TakingITGlobal Proudly Presents:
The TakingITGlobal Dispatch!
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For the Months of March/April 2002 (Volume 2.2)
In This Issue:
1 -> Welcome to the Dispatch!
2 -> TIG Holiday Survey Report
3 -> Member Profile Updating
4 -> Register for the Youth Employment Summit!
5 -> Wrap Up!
~•~ 1. Welcome to the Dispatch! ~•~
Thank you for your support, interest and involvement with TakingITGlobal.
We now have over 4,000 members from 160 countries -- That's 1,300 more
members and 25 countries since the last issue of the Dispatch two months
ago! We hope that you will continue to play an integral role in involving
young people from Canada and in other parts of the world!
We're really excited about the results of the Holiday Survey [see section
2, below]. We will be looking for your input into how we implement many
of the ideas that were contributed by participants in the near future!
In friendship,
Martin Kuplens-Ewart,
Editor-in-Chief, TIG Dispatch
~•~ 2. TIG Holiday Survey Report ~•~
In December 2001, TakingITGlobal conducted a survey to better understand
how members feel about their experience with TakingITGlobal and how different
aspects of the organization can be improved. Over 120 members from more
then 50 countries responded to the survey and after reading through and
analyzing the responses we have put together a report, viewable online
(through the links at the end of this section) and summarised below.
Special thanks go to Jesse Desjardins, Susheela Nirmalan-Nathan, Karis
Malszecki and Derek Martin for their efforts in helping us prepare both
the survey and the ensuing report!
~•~
>> Question 1 <<
When you first heard about TakingITGlobal, what did you think that it was about?
Responses:
17% Felt that TIG was a forum for ideas and expressing their opinions;
14% Believed that TIG existed to connect young people on an international level;
17% Thought that TIG was an organization focusing on activism.
Quote:
"The name 'TakingITGlobal' made me think of something involving everyone
on our planet earth or rather something that matters to all of us. Then
I realized, as a matter of proof, that TakingITGlobal is an interesting
network of young people who care about their world/communities status
and want to do something about it." -Thierry Y. (Kenya)
Key Actions:
- A new section of the site is being developed to explain the benefits
of being a member of TIG.
- Development of a TIG Buddy system [Suggested by several members, including
one from Australia].
----------------------------------------------------
>> Question 2 <<
Why did you sign up as a member of TakingITGlobal?
Responses:
25% Felt the need to be part of something important or part of a community;
22% Wanted to contribute to, or make use of, the resources provided by
TIG;
14% Wanted to help out with youth-related projects.
Quotes:
"I signed up for some reasons. First, I need support from the different
youth activists and leaders from different countries. Second, I could
have access to knowledge resources available in the website. Third, I
could have a chance to meet and communicate with other young people around
the world. Fourth, I can have a chance to get informed about the latest
events and organizations." -Ryan S. (Philippines)
"To get well informed, exposed to new thinking, to be more creative,
to think globally and act locally, and assist others to be abreast with
issues and develop their talents." -Yamoah M. (Ghana)
Key Actions:
- TIG will be expanding its databases to include more content from outside
North America through working with volunteers and organizations based
in different parts of the world.
- Many members have expressed an interest in having a real time online
chat. In collaboration with Nation1 and Amakai, a multilingual chat program
is now available for TIG members to use. [Go to http://www.takingitglobal.org/community/chat.html
to chat!]
----------------------------------------------------
>> Question 3 <<
Now that you've explored TIG, is it different than you expected? If so, how?
Responses:
43% Felt that TIG had met their expectations;
38% Found their expectations exceeded.
Quote:
"It has a very modern, professional feel. Often, I find youth-run
organizations hard to swallow, full of theory and short on action. It
is truly impressive to see how TIG has developed over time." -Dave (Czech Republic)
----------------------------------------------------
>> Question 4 <<
What were your hopes/expectations of TakingITGlobal when you first signed
up? What are they now?
Responses:
29% Hoped to communicate with new people locally and internationally;
26% Wanted to make a difference, and get involved in social action projects;
9% Were looking for space to express themselves.
Quote:
"I thought that I might get to know people from different countries
with the same objectives. I wanted to share views with them on different
things, I also wondered how we could make the world to be a better place
to live at. My ambitions now are to help setting up TIG Germany."
-Sebastian S. (Germany)
Key Actions:
- There is a strong emphasis on people wanting to communicate with like-minded
youth. In order to enhance communication and greater awareness of different
cultures, TIG is working on a strategy to develop individual country pages
that will include specific information about each country, youth perspectives
on issues at hand there, featured organizations, events, members, and
projects there, and much more.
----------------------------------------------------
>> Question 5 <<
Tell us about your experiences with TakingITGlobal. How have you been
inspired? How have you been informed? How have you been involved?
Responses:
A whopping 37% of you were inspired by other TIG Members!
12% Have attended events.
