. These rights ensure people can access, use, create, and share digital media or use computers and other electronic devices. They also protect against digital discrimination, spying, and censorship. |
| Net Neutrality | The principle that all internet traffic should be treated equally, without any discrimination or preference given to certain types of content, applications, or websites. |
| Open Web | Advocating for the internet as a global public resource that should remain open and accessible to all. This concept emphasizes the importance of net neutrality, open standards, transparency, and the freedom for users to control their own online experiences. |