Quote:
"Tell me how not to be inspired by TIG? Ideas, works, communications,
so many brilliant people in open interaction. The most important thing
is that these are not just words..." -Zorica V. (Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro)
Key Actions:
- The TIG article section has been completely revamped and turned into
an interactive online zine. New features include enhanced searching functionality,
polls, monthly topic-based issues, and space for illustration of articles
and essays. You can find it at http://www.takingitglobal.org/express/
----------------------------------------------------
>> Question 7 <<
How can TakingITGlobal do a better job of keeping you involved?
Responses:
21% Want to be kept informed, and want the newsletter improved;
(I hope we have gotten it right these last two issues!)
15% Would like to see events facilitated where members could meet;
13% Would like to see more topic-based work.
Quote:
"Maybe it would be great to have a more personal relation... I like
to see people I meet and talk to, more as a friend than an acquaintance.
I think a lot of times is better to have people help in more specific
things or projects." -Francisco P. (United Kingdom)
Key Actions:
- A few members have expressed that TIG help focus their efforts on specific
topics. In 2002, we plan to launch a series of collaboratively developed
online networks around topics such as Sustainable Development, HIV/AIDS,
ICTs and Digital Opportunities (LAUNCHED!) [http://ict.takingitglobal.org],
and Youth Employment.
----------------------------------------------------
>> Question 8 <<
What new features would you like to see at the TakingITGlobal.org web site?
Responses:
21% Would like to see improved communication tools on the site;
3% Would love to see member achievements featured.
Key Actions:
- TIG Instant Messenger exists and the functionality is being enhanced
(along with chat)
- A feature has been added to the events database to allow for uploading
of pictures from the event, and reviews by participants.
- A tell-a-friend tool has been added to help TIG members promote the
organization to their friends (http://www.takingitglobal.org/community/tellfriend.html)
~•~
This is just a summary of the full report, which includes much more feedback
from members, quotes, ideas, action, and more. You can find it online
here:
PDF version: http://www.takingitglobal.org/docs/survey1/survey1.pdf
HTML version: http://www.takingitglobal.org/docs/survey1/
Thank you to all of the members who took the time to share their thoughts,
criticism, and encouragement with us!
~•~ 3. Member Profile Updating ~•~
The TIG technology team has been busy creating graphs and charts that
will give us all a better idea of how the TIG community is balanced! With
the information currently available, we can determine that:
We know that 18% of the members for whom we have an age are between the
ages of 10 and 30 years old. Unfortunately, we can only account for the
age of 20% of our members!
Likewise with gender, we know the community has 755 male members and
515 female members, but unfortunately we cannot account for the gender
of over 50% of our members!
We hope to encourage geographically balanced participation, allowing
for maximum inclusion of young people from all countries, societies and
cultures! Similarly, the coordination teams need to ensure TIG country
sites and topical sites are relevant, engaging and found by target audiences.
To work towards these goals together, it is important to appreciate how
the community is currently balanced. An understanding of the TIG membership
means a more effective community and a more inspirational personal experience
for YOU!
Please visit your member profile and take a moment to fill in your birth
date, gender, location and interests! You now have the opportunity to
keep your age and gender details private, or allow them to be viewed by
TIG members in your public profile!
General Information: http://www.takingitglobal.org/community/profile.html
About You: http://www.takingitglobal.org/community/profile.html?section=aboutyou
Your Interests: http://www.takingitglobal.org/community/profile.html?section=interests
Your Projects: http://www.takingitglobal.org/community/profile.html?section=projects
<{if $TIGUser}Your public profile: http://www.takingitglobal.org/community/profile.html?memberid={$TIGUser}{/if}
~•~ 4. Register for the Youth Employment Summit! ~•~
TakingITGlobal has been working in partnership with the Youth Employment
Summit (YES) for the past six months. Our collaboration has included a
redesign of the YES website (visit http://www.youthemploymentsummit.org)
and developing an Online network for the YES network known as the Global
Alliance for Youth Employment which can be found at the website. YES and
TIG will continue to work together to develop resources for young people
to be involved in addressing the youth employment challenge.
The Youth Employment Summit will be hosted by the Government of the Arab
Republic of Egypt. YES2002 will take place in the historic Library of
Alexandria from September 11 to 15, 2002. Over 2000 people will participate
in the Summit of which 1000 will be youth. TakingITGlobal will host a
workshop and a few meetings for TIG members that will be present at the
Youth Employment Summit. This will be a wonderful opportunity for TIG
members to participate in creating solutions to the global Youth Employment
challenge, as well as to meet with the Founders of TIG, some of the TIG
staff and lots of TIG members from various countries that will be at YES2002.
Be a part of the action in Alexandria! YES2002 is a unique opportunity
for youth to meet at a global conference as partners in creating global
change. REGISTER NOW for the Youth Employment Summit by going to
http://www.youthemploymentsummit.org/register.html
~•~ 5. Wrap Up! ~•~
Your interest, support and involvement with TakingITGlobal is what allows
this community to grow and encourage more young people to be inspired,
informed and involved every day!! Thank you for being a member!
Stay connected,
The TakingITGlobal Coordination Team
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